Sochi

A former Russian pornstar has declared her intentions to stand against Vladimir Putin in the 2018 Presidential elections.

32-year-old Elena Berkova, who lives in the northwest city of Murmansk, released a video on her Instagram stating her intentions and outlining her policies.

The Russian President, 64, slipped trying to take the puck from a rival and ended up flat on his back.
He skidded on the ice and ended up falling sideways – to the gasps of the crowd.
He was soon back in action for his team of former pros and businessmen for the match in at the Bolshoy Ice Dome in the city of Sochi, which hosted the Winter Olympics in 2014.

Russian tourism representatives have called for the launch of cruises between Sochi and Istanbul in a bid to further revive tourist ties in the Black Sea, a leading Turkish sector association has said.     

Another key demand from Russia was the maintenance of security and safety measures for Russian tourists visiting Turkey. 

Russian rescuers found Dec. 26 the first parts of the Syria-bound military plane that plunged into the Black Sea, as officials said they do not suspect terrorism as the reason for the crash that killed 92 people on board.

Turkish businessmen have experienced a range of hardships since the outbreak of the crisis with Russia, triggered by the downing of a Russian jet by Turkish F-16's on Nov. 24 - including arrest, transportation to Russian internment camps and deportation.

Greece and Russia are discussing the possibility of cooperation on tourism, said Deputy Foreign Minister responsible for International Economic Relations Dimitris Mardas on Friday when speaking to Praktorio 104.9 FM.

The Black Sea resorts of Varna, in Bulgaria, and Sochi, in Russia are the best budget flight destinations for Russian tourists who want to spend summer holidays with their children, TASS reported on Wednesday.

US Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for crucial talks in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi on May 12 amid tensions with Moscow over Ukraine, both sides said.

Russia has designated Sochi's Olympic site and the annexed Crimean peninsula as gambling areas on Wednesday, in a bid that casino revenues will boost their development.
      
Under the law signed by President Vladimir Putin casinos will be legal in some areas of the former Olympic park in Sochi, where Russia hosted the Winter Games in February.
      

The Russian tourists would prefer to go on vacation in Sochi and Crimea, rather than in the Bulgarian sea resorts, shows an analysis of the Green Life real estate company.