Section: Singapore
Russia says to boost military presence in Crimea – RIA
Russia will boost its military presence in Crimea given NATO’s plans to expand in eastern Europe, Alexander Grushko, Russia’s envoy to the military alliance, was quoted as saying on Friday by RIA news agency. …read more Source: Channel...
Hollande denounces ‘unacceptable’ violations of Ukraine ceasefire
AACHEN, Germany – France’s President Francois Hollande on Thursday denounced as “unacceptable” ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine, after speaking briefly with his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko in Germany.”There are ceasefire violations today and that’s unacceptable,” Hollande told reporters,...
Ukraine appoints US senator McCain presidential aide
May 14, 2015 6:53 PMKIEV (AFP) – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has appointed John McCain, a hawkish US senator who has pressed Washington to send lethal weapons to war-torn Ukraine, as his advisor, his administration said. …read more Source: The Straits...
Russia’s chocolate ‘art’, luxury morale booster for more than the elite
MOSCOW – Portraits of Audrey Hepburn and Charlie Chaplin, views of Venetian canals or a growling lion, these artworks all have something in common outside hefty pricetags — they’re edible.Long known in the West, “chocolate painting” was introduced in Russia about a decade ago but until lately, remained the preserve...
Ukraine navy left high and dry after Crimea losses
ODESSA, Ukraine – A clutch of rusty old naval boats bob about mournfully in the Black Sea off the harbour of Ukraine’s southern city Odessa near an ageing missile boat.”The only way to get those pieces of junk moving is to get some paddles and start rowing,” an officer says derisively.Close by floats the remaining...
NATO commander accuses Russia of making irresponsible nuclear threats
NATO’s military commander accused Russia on Wednesday of making irresponsible nuclear threats, which he said were intended to make NATO think twice about how it responded to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. …read more Source: Channel...
US, Russia vow to boost co-operation, but no concrete progress
SOCHI, Russia – Russia and the United States vowed to improve strained ties Tuesday after “frank” talks between President Vladimir Putin and top US diplomat John Kerry, but there was no concrete breakthrough after eight hours of meetings.Kerry’s trip to the Black Sea resort of Sochi was the highest level US visit to Russia...
Kerry holds ‘frank’ talks with Putin in bid to improve ties
SOCHI, Russia (AFP) – US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian President Vladimir Putin held four hours of rare face-to-face talks on Tuesday as the two nations sought ways to co-operate after a sharp deterioration in relations.The meeting during the highest level US visit to Russia since the Ukraine crisis erupted in late 2013 did not...
Focus on Islamic State and Libya as NATO foreign ministers meet
Preoccupied for more than a year by the Ukraine crisis, NATO foreign ministers meeting in Turkey this week will focus on instability on the alliance’s southern flank, ranging from Islamic State in Iraq and Syria to turmoil in Libya. …read more Source: Channel...
Ukraine erases communist reminders as it tries to ditch past
KIEV (Ukraine) – A hulking steel statue of a victorious female warrior bearing aloft sword and shield looms in dour majesty over the Ukrainian capital. The Motherland Monument’s shield bears the Communist hammer-and-sickle, but maybe not for much… …read more Source:...
