Formula One has stated that it will not be possible to schedule a race in Russia under the prevailing circumstances.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has forced governing bodies of various sports to rework their plans for the year.
European football's governing body Uefa earlier decided to move the Champions League final from St Petersburg to Paris, while home games of Ukrainian and Russian club and national teams competing in Uefa competitions will be played at neutral venues "until further notice".
The Russian Grand Prix had been scheduled for September 25, but Formula One said Sochi won't be part of the calendar.
“We are watching the developments in Ukraine with sadness and shock and hope for a swift and peaceful resolution to the present situation,” F1 said in a statement. “Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances.”
Four-time F1 champion Sebastian Vettel had said on Thursday he will not race in Russia, while reigning champion Max Verstappen offered his support to Vettel while not revealing whether he would skip the event.
The cancellation of the Russian GP brings Formula One's calendar back down to 22 races from a planned record 23-round schedule.
But the sport, which pulled off 17 races in the pandemic-hit 2020 season and held 22 races last year, has options it can pick to fill the spot vacated by Russia, after a number of venues held races as Covid-19 stand-ins over the last two seasons.
F1 acted after CEO Stefano Domenicali chaired a crisis summit with its governing body, the FIA, and the sport's team bosses on Thursday night.
It is unclear at this stage if the race will be replaced, but Turkey's Istanbul Park has been mooted as a contender to fill the now vacant slot on the calendar.
This was due to be the last Russian Grand Prix in Sochi which has hosted the grand prix since 2014. The race is due to move to Saint Petersburg next year.
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Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters
The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.
Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.
A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.
The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.
The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.
Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.
Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment
But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
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4.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m
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5pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,950m
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