David R. Sands

Russian, U.S. officials talking over Griner prisoner swap, Moscow says

The Kremlin acknowledged for the first time Thursday that U.S. and Russian officials are in talks on a swap that would potentially free women's basketball star Brittney Griner and former U.S. Marine Paul Whelan from Russian jails.

August 11, 2022

Iran dismisses U.S. charges of plot to murder John Bolton as ‘baseless’

Iran's Foreign Ministry is dismissing U.S. charges that an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps officer plotted to kill former National Security Adviser John Bolton, in Tehran's first official response to the sensational charges laid out Wednesday by the Justice Department.

August 11, 2022

Unlikely stars shine as Uzbekistan, Ukraine capture chess Olympiad gold

The biennial Olympiad, attracting nearly 200 squads representing countries around the globe, is the ultimate in team sport in chess. But that doesn't mean don't you can't ride a hot individual horse to victory.

August 9, 2022

Ukrainian women capture chess Olympiad gold after Russians barred

Ukraine scored a big win away from the battlefield Tuesday as its women's chess team captured the gold medal at the 44th Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India.

August 9, 2022

Fallout from Taiwan visit follows Pelosi on trips to South Korea, Japan

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's 24-hour visit to Taiwan -- and China's furious and ongoing reaction -- are making for some delicate diplomacy as the California Democrat concludes her Asian tour with stops in South Korea and Japan.

August 4, 2022

Russian court gives U.S. basketball star Griner nine-year jail term in drug smuggling case

A Russian court Thursday sentenced U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner to nine years in prison for smuggling drugs "with criminal intent" in a politically charged trial that has roiled already tense relations with the United States.

August 4, 2022

Russians preparing renewed attack on Zelenskyy’s hometown, Ukrainians warn

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is getting personal -- again.

August 3, 2022

After COVID-19 pandemic and site shift, delayed chess Olympiad kicks off in India

It wasn't completely able to sidestep the problems of the world, but the fact that the 44th Chess Olympiad is underway with actual over-the-board competition in Chennai, India, is a heartening sign that things are finally returning to something resembling normalcy.

August 2, 2022

Speaker Pelosi set to visit Taiwan despite fierce threats from Beijing

A congressional delegation headed by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to arrive in Taiwan this week despite blunt warnings from Beijing against the trip, as the White House warned that tensions between the U.S. and China could be reaching a tipping point.

August 1, 2022

Intriguing chess title match on tap as champion Carlsen vacates the throne

The news, not exactly surprising, was stunning nonetheless -- world chess champion Magnus Carlsen was voluntarily relinquishing his crown and would not play a second title defense match against Russian GM Ian Nepomniachtchi planned for 2023.

July 27, 2022

Both British PM candidates support stalled plan to ship asylum seekers to Rwanda

Both of the candidates looking to succeed Boris Johnson say they back -- and would even expand -- the ousted prime minister's controversial plan to send illegal immigrants in large numbers to the African nation of Rwanda, a plan sharply denounced by immigrant and human rights groups in the U.K.

July 24, 2022

Grain shipments will continue despite Russian cruise missile strikes, Ukraine says

A deal to begin shipping Ukrainian grain to markets around the world will proceed despite Russia's surprise attack on the Black Sea port city of Odesa, Ukrainian officials said Sunday.

July 24, 2022

Iranian exile dissident group calls off summit after terror threat

A major gathering of Iranian dissidents in Albania opposed to the theocratic regime in Tehran this weekend has been abruptly called off owing to a terror threat, organizers said.

July 23, 2022

Conservatives’ ideological wings clash as Sunak, Truss square off to succeed Johnson

Two top ministers in Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Cabinet will now square off in the race to succeed him as former treasury chief Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss emerged as the finalists in a spirited contest that could bring new divisions for the ruling Conservative Party.

July 20, 2022

World chess champ Magnus Carlsen to relinquish crown

World chess champion Magnus Carlsen, the first Norwegian to win the crown and one of the strongest players in history, announced Wednesday he will not defend his title again in an upcoming match.

July 20, 2022

Rishi Sunak tops latest poll, Kemi Badenoch out in race to succeed Britain’s Boris Johnson

Britain's Conservative Party base skews White and male, but its choice to succeed Prime Minister Boris Johnson is guaranteed to be anything but.

July 19, 2022

Attacking wizard Shabalov plays defense on way to U.S. senior chess title

Pittsburgh GM Alexander Shabalov has been a frequent "contributor" to this column over the years, mostly because of the many games demonstrating his brilliant attacking skills.

July 19, 2022

Some old favorites shine on the summer chess calendar

It's a busy period for chess -- the Candidates Tournament has just concluded, the U.S. senior, junior and junior girls' championships are all underway in St. Louis, and the 44th Olympiad is set to start in Chennai, India, in just over two weeks.

July 12, 2022

Japan says elections will go on despite the assassination of Shinzo Abe

Japan will proceed with scheduled elections Sunday for the parliament's upper house despite the stunning assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, government officials said.

July 8, 2022

No clarity, but no shortage of candidates ready to replace Johnson

It might be easier -- and quicker -- to list who is not considering a run to succeed Boris Johnson as Conservative Party leader and thus the 56th and next prime minister of Great Britain.

July 7, 2022