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MOSCOW: A French cyclist detained after trying to enter Russia’s Far East will be held in jail until at least next month, Russian state media reported Wednesday, citing a local court.
French media reported that Sofiane Sehili was arrested after crossing the Russian border with China illegally while attempting to break the record for the fastest endurance cycle from Lisbon to Vladivostok.
The RIA Novosti news agency reported that a court in Russia’s Primorye region had ordered him held in pre-trial detention until October 4.
Citing the court’s press service, it did not say what Sehili had been charged with.
It said the hearing took place at the start of September, but was reported by Russian officials only on Wednesday.
A member of a government-linked prison monitoring body who visited Sehili in jail told AFP the cyclist had a Russian e-visa but had “tried to cross the border on foot at a checkpoint only accessible for Russian and Chinese citizens.”
“Then he went to another crossing, where it is forbidden to cross on bike, you need to go on train or bus,” Vladimir Naidin from the Primorye region’s public monitoring commission told AFP via telephone.
He said Sehili was in good health but was struggling to communicate with officials in the prison facility given the language barrier.
He was being held in a cell with another inmate.
“We are monitoring everything closely and are treating him the same way we would any Russian citizen,” Sehili said.

HONG KONG: LIV Golf will return to Hong Kong in 2026, with HSBC announced as the event’s title sponsor.

The newly named HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong will take place from March 6-8 next year at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling and will continue in 2027 as part of a multi-year agreement.

This is the first title-sponsored tournament in LIV Golf’s history, following HSBC’s earlier designation as the league’s first global banking partner. The partnership is positioned to enhance its stature and expand its impact across Asia.

“Hong Kong welcomed LIV Golf with extraordinary enthusiasm,” said LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil, adding the partnership “elevates this marquee event” and aligns with their “shared values of innovation, accessibility, and global impact.”

The 2026 tournament will see 54 of LIV’s top players competing in team and individual formats over three days. Ticket waitlists for hospitality and general admission are now open at LIVGolf.com.

Following successful editions in 2024 and 2025, the Hong Kong leg has become a standout fixture on the league’s calendar. In 2025, Sergio Garcia secured the individual title and led Fireballs GC to victory, following Abraham Ancer’s win the year prior — marking back-to-back triumphs for the team at Fanling.

“The first two editions of LIV Golf Hong Kong … were incredibly successful with record numbers of fans travelling to the city from the Greater Bay Area and far beyond,” said Andy Kwok, captain of the Hong Kong Golf Club. He said the club was proud to bring LIV Golf to the region.

Kwok confirmed the event’s return for both 2026 and 2027, calling it a long-term collaboration that reflected the club’s ambition to grow the game and elevate Hong Kong’s profile on the global sporting stage.

Barry O’Byrne, HSBC International Wealth and Premier Banking CEO, said the sponsorship “reflects our commitment to advancing Hong Kong’s global presence” and allowed the bank to offer exclusive experiences to clients while supporting the growth of the sport.

International stars set to return include Garcia, Jon Rahm, Bryson DeChambeau, Joaquin Niemann, Cam Smith, Phil Mickelson, and Kevin Na. The event will be broadcast live on AXN Sports.

In addition to the on-course action, fans can expect a vibrant festival atmosphere with live music, interactive experiences and community engagement. Advance ticket sales for HSBC customers will open soon.