Russia approves extra $50mln in subsidies for Sochi OlympicsDecember 25, 2013 - 16:01 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - With less than six weeks to go until the start of the Winter Olympics in Sochi, the Russian cabinet approved almost $50 million in extra subsidies for the Games' local organizing committee on Wednesday, Dec 25, according to RIA Novosti. No reason was given for the extra 1.6 billion ruble injection, which will be put towards the estimated $7 billion cost of hosting the Olympics themselves, rather than the vast infrastructure costs that have taken the Games’ total costs to around $50 billion. Total government subsidies for the organizing committee now stand at 13.85 billion rubles ($420 million), although the organizing committee also draws revenue from sponsorship as well as contributions from state-owned companies. The Olympics will run from February 7 through 23. Related links: Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. |