MOSCOW: Russia emerged as a crucial power broker in the crisis in far-away Venezuela this week when Washington accused Moscow of convincing President Nicolas Maduro not to flee to Cuba.US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Maduro had a plane on the tarmac ready to fly to Havana when "the Russians indicated that he should stay".Moscow hit back, dismissing the claim as fake and accusing Washington of supporting a coup "that has nothing to do with democracy" by backing opposition leader Juan Guaido.Moscow has its reasons for standing behind Maduro - he's a rare ally in Latin America and Russia has poured billions into the Venezuelan economy.But analysts say Russian President Vladimir Putin is also playing the long game, hoping to use Venezuela as leverage in his global tug-of-war with Washington."Russia is seeking to translate its influence over Maduro - which is in fact not absolute - into an opportunity to have dialogue with the United States," Tatyana Stanovaya, head of … [Read more...] about Putin challenges Washington in Venezuela power play
Power play
Washington tells Russia to stop playing games over detained ex-US marine
MOSCOW: The United States told Russia on Tuesday (Apr 30) to stop playing games over a detained former US marine accused of espionage and said it feared his long isolation increased the risk of Moscow trying to extract a forced confession.The comments from the US Embassy in Moscow were the sharpest yet from Washington in the case of Paul Whelan, who was detained in a Moscow hotel room on Dec 28 and accused of espionage, a charge he denies.Whelan, 49, holds US, British, Canadian and Irish passports, and if found guilty could be imprisoned for up to 20 years.His case has dragged already dire US-Russia relations lower, as has that of another American, prominent investor Michael Calvey, who is under house arrest while being investigated on embezzlement charges.US Ambassador Jon Huntsman visited Whelan in a Moscow jail on Tuesday. Following this Andrea Kalan, a spokeswoman for the embassy, said the situation surrounding Whelan was beyond a joke."Today marks 124 days … [Read more...] about Washington tells Russia to stop playing games over detained ex-US marine
Power Hitters take bronze
Power Hitters take bronze Joey Villar (The Philippine Star) - May 1, 2019 - 12:00am MANILA, Philippines — PLDT Home Fibr blew a 2-0 set lead and four match points but battled back from the brink of defeat to repulse Cignal, 25-19, 25-18, 20-25, 20-25, 19-17, for the bronze that glittered like gold in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix at the Filoil Flying V Center in San Juan last night. The Power Hitters pounced on the HD Spikers’ flawed set play to force a 17-all count then went to Grace Lazard to pull through in a pressure-packed, back-and-forth third-place battle that could easily pass as a title clash for its thrill, intensity and unpredictability. Lazard turned a chance ball into a crucial point after forcing the 12th and last deuce in the fifth then foiled Ana Artemeva’s last attack to deliver the victory for the Power Hitters. Outplayed by the power-hitting Erica Wilson in the third and fourth sets, … [Read more...] about Power Hitters take bronze
Sogard gives Blue Jays jolt of Nerd Power
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By Mark Zwolinski Sports Reporter Mon., April 29, 2019 Eric Sogard is swinging a very hot bat for the Blue Jays these days, but that doesn’t change much for the 32-year-old veteran — one of the nicer people you will meet in the game. Sogard is hitting .415 as the Jays get set to open a six-game road trip with a three-game series against the Angels, starting Tuesday night in Anaheim. It isn’t just the batting average that stands out, though. The soft-spoken infielder’s on-base percentage sits at .478 with a .732 slugging mark for a stratospheric 1.210 OPS — albeit in just 41 at-bats. The numbers are eye-catching nonetheless for a player who doesn’t strike anyone as powerfully built. Among MLB regulars, only Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger is batting over .400 as April draws to a close. Sogard doesn’t qualify, having played just 10 games after a late start, but he’s made the most of his opportunities. He had at … [Read more...] about Sogard gives Blue Jays jolt of Nerd Power
Spain’s Socialists on course to regain power but talks await
MADRID: Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez looks set to regain power after his Socialists overcame a historic challenge by right-wing nationalists in elections on Sunday (Apr 28), a result he portrayed as a morale booster for the European Union.The Socialists gained seats in one of Spain's most hotly contested elections in decades, which featured the rise of far-right party Vox whose ultra-nationalist campaign echoed political trends across Europe where traditional parties have ceded to anti-immigration and eurosceptic forces.However, the rise of Vox also splintered the right-wing vote, further fragmenting Spain's political landscape and playing into the hands of the Socialists which won an almost 50 per cent increase in seats."The Socialists have won the general election," Sanchez declared, smiling broadly as he addressed jubilant supporters at party headquarters in Madrid. Outside, hundreds celebrated in the street, waving red party flags and chanting "Long live Spain" and … [Read more...] about Spain’s Socialists on course to regain power but talks await