Section: Metro News (Canada)
Canada expected to train Ukrainian soldiers
OTTAWA – Canada appears set to join a U.S.-led training mission to shore up the capabilities of the battered and bloodied Ukrainian military. A defence source says the Harper government is expected to announce the deployment of training troops — possibly over 100. Most of them are expected to be housed at an existing NATO training centre located...
TSO’s Ukraine flap worsens as pianist filling in for Valentina Lisitsa quits
There is a new twist in the saga that is the Toronto Symphony Orchestra’s handling of controversial pianist Valentina Lisitsa. Now, the scheduled performances in which she was replaced earlier this week have been cancelled entirely — and her replacement partially blames the “mob-like behavior of her devotees.” “In light of this week’s...
Toronto Symphony Orchestra yanks Ukrainian-born pianist’s shows after talk of ‘deeply offensive’ comments
The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has replaced Ukrainian-born piano soloist Valentina Lisitsa in several performances this week, citing “ongoing accusations of deeply offensive language by Ukrainian media outlets” — a decision which has sparked online backlash from the popular pianist’s fans. TSO president and CEO Jeff Melanson told Torstar...
Stephen Harper talks Ukraine, Islamic State with NATO chief
OTTAWA – Prime Minister Stephen Harper and NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg met today to discuss the war in Iraq and the crisis in Ukraine. The meeting just comes days ahead of the planned introduction of a motion to extend and expand Canada’s combat mission against extremists in Iraq — and possibly Syria. Stoltenberg, a former prime...
Putin says Russia regained ‘historic roots’ in Crimea
MOSCOW – Speaking to tens of thousands of supporters just outside the Kremlin walls, President Vladimir Putin has described Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula as a move to protect ethnic Russians and regain the nation’s “historic roots.” Addressing Wednesday’s rally marking the anniversary of the...
Russian TV doc on Crimea leaves little doubt that Putin is in charge
MOSCOW – Even while Vladimir Putin was still mysteriously absent, Russian TV delivered a clear message for Russians and foreigners alike: Putin is firmly in charge, and ready to use his country’s military power to safeguard the interests of Russia and Russians. A lavish 2 1/2-hour documentary on Russia’s annexation of Crimea aired...
Ukrainian Jewish leader stands his ground
Born after the Holocaust, Ukrainian Jewish leader Josef Zissels might have thought himself lucky just to be alive. But instead of living quietly as a radio engineer in the then Soviet state, he became an outspoken dissident and human rights activist, was arrested twice for “defaming the Soviet political and social system,” and served a total of...
Bowler rolls grenade instead of ball in Ukraine, two injured
KIEV, Ukraine – Two people have been injured while bowling in a rebel-controlled area of east Ukraine after a player rolled a grenade instead of a ball. A separatist-run news agency cited emergency services official Sergei Ivanushkin as saying Friday that the separatist-held parts of Luhansk region have seen a spate of accidents recently because...
Ukraine president says arms withdrawal almost complete
KIEV, Ukraine – Ukraine’s president says government and rebel forces have pulled back most of their heavy weapons in the east, but each side accused the other on Tuesday of stalling on complying with other terms of a cease-fire deal. The cautious optimism articulated by Petro Poroshenko was tempered Tuesday by his foreign minister, who...
Rebel pageant: Ukrainian fighters trade in boots for heels
DONETSK, Ukraine – Trading in their combat boots and fatigues for high heels and ball gowns, female rebel fighters who normally fight Ukrainian soldiers took Saturday off to take part in a beauty pageant. The event was organized by self-proclaimed authorities in the rebel-held city of Donetsk on the eve of International Women’s Day, which...
