Latest news with #Kremlin-linked
Kuwait Times
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
World Boxing say ‘not correct' to have named Khelif in statement
PARIS: World Boxing on Wednesday apologized to the Algerian federation saying it had been incorrect to name boxer Imane Khelif in a statement announcing mandatory gender testing to determine the eligibility of male and female athletes wanting to take part in its competitions. The international federation said it was introducing the policy after the furor surrounding boxers including women's welterweight gold medalist Khelif at last year's Paris Olympics. World Boxing will organize the boxing competition at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after being granted provisional recognition by the International Olympic Committee. World Boxing said it had informed the Algerian Boxing Federation Khelif would have to undergo the test if she wanted to compete at the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands on June 5-10. But the federation rowed back on having named Khelif in their statement. 'The president of World Boxing does not think it was correct to have a named a specific athlete in a statement issued last Friday,' the body said. World Boxing, it continued, 'has written personally to the president of the Algerian Boxing Federation to offer a formal and sincere apology which acknowledges that greater effort should have been made to avoid linking the policy to any individual'. Under the new policy, all athletes over 18 that want to participate in a World Boxing owned or sanctioned competition will need to undergo a PCR, or polymerase chain reaction genetic test, to determine what sex they were at birth and their eligibility to compete. The PCR test is a laboratory technique used to detect specific genetic material, in this case the SRY gene, that reveals the presence of the Y chromosome, which is an indicator of biological sex. The test can be conducted by a nasal or mouth swab, or by taking a sample of saliva or blood. National federations will be responsible for testing and will be required to confirm the sex of their athletes when entering them into World Boxing competitions by producing certification of their chromosomal sex, as determined by a PCR test. Khelif's success at the Paris Olympics, along with that of Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, sparked a raging gender eligibility debate, with high-profile figures such as US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk weighing in. Khelif and Lin were disqualified from the International Boxing Association's 2023 world championships after the organization, the long-standing governing body of amateur boxing, said they had failed gender eligibility tests. The IOC has severed links with the IBA over financial, governance and ethical concerns. The IBA is led by the Kremlin-linked Russian Umar Kremlev. Last month the IOC provisionally recognized World Boxing as the body to oversee the sport at future Games. — AFP
France 24
04-06-2025
- Health
- France 24
World Boxing say 'not correct' to have named Khelif in sex test statement
The international federation said it was introducing the policy after the furore surrounding boxers including women's welterweight gold medallist Khelif at last year's Paris Olympics. World Boxing will organise the boxing competition at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after being granted provisional recognition by the International Olympic Committee. World Boxing said it had informed the Algerian Boxing Federation Khelif would have to undergo the test if she wanted to compete at the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands on June 5-10. But the federation rowed back on having named Khelif in their statement. "The president of World Boxing does not think it was correct to have a named a specific athlete in a statement issued last Friday," the body said. World Boxing, it continued, "has written personally to the president of the Algerian Boxing Federation to offer a formal and sincere apology which acknowledges that greater effort should have been made to avoid linking the policy to any individual". Under the new policy, all athletes over 18 that want to participate in a World Boxing owned or sanctioned competition will need to undergo a PCR, or polymerase chain reaction genetic test, to determine what sex they were at birth and their eligibility to compete. The PCR test is a laboratory technique used to detect specific genetic material, in this case the SRY gene, that reveals the presence of the Y chromosome, which is an indicator of biological sex. The test can be conducted by a nasal or mouth swab, or by taking a sample of saliva or blood. National federations will be responsible for testing and will be required to confirm the sex of their athletes when entering them into World Boxing competitions by producing certification of their chromosomal sex, as determined by a PCR test. Khelif's success at the Paris Olympics, along with that of Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, sparked a raging gender eligibility debate, with high-profile figures such as US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk weighing in. Khelif and Lin were disqualified from the International Boxing Association's 2023 world championships after the organisation, the long-standing governing body of amateur boxing, said they had failed gender eligibility tests. The IOC has severed links with the IBA over financial, governance and ethical concerns. The IBA is led by the Kremlin-linked Russian Umar Kremlev. Last month the IOC provisionally recognised World Boxing as the body to oversee the sport at future Games.
Kuwait Times
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
World Boxing requires Imane Khelif to undergo new gender test
PARIS: World Boxing announced on Friday it will introduce mandatory gender testing to determine the eligibility of male and female athletes wanting to take part in its competitions. The international federation said it was introducing the policy after the furor surrounding boxers including women's welterweight gold medalist Imane Khelif of Algeria at the Paris Olympics last year. World Boxing will organize the boxing competition at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics after being granted provisional recognition by the International Olympic Committee. World Boxing said it had informed the Algerian Boxing Federation that Khelif would have to undergo the test if she wanted to compete at the Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands on June 5-10. 'World Boxing has written to the Algerian Boxing Federation to inform it that Imane Khelif will not be allowed to participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup or any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes sex testing,' it said in a statement. Under the new policy, all athletes over 18 that want to participate in a World Boxing owned or sanctioned competition will need to undergo a PCR, or polymerase chain reaction genetic test, to determine what sex they were at birth and their eligibility to compete. The PCR test is a laboratory technique used to detect specific genetic material, in this case the SRY gene, that reveals the presence of the Y chromosome, which is an indicator of biological sex. The test can be conducted by a nasal or mouth swab, or by taking a sample of saliva or blood. National federations will be responsible for testing and will be required to confirm the sex of their athletes when entering them into World Boxing competitions by producing certification of their chromosomal sex, as determined by a PCR test. Khelif said in March: 'For me, I see myself as a girl, just like any other girl. I was born a girl, raised as a girl, and have lived my entire life as one.' The 26-year-old is targeting a second gold medal at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles after her triumph in Paris. Her success, along with that of Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, sparked a raging gender eligibility debate, with high-profile figures such as US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk weighing in. Khelif and Lin were disqualified from the International Boxing Association's 2023 world championships after the organization, the long-standing governing body of amateur boxing, said they had failed gender eligibility tests. The IOC has severed links with the IBA over financial, governance and ethical concerns. The IBA is led by the Kremlin-linked Russian Umar Kremlev. Last month the IOC provisionally recognized World Boxing as the body to oversee the sport at future Games. — AFP
Newsweek
31-05-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Russia's Economy Facing Triple Threat
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Russia's economy faces the triple threat of a banking crisis, companies forgoing dividend payouts and a sharp downturn in growth as the sanctions-hit country experiences continued turbulence due to President Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The Kremlin-linked Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting (CMASF) has warned of problems in the banking sector which include an increased likelihood of a run on banks, although it said a full-blown crisis has not happened yet. The CMASF has told Newsweek that a volatile stock market was one factor contributing to jitters. Newsweek has contacted Russia's Finance Ministry for comment. This stock image from January 11, 2025, shows notes of Russia's currency, the ruble. This stock image from January 11, 2025, shows notes of Russia's currency, the It Matters Russia's economy has so far weathered much of the western-led sanctions that were aimed at punishing Putin for his aggression and starving his war machine. However, relatively decent growth fueled by Putin's record military spending has been marred by inflation and a worker shortage impacted by those fleeing the draft and troop losses in Ukraine as experts warn of longer terms problems for the economy. What To Know The CMASF said in a report this week there is an increased likelihood of "a systemic banking crisis" in Russia. Such a crisis would involve at least one of three things; a run of the banks by depositors, non-performing loans exceeding 10 percent of total banking assets, or large-scale bank recapitalizations exceeding 2 percent of the country's GDP. None of those conditions have been met so far, but the risks are growing, it said. In emailed comments to Newsweek, the CMASF said a sharp increase in the volatility of the main index of the Russian stock market (MOEX) is a good indicator of greater economic uncertainty people feel. This week, Russia's stock market took a sharp dive following the threat by President Donald Trump of new sanctions and his jibe after Moscow's drone and missile barrage of Ukraine that Putin was "crazy." The CMASF also told Newsweek a sharp increase in the ratio of money supply to the monetary base reflects the increasing pressure on the liquidity of the Russian banking system. These factors taken together can increase vulnerability and the likelihood of banks experiencing "cash gaps". Fight and Flight In April, the CMASF warned there was an increased possibility of "depositor flight" or a run on the banks. This was caused in part by the prospect of an economic downturn due to Russia's Central Bank setting a key interest rate of 21 percent to curb inflation of 10.2 percent amid warnings this will stifle lending and investment. Russian Firms Forego Dividends It comes as the boards of two dozen Russian companies advised against paying out dividends to shareholders due to declining export revenues and sanctions. State statistics agency Rosstat said that in 2024, Russian companies generated total earnings of 30.4 trillion rubles ($381.1 billion) down 6.9 percent compared with 2023, or a 15 percent drop when adjusted for inflation. Firms in mining and energy are among those foregoing dividend payments. such as Gazprom, Norilsk Nickel, NLMK and Severstal, but other could follow suit, the Vedomosti business daily reported. The outlet reported that the suspension of dividends is linked not only to worse market conditions but also to the high cost of borrowing. Boris Grozovski, an expert on Russia's economy at the Wilson Center think tank, told Newsweek in January that the high key interest rate had put Russian companies in a very difficult position. Rising costs, higher energy tariffs, higher gasoline costs, higher wages, higher transportation and logistics costs, meant that net profits are decreasing, he added. Growth Slump As corporate borrowers are struggling to service their debt and more households accumulate bad loans, Rosstat said last week that growth in the first quarter of 2025 was only 1.4 percent. This is three times less than 4.5 percent in the final quarter of 2024 and almost four times less than 5.4 percent for the same period last year. The Russian economy faces not just a slowdown, but a likely recession, independent outlet The Bell reported, adding that latest official data suggests the economy could dip into negative growth as early as this summer. What People Are Saying Center for Macroeconomic Analysis and Short-Term Forecasting: "The current situation is characterized by the 'resonance' of several negative signals and trends indicating an increase in macro-financial risks." What Happens Next Although GDP growth has slowed, much depends on whether there is a peace deal in Ukraine which could see Trump restore trade between the U.S. and Russia. Kyiv and its allies want Washington to maintain economic pressure on Russia and U.S. lawmakers are drawing up a new list of possible sanctions, adding to anticipation on whether this could force Putin to the negotiating table.
Mint
20-05-2025
- Business
- Mint
From weapons and oil to financial institutions: UK hits Russia with 100 sanctions as Trump-Putin call yields no progress
The United Kingdom has announced a sweeping package of 100 new sanctions against Russia, just a day after a high-stakes phone call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin failed to produce a breakthrough on a ceasefire in Ukraine. With Moscow showing no signs of de-escalation, Britain and its European allies are ramping up economic pressure in a bid to curtail Russia The latest measures include restrictions on the supply chain of Russia's military, particularly weapons systems such as the Iskander missile, which the UK says has been used indiscriminately against civilian areas in Ukraine. The UK has also sanctioned 14 additional members of the Kremlin-linked Social Design Agency (SDA), a key player in Russian disinformation campaigns. Senior SDA figures had previously been targeted in an earlier sanctions round. In a move to further cripple Russia's economic resilience, 46 financial institutions accused of helping Moscow evade previous sanctions have been added to the blacklist. The St Petersburg Currency Exchange and the Russian Deposit Insurance Agency are among those now subject to restrictions. The UK also turned its attention to the so-called 'shadow fleet' — tankers used to bypass the G7-imposed $60 per barrel oil price cap. Eighteen more ships used to transport Russian oil covertly have been sanctioned in an effort to choke off one of the Kremlin's key revenue streams. With Washington yet to act, European leaders pressed ahead. 'We have repeatedly made it clear that we expect one thing from Russia — an immediate ceasefire without preconditions,' said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul in Brussels. As Russia rejected that demand, Wadephul warned: 'We will have to react. We also expect our U.S. allies not to tolerate this.' European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen confirmed a further sanctions package is in the works. 'It's time to intensify the pressure on Russia to bring about the ceasefire,' she posted on X. The lack of immediate US sanctions following the Trump-Putin call has irritated European allies. France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot declared: 'Let us push Vladimir Putin to put an end to his imperialist fantasy.' Trump, who has repeatedly promised to end the war in 24 hours if reelected, portrayed his two-hour call with Putin as progress, saying Russia and Ukraine are ready to negotiate. But officials in Kyiv and Brussels disagree. This new sanctions package is part of a broader effort by the UK and its allies to increase the cost of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, now in its third year. The move comes as European nations push for stronger international unity on the issue, amid frustration over the limited response so far from the United States. 'We urge [Putin] to agree a full, unconditional ceasefire right away so there can be talks on a just and lasting peace,' Britain's Foreign Minister David Lammy said, while calling the Russian leader a 'warmonger.' Russia, for its part, rejected the new wave of pressure. 'Russia will never bow to ultimatums,' Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said, reiterating that Moscow is willing to continue talks based on its own terms. Russia has stated that the 'ball is in Kyiv's court,' but Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders remain wary, accusing Moscow of using diplomacy to delay while continuing its attacks.
