Section: Dunya TV (Pakistan)
Poroshenko hails Ukraine ‘warriors’ freed from rebels
KIEV (AFP) – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Saturday welcomed home as heroes 145 soldiers freed by pro-Russian rebels during the largest prisoner swap of the eight-month separatist war.The Western-backed leader, beaming and wearing a black bomber jacket, walked up to the back cargo bay of a military transport plane that landed at a...
Dollar mortgage holders urge Russia to end ‘financial slavery’
Moscow (AFP) – When Olga Savelyeva took out a $226,000 mortgage to buy a small apartment on the outskirts of Moscow in 2008, she could never have imagined that the ruble would lose more than half its value in a few short years.But Savelyevas $2,090 monthly instalments have skyrocketed in ruble terms due to the Russian currencys dive against...
Russia’s ruble ends 5-day rally, drops 4 percent
MOSCOW: (AP) – The Russian currency on Friday ended its five-day rally and declined 4 percent as the markets remain jittery over the outlook of the Russian economy.The ruble has been the worst performing currency this year along with the Ukrainian hryvnia, having lost nearly half of its value against the dollar.Russian Finance Minister...
Ukraine halts trains to Russian-held Crimea
KIEV (AFP) – Ukraine said on Friday it was suspending all rail service to Russian-occupied Crimea because of security concerns.The decision came only 10 days after Russia decided to halt its own train service to the Black Sea peninsula due to low ticket demand.The joint decisions mean that most of the regions 2.3 million residents will only...
Pope wishes Christmas hope and peace for Peshawar attack victims
VATICAN CITY (AP, Dunya News) – Pope Francis focused his concern on those weeping in the world this Christmas, singling out refugees, hostages and others suffering in the Middle East, Africa and Ukraine as he prayed for hope and peace Thursday. Pope especially mentioned the attack on Peshawar military school earlier this month.Anguish for...
Pope to address world’s woes in Christmas message
Vatican City (AFP) – Pope Francis will offer his annual Christmas blessing on Thursday, traditionally an occasion to appeal for remedies to the worlds woes.In his second urbi et orbi (to the city and the world) message, the popular Argentinian pontiff will address the globes 1.2 billion Catholics and millions of others tuning in from around...
Who hacked Sony becomes Internet’s new mystery
LOS ANGELES (AP) Everyone has a theory about who really hacked Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.Despite President Barack Obamas conclusion that North Korea was the culprit, the Internets newest game of whodunit continues. Top theories include disgruntled Sony insiders, hired hackers, other foreign governments or Internet hooligans. Even some...
Ukraine peace talks start in Minsk
MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Peace talks aimed at reaching a stable cease-fire in Ukraine between its government forces and pro-Russian armed groups began on Wednesday, with the discussions to include a pullout of heavy weapons and an exchange of war prisoners.Representatives of Ukraine, Russia, pro-Russia rebels and the Organization for Security...
Ukraine truce deal that brought hope and more war
KIEV (AFP) – The Ukrainian government and Russian-backed militias signed a 12-point truce deal in September that stemmed the worst fighting but failed to resolve the separatist war.The insurgents claim that Kiev reneged on its promise to guarantee them more independence and help repair towns and cities levelled by eight months of rocket and...
Russia, Ukraine set for peace talks after Kiev step towards NATO
Kiev (AFP) – Fragile peace talks aimed at ending the separatist war between Ukraine and pro-Russian rebels are due to resume Wednesday, a day after Kiev angered Moscow by taking a historic step towards NATO.The talks in the Belarussian capital Minsk are expected to bring together envoys from Ukraine, Russia, pro-Moscow separatists and the...
