Author: Daily Sabah With Reuters
The Kremlin on Thursday said it was seeking an objective, impartial investigation into the crash of an Azerbaijan Airlines plane last month, which killed at least 38 people. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has demanded justice and transparency from Moscow over the disaster, which he says was the result of accidental damage by Russian fire. Russian President Vladimir Putin made a rare public apology for the incident, but the Kremlin statement did not say Russia had shot down the plane, only noting that a criminal case had been opened.
Borussia Dortmund defenders Waldemar Anton and Almugera Kabar’s availability for Friday’s Bundesliga showdown against Bayer Leverkusen is in doubt due to an illness, coach Nuri Şahin revealed. “We’re dealing with a bit of a flu wave, so we’ll have to wait and see,” Şahin said during Wednesday’s press conference. Adding to Dortmund’s defensive concerns, Niklas Süle is sidelined with an injury, and midfielder Pascal Groß will miss the match due to suspension following his red card in last month’s 3-1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg. Şahin acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting that facing reigning champions Leverkusen, unbeaten in the league since…
Borussia Dortmund defenders Waldemar Anton and Almugera Kabar’s availability for Friday’s Bundesliga showdown against Bayer Leverkusen is in doubt due to an illness, coach Nuri Şahin revealed. “We’re dealing with a bit of a flu wave, so we’ll have to wait and see,” Şahin said during Wednesday’s press conference. Adding to Dortmund’s defensive concerns, Niklas Süle is sidelined with an injury, and midfielder Pascal Groß will miss the match due to suspension following his red card in last month’s 3-1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg. Şahin acknowledged the challenge ahead, noting that facing reigning champions Leverkusen, unbeaten in the league since…
Carlos Alcaraz has already proven himself one of the brightest stars of his generation, capturing Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces. Now, the 21-year-old Spaniard is set to face the final challenge of his young career at the Australian Open. If he lifts the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup in Melbourne, Alcaraz will become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, joining legends like Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, solidifying his place among tennis’ all-time greats. Alcaraz has not advanced past the quarterfinals in his three…
Carlos Alcaraz has already proven himself one of the brightest stars of his generation, capturing Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces. Now, the 21-year-old Spaniard is set to face the final challenge of his young career at the Australian Open. If he lifts the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup in Melbourne, Alcaraz will become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, joining legends like Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, solidifying his place among tennis’ all-time greats. Alcaraz has not advanced past the quarterfinals in his three…
Ukrainian drones attacked the Russian cities of Saratov and Engels, where Russia has an air base for its fleet of strategic bomber planes, the regional governor said on Wednesday. Governor Roman Busargin said the two cities had been subject to a mass drone attack and there was damage to an industrial enterprise. He did not say if the air base at Engels had been hit.
Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Wednesday he had secured Slovakia’s gas supply during a visit to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow last month, just before Ukraine halted the transit of gas from Russia at the start of 2025. “I needed to secure at a minimum gas for Slovakia’s domestic consumption – which we have secure,” Fico said in a video on Facebook. Fico did not provide more details and the government office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Fico has accused Kyiv of damaging Slovakia by not extending a transit deal for Russian gas…
Aryna Sabalenka is the clear favorite to win a third consecutive Australian Open title later this month, but the Belarusian’s rise to world No. 1 came through never underestimating her competition. Undefeated at Melbourne Park since a fourth-round loss to Kaia Kanepi in 2022, the 26-year-old began her season by claiming her 18th career WTA title in Brisbane on Sunday. Sabalenka knows, however, that her winning streak and ranking will mean little to the other 127 women in the draw. To claim a fourth major title on Jan. 25, she’ll need another monumental effort. “Every time you’re out there, you…
Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios has made a surprise return to Australia’s Davis Cup squad for their upcoming showdown against Sweden at the end of the month. At 29, Kyrgios has been called up by captain Lleyton Hewitt to join world No. 8 Alex de Minaur, Jordan Thompson, and Thanasi Kokkinakis in the Australian team for the match in Stockholm on Jan. 31 and Feb. 1. Kyrgios was selected despite struggling with fitness issues since 2022 due to knee, foot, and wrist injuries. His participation in the Australian Open, which begins Sunday, remains uncertain. He cast doubt on his ability…
Former Asian champions Guangzhou FC will miss the 2025 season after the Chinese Football Association denied the eight-time Chinese Super League (CSL) winners permission to compete due to ongoing financial troubles. Once a powerhouse of Chinese football and a symbol of a decade of extravagant spending, Guangzhou is one of three clubs – including CSL side Cangzhou Mighty Lions and third-tier Hunan Xiangtao – ruled ineligible for the upcoming campaign. “The club has made substantial efforts to secure a place in the professional league for the new season, but despite raising funds, historical debts have left us falling short,” Guangzhou…