Baltic Black Sea Defence Alliance

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

The Baltic-Black Sea defence alliance will complement the Crimean platform and protect Europe's eastern borders.On 23 August Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggested creating a security alliance between the countries that have access to the Baltic and Black Seas. Ukraine has come up with similar initiatives before: on 5 December 2014, the Alliance of Baltic-Black Sea Nations was established in Kyiv with the main goal of fighting against Russia's imperial policy and liberating the occupied territories of Ukraine and Georgia. But given Putin's full-scale war against Ukraine and the total militarisation of the Russian Federation, such a proposal takes on a completely different meaning: no country neighbouring Russia can feel safe anymore. This is the meaning of the proposal voiced by Zelenskyy. The Baltic-Black Sea defence alliance should strengthen the defence potential of the CCE countries (in fact, turning them into a "mini-NATO") and anticipate potential risks and threats from Russia. The cha...

Kazakh President urges greater cooperation between BRICS and Central Asia

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has addressed the BRICS summit in South Africa, in his capacity as chair of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. It promotes security, economic and political cooperation between Russia, China and most countries in Central and South Asia. Speaking from Astana by video link, the President said the SCO and BRICS could combine their efforts in key areas where they shared the same interests and priorities, writes Political Editor Nick Powell.In his speech, President Tokayev stressed that they were meeting at a time of mounting tensions in the international arena, marked by extensive political pressure, confrontation and the widespread use of sanctions. He said that Kazakhstan, as one of the founding members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, is determined to use its time in the chair to transform it into a more effective organisation able to meet these challenges.Given the interests and priorities shared by BRICS and the SCO, the President propose...

The algorithm: how Russia and its allies impose their views on the West

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

Mistaken is the one who believes that with the beginning of Russia's large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Kremlin's hybrid aggression has completely ceased. No, it is taking on active forms and remains relevant for many hotspots. Especially for the Southern Caucasus, a place of high importance for Russia, where resides one of its few allies - Armenia - writes Yevhen Mahda.Stian Jenssen, Director of the Private Office of the NATO Secretary General, has become a household name in Ukraine this week. While fame comes in many forms, this Alliance official has opted for a rather rapid ascent. His public suggestion that Ukraine could cede territory in exchange for guaranteed NATO membership is a dangerous and cynical ploy. Jenssen quickly backtracked on his words, effectively undermining his own position, but the damage was done.There are several other factors that make this statement worthy of attention:-Jenssen, like other NATO officials, did not have the formal authority to speak on beh...

Brewers host the Padres on home winning streak

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

San Diego Padres (61-69, fourth in the NL West) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (72-57, first in the NL Central)Milwaukee; Sunday, 2:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Padres: Michael Wacha (10-2, 2.63 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 85 strikeouts); Brewers: Adrian Houser (5-4, 4.28 ERA, 1.46 WHIP, 75 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Padres -121, Brewers +101; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Milwaukee Brewers will try to keep a five-game home win streak going when they face the San Diego Padres.Milwaukee has a 72-57 record overall and a 37-27 record in home games. The Brewers are 26-12 in games when they did not give up a home run.San Diego has gone 26-36 in road games and 61-69 overall. The Padres have the eighth-ranked team slugging percentage in the NL at .408.The teams meet Sunday for the seventh time this season. The Brewers lead the season series 5-1.TOP PERFORMERS: Christian Yelich has 30 doubles, two triples and 16 home runs while hitting .282 for the Brewers. Willy Adames is 13-for-39 with a...

Cubs face the Pirates with 2-1 series lead

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

Chicago Cubs (68-61, second in the NL Central) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (58-72, fourth in the NL Central)Pittsburgh; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cubs: Javier Assad (2-2, 3.12 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 53 strikeouts); Pirates: Bailey Falter (1-7, 4.53 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 46 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cubs -123, Pirates +103; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs lead 2-1 in a four-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.Pittsburgh has a 58-72 record overall and a 32-35 record at home. The Pirates have gone 23-8 in games when they hit at least two home runs.Chicago is 68-61 overall and 33-31 on the road. The Cubs have gone 32-16 in games when they hit at least two home runs.The teams meet Sunday for the 10th time this season. The Cubs lead the season series 8-1.TOP PERFORMERS: Jack Suwinski leads the Pirates with 21 home runs while slugging .436. Ke’Bryan Hayes is 14-for-43 with three doubles, two home runs and four RBI over the past 10 games.Cody Bellinger...

Phillies look to sweep 3-game series over the Cardinals

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

St. Louis Cardinals (56-74, fifth in the NL Central) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (71-58, second in the NL East)Philadelphia; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Drew Rom (0-1, 14.73 ERA, 3.27 WHIP, four strikeouts); Phillies: Aaron Nola (11-8, 4.49 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 165 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Phillies -203, Cardinals +170; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Philadelphia Phillies will look to sweep a three-game series with a victory over the St. Louis Cardinals.Philadelphia is 71-58 overall and 38-25 in home games. Phillies hitters have a collective .434 slugging percentage to rank sixth in MLB.St. Louis has a 56-74 record overall and a 28-37 record in road games. The Cardinals have a 42-13 record in games when they scored at least five runs.Sunday’s game is the third time these teams match up this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Schwarber is second on the Phillies with 52 extra base hits (16 doubles, a triple and 35 home runs). Bryce Harper is 17-for...

Nationals try to keep win streak alive against the Marlins

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

Washington Nationals (61-69, fourth in the NL East) vs. Miami Marlins (65-65, third in the NL East)Miami; Sunday, 1:40 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Nationals: Trevor Williams (6-7, 4.95 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 94 strikeouts); Marlins: JT Chargois (2-0, 3.56 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 25 strikeouts)BOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals will try to build upon a three-game win streak with a victory over the Miami Marlins.Miami has a 37-29 record in home games and a 65-65 record overall. The Marlins have gone 27-12 in games decided by one run.Washington has a 32-33 record in road games and a 61-69 record overall. Nationals hitters are batting a collective .259, which ranks second in the NL.Sunday’s game is the ninth time these teams match up this season. The Marlins hold a 6-2 advantage in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: Luis Arraez has 27 doubles, three triples, five home runs and 58 RBI for the Marlins. Jorge Soler is 6-for-39 with five home runs and six RBI over the last 10 games.Lane Thomas lea...

Giants host the Braves on home losing streak

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

Atlanta Braves (84-44, first in the NL East) vs. San Francisco Giants (66-63, third in the NL West)San Francisco; Sunday, 7:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Braves: Jared Shuster (4-2, 5.00 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 25 strikeouts); Giants: Tristan Beck (3-2, 3.34 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 57 strikeouts)BOTTOM LINE: The San Francisco Giants look to stop their three-game home slide with a win over the Atlanta Braves.San Francisco has a 35-30 record at home and a 66-63 record overall. The Giants have a 48-19 record in games when they record at least eight hits.Atlanta has a 40-22 record on the road and an 84-44 record overall. The Braves are 67-11 in games when they scored five or more runs.Sunday’s game is the sixth meeting between these teams this season. The Braves are ahead 4-1 in the season series.TOP PERFORMERS: LaMonte Wade Jr leads the Giants with a .256 batting average, and has 14 doubles, a triple, 13 home runs, 66 walks and 36 RBI. Michael Conforto is 12-for-30 with a home run and two RBI o...

La campaña de Trump dice haber recaudado US$ 7,1 millones desde la foto policial en Atlanta

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:59:45 GMT

(CNN) — La campaña de Donald Trump dice que ha recaudado US$ 7,1 millones desde que el expresidente fue procesado en una cárcel de Atlanta el jueves por el caso de interferencia electoral en Georgia.El total de recaudación de fondos de Trump durante las últimas tres semanas, luego de su acusación y procesamiento en Washington relacionado con el caso federal del 6 de enero y luego de su entrega y procesamiento en la cárcel del condado de Fulton en Georgia, es cercano a los US$ 20 millones, dijo un funcionario de la campaña de Trump.El viernes, el día después de su arresto en Georgia, Trump recaudó US$ 4,18 millones, el día de mayor recaudación de toda la campaña, dijo la fuente.Las cifras de recaudación de fondos fueron reportadas por primera vez por Politico.Tras el arresto de Trump, su campaña también comenzó inmediatamente a vender productos con la foto de recluso del expresidente. Las ventas han contribuido a los elevados totales de recaudación de fondos, según la fuente.Lo...