Sport

Russian skier Alexander Bolshunov became the second in the classic race at the Tour de Ski

Alexander Bolshunov. Photo: Vesa Moilanen / Lehtikuva / Reuters

Russian skier Alexander Bolshunov won silver in the classic 15 km time trial at the first stage of the Tour de Ski in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. The correspondent of “Lenta.ru” informs about it.

Finnish skier Iivo Niskanen became the winner of the race. He covered the distance in 34 minutes and 52.7 seconds. The Russian finished second, 19.3 seconds behind him. Norway's Paul Golberg finished third, 25.2 seconds back.

Two more Russians finished in the top ten. Ivan Yakimushkin finished fifth, and Denis Spitsov finished seventh.

Earlier, on December 29, Russian skier Natalya Nepryaeva won bronze in the classic 10 km time trial among women. She covered the distance in 27 minutes and 34.5 seconds. The winner was the representative of Finland Kerttu Niskanen. Ebba Andersson from Sweden is in second place.

The court released from custody blogger accused of propaganda of terrorism Yuri Khovansky

Photo: David Frenkel / Kommersant

Blogger Yuri Khovansky, accused of propaganda of terrorism, has been released from custody. The St. Petersburg court changed the measure of restraint for the blogger, determining him to prohibit certain actions. This was reported on the evening of December 29 by “Fontanka”.

According to the journalists who are near the courthouse, friends and fans of Khovansky are chanting: “Yura, come out!” It was decided to release the blogger from the pre-trial detention center today, but he was forbidden to use the Internet, leave the house from 10 pm to 10 am, as well as any cultural events. As for the family and the girl, the court allowed Khovansky to communicate with them. Also, the court forbade Khovansky to communicate with the press, so he will not give comments after leaving the courthouse.

It is noted that the ban on certain actions will be in effect until January 8.

Earlier, the investigation had requested a corresponding decision. The prosecutor explained that Khovansky could no longer hide from the court, since his foreign passport had been handed over to the investigation. In addition, according to him, due to the coronavirus pandemic, restrictions have been introduced on entry to and exit from the country. Also, the investigator said that youtuber can no longer destroy the investigation materials, because they were protected during the computer forensics.

Prior to this, Khovansky in court named a possible reason for the softening of the position of the investigation. The blogger stated that it became impossible to deny the apparent expiration of the statute of limitations for his crime.

Blogger Yuri Khovansky has been in jail since June 2021. He was charged under Part 2 of Article 205.2 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Public calls for terrorist activities, public justification of terrorism or propaganda of terrorism”). The reason was the performance by a YouTuber of a song about the terrorist attack in the theater center on Dubrovka in 2002 during the musical “Nord-Ost”. Two videos in which Khovansky sings about the terrorist attack appeared on YouTube in the profile of an anonymous user under the nickname Yuri in 2020. The investigation claims that the video was recorded in 2018, Khovansky and his defense, in turn, insist that he performed the song in 2012, before the appearance of part 2 of Article 205.2 in the Criminal Code.

The manager of the Russian national hockey team Ilya Kovalchuk on retirement: this door did not close

Photo: Globallookpress.com

The manager of the Russian national hockey team Ilya Kovalchuk answered the question of retirement. His words are quoted by Match TV.

“I didn’t close this door,” said the athlete. Kovalchuk recalled that there are many hockey players who have not officially announced their retirement, for example, Sergei Fedorov or Pavel Bure.

On December 18, it was reported that Kovalchuk was appointed general manager of the Russian national team. However, on October 19, it became known that he took the position of manager of relations with players of the National Hockey League (NHL).

Kovalchuk played in the NHL for several clubs for over ten years. The last team of the forward was Avangard Omsk, with which he won the Gagarin Cup in the spring of 2021.

As part of the national team, Kovalchuk became the Olympic champion in 2018. The athlete also won gold medals at the World Championships in 2008 and 2009.

Форвард сборной Украины Довбик: не рассматриваю варианты перехода в российские клубы

Артем Довбик. Фото: @tema_dovbyk

Нападающий «Днепра-1» и сборной Украины по футболу Артем Довбик порассуждал о вариантах продолжения карьеры. Об этом сообщает Zbirna.com.

Шансы на переход в российский клуб форвард оценил как нулевые. «Помню, кто-то написал, что меня приглашают в российский клуб, так отец сразу набрал и спросил: “Я что-то не понял?” Даже не рассматриваю такие варианты», — заявил Довбик.

Ранее в среду, 29 декабря, Довбик получил приз лучшему футболисту чемпионата Украины по итогам 2021 года. В нынешнем сезоне он забил 14 мячей в 17 матчах первенства страны.

В ноябре президент Украинской ассоциации футбола (УАФ) Андрей Павелко заявил, что в сборной страны не будет выступающих в России игроков. Он подчеркнул, что такую позицию занимает главный тренер национальной команды Александр Петраков.

The head of Chechnya Kadyrov said that he is not included in the inner circle of Russian President Putin

Photo: @groznytv

The head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov, is not included in the inner circle of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The head of the region spoke about this in a joint Instagram broadcast with his press secretary, Minister of Press of Chechnya and director of the Grozny State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company Akhmed Dudayev.

According to Kadyrov, he communicates with the country's leadership as the head of the region. “I don't even belong to the inner circle of the president and the prime minister. Yes, I have connections. I think that I am tolerated, forgiven and supported thanks to the former friendly relations between Akhmat-Khadzhi [Kadyrov] and Vladimir Putin, ”the head of Chechnya said.

He also stressed that he calls the president only if necessary. “And he answers, supports, makes the necessary decisions on social and economic issues. As the head of state, he is always in touch with all regional leaders, ”Kadyrov added.

In October 2020, the head of the republic said that Putin has great respect for the Chechen people and has done a lot to restore and develop the region. Kadyrov also repeatedly called himself an infantryman of the head of state and noted that he was ready to carry out any of his orders.

Skier Natalya Nepryaeva won bronze in the classic race at the Tour de Ski stage

Natalia Nepryaeva (center). Photo: Alexey Filippov / RIA Novosti

Russian skier Natalya Nepryaeva won bronze in the classic 10 km time trial as part of the first stage of the Tour de Ski race in Lenzerheide, Switzerland. The results are available on the website of the International Ski Federation (FIS).

The athlete covered the distance in 27 minutes and 34.5 seconds. The winner was the representative of Finland Kerttu Niskanen with a score of 27 minutes and 4 seconds. Ebba Andersson from Sweden is in second place, 18.2 seconds behind the leader.

On December 28, Nepryaeva had a conflict with Norwegian Tiril Veng in the sprint quarterfinals at the first stage of the Tour de Ski. At a distance, the rival of the Russian woman ran into her skis, after which Nepryaeva fell sharply behind and finished second. After the race, the Russian woman shouted at her opponent, who smiled in response.

The second stage of the Tour de Ski will be hosted by Germany. It will take place from December 31 to January 1.

Press Secretary Peskov: Putin and Lukashenko began one-on-one talks in St. Petersburg

Photo: Presidential Administration of Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin has begun one-on-one talks with his Belarusian counterpart Alexander Lukashenko in St. Petersburg. This was reported to RIA Novosti by a Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

The bilateral meeting is taking place at the Constantine Palace. The leaders of the two countries are expected to discuss topical issues of Russian-Belarusian cooperation, including defense and economic interaction.

Earlier on December 29, Putin personally picked up Lukashenka in a Mercedes SUV.

On December 28 and 29, an informal CIS summit is being held in St. Petersburg. The leaders of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are taking part in the event. The initiator was Putin.

UFC champion Sterling announces fight with Petr Yan in March 2022

Photo: @funkmastermma

American UFC bantamweight champion Aljamein Sterling has announced the timing of the fight with Russian mixed style (MMA) fighter Pyotr Yan. His words are quoted by MMA Junkie.

The athlete said that the UFC is considering holding a fight in February, March or April 2022, but he himself is set exclusively for a date in March. “I hope we will split the octagon in the March tournament. This would be ideal. I am already preparing, ”he stressed.

On December 26, Sterling announced that he was ready to fight Ian, and called him a dirty rat. He also drew attention to the problems with doping in Russia.

Ian and Sterling were scheduled to fight for a second fight at UFC 267 on October 30, but the American withdrew from the fight, citing health problems. The rival of the Russian was Sterling's compatriot Corey Sandhagen. Ian won by decision to become interim UFC bantamweight champion.

In March, Jan dropped the league title against Sterling. The Russian inflicted an illegal knee blow to the head of a lying opponent and lost by disqualification.

Danish radio: CIA conducted secret experiments on children with schizophrenia

Photo: Dado Ruvic / Reuters

The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) allegedly conducted and sponsored secret experiments on children with schizophrenia, many of whom were adopted orphans or lived in orphanages. This became known to Danish Radio.

The experiments in question were carried out in the early 1960s. They were performed on at least 311 Danish children. First of all, the CIA is accused of supporting such operations, allegedly carried out in the Copenhagen city hospital. The studies reportedly looked at the link between schizophrenia and inheritance or environment.

At the same time, the children themselves were not told what kind of research they were participating in – even after their completion. They learned about what happened only in 1977, when the Danish psychiatrist Find Schulsinger published a dissertation detailing the results of the experiments. A spokesman for the Danish Welfare Museum, Jakob Knage Rasmussen, said this was the first documented case of foster children “being used for research purposes.” He stressed that this is contrary to the 1947 Nuremberg Code.

CIA officials and Danish authorities have not yet commented on this information.

Baltika footballer Artem Meshchaninov on life in the Czech Republic: every city has ideal roads

Artem Meshchaninov. Photo: Wikipedia

Artem Meshchaninov, defender of the National Football League (FNL) club Baltika, compared the standard of living in Russia and the Czech Republic. His words are quoted by Sports.ru

The footballer considered that the infrastructure in small Czech cities is better developed than in Russian ones. “In every city there are ideal roads, there are no crazy new buildings, everything is somehow uniform. Their destroyed five-story building looks better than our new building. If a building collapses, it will be immediately patched up. There is no such thing that they will simply hang green garbage, such as reconstruction for 20 years, ”he said.

Meshchaninov stressed that the scale of the Czech Republic and Russia is difficult to compare, but the difference in the standard of living must be corrected. “I play football, and there are people who have studied and should think about it. Or everything will go to hell, ”he summed up.

Meshchaninov played for the Czech clubs Banik from Ostrava and Znojmo. In the summer of 2019, he moved to Baltika. The transfer cost of the defender is estimated at 650 thousand euros.