The US has a major problem complaining about the possibility that South American nations might ignore a request to extradite Edward Snowden if he gets there.

The US refuses to extradite Luis Posada Carriles to Venezuela to face charges concerning the midair bombing of an airliner in 1976 that resulted in 73 deaths. Mr Posada entered the US illegally in 2005.

The US refuses to extradite Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada to Bolivia to answer charges related to the death of 59 protestors while he was president of the country.

The US refuses to extradite Roberto and William Isaias Dassum to face charges concerning bank fraud and embezzlement to Ecuador.

Given that Mr Snowden isn’t being charged in connection with mass murder or the largest bank failure in the history of the US, I don’t think these countries are impressed with US claims. You reap what you sow.

Fougères to Tours

Distance: 218 kilometers.

This is a stage for the sprinters. The first 217 kilometers will just be positioning for the race at the end.

Marcel Kittel got half a wheel in front of Mark Cavendish to take his third stage win in this year’s Tour. The stage also provided yet another ‘demolition derby’ at the finish, something that has been common this year. The crash occurred just behind Chris Froome, so he stays in Yellow with a 2+ minute lead over his principal rivals.

Christopher Froome ( GB – SKY – 001 ) [Yellow] 47h 19′ 13″
Peter Sagan ( Svk – CAN – 011 ) [Green] 307 points
Pierre Rolland ( Fra – EUC – 051 ) [Polka Dot] 49 points
Michal Kwiatkowski ( Pol – OPQ – 153 ) 7 [White]

Team: Movistar ( MOV – 121-129 ) [Yellow numbers]
Stage winner: Marcel Kittel ( Ger – ARG – 197 )
Combative: Juan Antonio Flecha Giannoni ( Esp – VCD – 204 ) [Red numbers]

Top Ten:

1 Christopher Froome ( GB – SKY – 001 )
2 Alejandro Valverde ( Esp – MOV – 121 ) + 03′ 25″
3 Bauke Mollema ( Ned – BEL – 164 ) + 03′ 37″
4 Alberto Contador ( Esp – TST – 091 ) + 03′ 54″
5 Roman Kreuziger ( Cze – TST – 094 ) + 03′ 57″
6 Laurens Ten Dam ( Ned – BEL – 167 ) + 04′ 10″
7 Michal Kwiatkowski ( Pol – OPQ – 153 ) + 04′ 44″
8 Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas ( Col – MOV – 128 ) + 05′ 18″
9 Rui Alberto Costa ( Por – MOV – 124 ) + 05′ 37″
10 Jean-Christophe Péraud ( Fra – ALM – 081 ) + 05′ 39″

The Rest of the Top 30:
[Read more →]