Section: Independent Online (South Africa)
‘Western values are ticket to hell’
Western values are a “ticket to hell,” China’s state media said in the latest example of a rising level of invective targeting critics of the authoritarian government. ||| Beijing – Western values are a “ticket to hell,” a newspaper published by China’s Communist Party said in a recent editorial that held up Ukraine and some...
Lavrov and Kerry discuss Ukraine crisis
The chief diplomats from the US and Russia, John Kerry and Sergei Lavrov, met in Geneva to discuss the Ukraine crisis. ||| Geneva – The chief diplomats from the United States and Russia, John Kerry and Sergei Lavrov, met Monday in Geneva to discuss the Ukraine crisis as the UN said the conflict had taken more than 6 000 lives.Meeting on the...
Anti-Putin protesters rally in New York
Dozens rallied in New York City near the Russian permanent mission to the UN to denounce the murder of Boris Nemtsov. ||| New York – Dozens of protesters rallied in New York City on Sunday near the Russian permanent mission to the United Nations to denounce the murder of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov, despite fear of reprisals to themselves...
Hunt for MH370 may be called off
Australia says the search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 cannot go on forever. ||| Canberra – The search for missing Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 cannot go on forever, Australia’s deputy prime minister said, and discussions are already under way between Australia, China and Malaysia as to whether to call off the hunt...
Obama blasts Nemtsov murder
President Barack Obama condemned what he called the “brutal” and “vicious” murder of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov. ||| Washington – US President Barack Obama condemned what he called the “brutal” and “vicious” murder of Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, a fierce critic of President Vladimir Putin who was shot dead in...
Outspoken Putin critic shot dead
Boris Nemtsov, a charismatic Russian opposition leader, was gunned down ahead of a planned protest against the government. ||| Moscow – Boris Nemtsov, a charismatic Russian opposition leader and sharp critic of President Vladimir Putin, was gunned down on Saturday near the Kremlin, just a day before a planned protest against the...
Deaths shake Ukraine truce
Kiev reported the first deaths in three days in east Ukraine, denting hopes a ceasefire will hold. ||| Kiev – Ukraine on Friday reported the first deaths in three days in east Ukraine, denting hopes a ceasefire will hold, and President Petro Poroshenko said Russia would pose a “military threat” even if the truce is solid. Government troops...
European shares take a breath
European shares dipped on Friday – pausing after their best start to the year since regional benchmarks began in 1986. ||| Paris – European shares dipped on Friday morning, pausing after their best start to the year since regional benchmarks began in late 1986, while Airbus rallied after posting a sharp rise in operating earnings....
Khodorkovsky slams ‘naked king’ Putin
Former YUKOS tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky says Russia’s economy will weaken further. ||| London – Former Russian tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky said on Thursday Vladimir Putin was a “naked king” presiding over an economy that will weaken further, eventually provoking a battle between rival clans in Moscow. “Putin with bare chest...
Outrage over kindergarteners with rifles
Pictures of Russian children posing with mock AK-47 rifles and other weapons at a kindergarten have provoked a storm of controversy. ||| Moscow – Pictures of young Russian children posing with mock AK-47 rifles and other weapons at a kindergarten have provoked a storm of controversy, but some defended them as patriotic education. Pictures...
