Section: Independent Online (South Africa)
UN: World’s displaced hits record high
Almost 60 million people worldwide were forcibly uprooted by conflict and persecution at the end of 2014, the UN said. ||| London – Almost 60 million people worldwide were forcibly uprooted by conflict and persecution at the end of last year, the highest ever recorded number, the UN refugee agency said on Thursday. More than half the...
Ukraine soldiers ‘confess to murders’
Two Ukrainian servicemen reportedly confessed to murdering a mother and daughter after suspecting them of separatist sympathies. ||| Kiev – Two Ukrainian servicemen have confessed to murdering a mother and daughter in east Ukraine after suspecting them of separatist sympathies, the prosecutor’s office for the Kiev-controlled part of...
Russia beefing up nuclear arsenal
President Vladimir Putin said Russia would add more than 40 new intercontinental ballistic missiles to its nuclear arsenal. ||| Kubinka, Russia – President Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday Russia would add more than 40 new intercontinental ballistic missiles to its nuclear arsenal this year, a remark that is likely to increase alarm in the...
Russia warns US over weapons on border
Moscow warns of retaliation if US carries out plan to station tanks and heavy weapons in NATO states on Russia’s border ||| Moscow/Warsaw – A plan by Washington to station tanks and heavy weapons in NATO states on Russia’s border would be the most aggressive US act since the Cold War, and Moscow would retaliate by beefing up its...
Putin meets Pope in Italy
Pope Francis has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to make a “sincere effort” for peace in Ukraine. ||| Rome – Russian President Vladimir Putin used a trip to Italy on Wednesday to press his case against international sanctions and was urged by Pope Francis to make a “sincere effort” for peace in Ukraine.After telling Italian premier...
Many airlines still struggling – IATA boss
North America is leading the airline industry in profits while much of the world still struggles. ||| Miami – As fuel prices drop and more planes fly filled to capacity, North America is leading the airline industry in profits while much of the world still struggles, officials said on Monday.Airlines are projected to make $29.3 billion in...
Pledge on carbon fuels caps G7 talks
G7 leaders have taken a major step in the battle against global warming after their summit in Germany. ||| Kruen, Germany – Leaders of the world’s major industrial democracies resolved on Monday to wean their energy-hungry economies off carbon fuels, marking a major step in the battle against global warming that raises the chances of...
Russia refuses to sign IAEA annual report
Russia has refused to sign off on the UN nuclear watchdog’s annual report because the document lists a nuclear reactor near Crimea’s Sevastopol as being in Ukraine. ||| Vienna – Russia has refused to sign off on the UN nuclear watchdog’s annual report because the document lists a nuclear reactor near Crimea’s...
Obama samples beer and weisswurst
Before the serious business of the G7 summit, US President Barack Obama chatted with a few Bavarians. ||| Kruen, Germany – Joking that he wanted to buy a pair of lederhosen leather shorts, US President Barack Obama drank beer and mixed with Bavarians in a light-hearted start to his trip to Germany, before turning to more serious talks on...
Dutch foreign minister eyes MH17 prosecution
Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders will discuss efforts with Moscow to prosecute suspects in the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17. ||| Amsterdam – Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders will discuss efforts to prosecute suspects in the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 while in Moscow on Friday, his office said in a...
