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Putin says Russia thinking of ditching grain deal due to West's 'perfidy'

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:33 GMT

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday (13 June) that Russia was considering withdrawing from the Black Sea grain deal because the West had cheated Moscow by implementing none of the promises to get Russian agricultural goods to world markets.The deal, allowing Ukraine to resume seaborne grain exports, was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July last year to help tackle a global food crisis the UN said had been worsened by Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two.To convince Moscow to approve the pact, known by diplomats as the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a three-year accord was struck at the same time under which UN officials agreed to help Russia with its own food and fertilizer exports.But Putin said that had not been implemented due to the perfidy of the West."We are thinking about getting out of this grain deal now," Putin told a meeting of Russian war correspondents and military bloggers."Unfortunately, we were once again cheated - nothing was done i...

Best of Portugal takes to Parc du Cinquentenaire for 9th edition

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:33 GMT

The 9th edition of the Best of Portugal will take place at the Cinquentenaire Park in Brussels this weekend (17/18 June).This year, more than 70 stands, 50 companies from Portugal, and 10 restaurants will welcome visitors.One of the main goals of the event is to promote the best that is produced in Portugal, especially its quality products, such as wines, olive oils, fruits and vegetables, honeys, cheeses, and sausages among other products in the agri-food chain.It is also intended to bring together the Portuguese community in Belgium as well as officials of the 27 Member States working in European institutions.It will be attended by representatives of the European agri-food sector, the Portuguese government and European institutions. The Douro Intermunicipal Community is guest of honour.Organized by the Confederation of Portuguese Farmers (CAP),the event also hopes to promote the Portuguese agri-food sector to Benelux exporters, mainly in the Belgian market.“Brussels is the do...

Miss Manners: I was hurt that her caffeine fix was more important than my child’s party

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:33 GMT

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I was hosting my mother-in-law for the weekend for my daughter’s first birthday party, which I held at my house on a Saturday.I am a working mom who does a fair amount of overtime, both in and out of the home, but I still decorated extensively for the party and made all the food from scratch, in addition to planning homemade meals for my houseguests.Related ArticlesAdvice | Miss Manners: A neighbor was inexcusably rude to our new acquaintance Advice | Miss Manners: Am I wrong to reply sarcastically to their terse texts? Advice | Miss Manners: The way this man sits bothers me no end Advice | Miss Manners: Is it just a verbal tic or is she insulting me? Advice | Miss Manners: I’m insulted when they imply my profession makes me a monster My mother-in-law told me in advance that all she needs to be happy is a steady supply of coffee. I tried to accommodate this to the best of ...

Dear Abby: I try to help my boyfriend meet people, but he’s resistant

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:33 GMT

DEAR ABBY: My partner, “Josh,” and I (we’re both male) have been together for two years. We met while living in LA and were fortunate to be accepted to grad schools in NYC.We’re not living together now as our schools are in different boroughs, but we see each other most weekends.Related ArticlesAdvice | Dear Abby: My husband’s only response is screaming or a death stare Advice | Dear Abby: He gets mad if I say his driving scares me Advice | Dear Abby: My wife is secretive about her meals out, and it makes me suspicious Advice | Dear Abby: This shoplifting incident may be the last straw for my marriage Advice | Dear Abby: How do I tell her I’ve been secretly cleaning her house? Recently, Josh has been trying to make more friends, as our social network seems more heavily skewed toward people from my circles (school, past work, etc.).I have the benefit of living on a grad...

A guide to Northern Virginia’s Democratic primaries for Commonwealth’s Attorney

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:33 GMT

Some of Northern Virginia’s top prosecutors will face a pivotal challenge this June as they confront Democratic primary opponents who present themselves as superior reformers.Incumbents Steve Descano, Buta Biberaj and Parisa Dehghani-Tafti must convince Democratic voters that their first terms in office have delivered on the reformist pledges they campaigned on. They’re poised to address growing concerns about crime, allegations of mismanagement and a Democratic base galvanized by the overturning of Roe v. Wade a year ago.Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, told The Associated Press he cautioned against drawing sweeping conclusions from the primaries, which make up a relatively small segment of the electorate.Still, he acknowledged that voters rejecting reform incumbents would be significant and serve as a “warning sign” for the broader Democratic Party.Virginia voter guide: 2023 primary electionRanked choic...

Sasha Calle, first Latina to play Supergirl, teases new movie ‘The Flash’

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:33 GMT

Hear our full chat on my podcast “Beyond the Fame with Jason Fraley.” toggle audio on and off change volume download audio WTOP's Jason Fraley previews 'The Flash' with Supergirl (Part 1) $(function () { $('.wtop-audio-container .fa-play').on('click', function(){ var audio_filename = $('div.wtop-audio-file').data("mp3-url"); ga('send', 'event', 'Audio', 'play', audio_filename); }); }); Fans of DC Comics are super excited as “The Flash” finally opens in movie theaters nationwide this Friday.The film co-stars Sasha Calle (“The Young and the Restless”), who makes history as the first Latina to play Supe...

Nationals host the Marlins on home losing streak

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:33 GMT

Miami Marlins (38-31, second in the NL East) vs. Washington Nationals (27-40, fifth in the NL East)Washington; Friday, 7:05 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Marlins: Sandy Alcantara (2-5, 4.86 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 71 strikeouts); Nationals: Trevor Williams (3-4, 4.11 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 52 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Marlins -180, Nationals +153; over/under is 8 1/2 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Washington Nationals take on the Miami Marlins looking to stop a four-game home losing streak.Washington has a 27-40 record overall and a 12-21 record in home games. The Nationals have an 18-7 record in games when they scored five or more runs.Miami has a 38-31 record overall and a 17-18 record in road games. The Marlins have a 30-7 record in games when they have more hits than their opponents.The teams meet Friday for the fourth time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Lane Thomas leads Washington with nine home runs while slugging .463. Keibert Ruiz is 12-for-39 with four home runs and eight RBI over the pas...

Pirates aim to end 3-game road slide, play the Brewers

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:33 GMT

Pittsburgh Pirates (34-33, first in the NL Central) vs. Milwaukee Brewers (34-34, second in the NL Central)Milwaukee; Friday, 8:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Pirates: Rich Hill (6-5, 4.35 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 67 strikeouts); Brewers: Julio Teheran (1-2, 1.48 ERA, .95 WHIP, 16 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Brewers -119, Pirates -101; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Pittsburgh Pirates hit the road against the Milwaukee Brewers looking to end a three-game road losing streak.Milwaukee has an 18-16 record in home games and a 34-34 record overall. The Brewers have a 13-7 record in games when they did not allow a home run.Pittsburgh has a 16-17 record in road games and a 34-33 record overall. The Pirates have gone 18-10 in games when they did not allow a home run.The matchup Friday is the first meeting of the season between the two teams.TOP PERFORMERS: Rowdy Tellez ranks fourth on the Brewers with 17 extra base hits (four doubles, a triple and 12 home runs). Christian Yelich is...

Cardinals come into matchup with the Mets on losing streak

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:33 GMT

St. Louis Cardinals (27-42, fifth in the NL Central) vs. New York Mets (32-36, fourth in the NL East)New York; Friday, 7:10 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Cardinals: Miles Mikolas (4-3, 4.02 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 62 strikeouts); Mets: Tylor Megill (5-4, 5.14 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, 49 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Cardinals -113, Mets -106; over/under is 9 runsBOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Cardinals head into the matchup with the New York Mets after losing five in a row.New York has a 16-13 record at home and a 32-36 record overall. The Mets are sixth in the NL with 80 total home runs, averaging 1.2 per game.St. Louis is 14-21 in road games and 27-42 overall. The Cardinals are 7-16 in games decided by one run.The teams meet Friday for the first time this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Jeff McNeil has eight doubles, a triple and three home runs for the Mets. Francisco Alvarez is 6-for-37 with four home runs over the last 10 games.Nolan Gorman has 10 doubles and 15 home runs for the Cardinals. Nolan Ar...

Braves bring 1-0 series advantage over Rockies into game 2

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 14:12:33 GMT

Colorado Rockies (29-42, fifth in the NL West) vs. Atlanta Braves (43-26, first in the NL East)Atlanta; Friday, 7:20 p.m. EDTPITCHING PROBABLES: Rockies: Dinelson Lamet (1-3, 10.80 ERA, 2.35 WHIP, 26 strikeouts); Braves: Jared Shuster (3-2, 5.05 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 21 strikeouts)FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK MLB LINE: Braves -255, Rockies +210; over/under is 10 runsBOTTOM LINE: The Atlanta Braves face the Colorado Rockies with a 1-0 series lead.Atlanta has a 43-26 record overall and a 21-15 record in home games. The Braves have the top team batting average in the NL at .265.Colorado has gone 13-23 in road games and 29-42 overall. The Rockies have the ninth-best team batting average in MLB play at .256.Friday’s game is the second time these teams match up this season.TOP PERFORMERS: Matt Olson leads the Braves with 19 home runs while slugging .494. Orlando Arcia is 15-for-36 with a double, a home run and 10 RBI over the past 10 games.Ryan McMahon leads Colorado with 10 home runs while sluggin...