Section: US & Canada
With Ukraine cease-fire at stake, eyes turn to Mariupol (+video)
Kiev claims the Ukrainian port is next on the list of targets for Russia-backed rebels, who argue they have no plans to attack the city. Mariupol’s fate could determine whether the country’s tenuous cease-fire holds. …read more Source: Christian Science...
Ukraine disputes rebel claim that weapons pullback has started
Russian-backed separatists moved some heavy weapons well back from the front line Tuesday in eastern Ukraine, but the Ukrainian government disputed the rebels’ claim that a real pullback had begun. …read more Source: FOX...
Top Russian official: Western sanctions threaten oil output
MOSCOW (AP) — The chairman of the Russian Security Council says Western sanctions are threatening the country’s oil and gas industry. The United States, the European Union and other countries last year imposed sanctions against Russia for its role in the Ukrainian conflict. Some of them made it virtually impossible for energy companies to...
The Daily Vertical: What Is The West’s ‘Or Else’?
The Daily Vertical is a video primer for Russia-watchers that will appear Monday through Friday. Viewers can submit suggested topics to address on Twitter @PowerVertical or on the Power Vertical Facebook page. …read more Source: Radio Free Europe / Radio...
France Warns Russia And Its Allies Not To Advance On Ukrainian Port City
The foreign ministers of the four signatories to the Minsk ceasefire agreement met in Paris to discuss the fighting in Ukraine. Kiev worries the separatists’ next target will be Mariupol.» E-Mail This …read more Source:...
Photos Of School Lunches From Around The World Will Make American Kids Want To Study Abroad
More than one-third of kids in America are obese or overweight. In 2013, the National School Lunch Program, a federally assisted meal program operating in public and nonprofit private schools, served 5.1 billion lunches, Bloomberg reports. The quality of these lunches must somehow correlate to the health of America’s youth, considering more...
As Minsk II Flounders, Europe Scrambles For A Backup Plan
As hopes for implementation of the Minsk II agreement on stabilizing eastern Ukraine fade, the European Union is wrestling with the question, “What next?” …read more Source: Radio Free Europe / Radio...
Ukraine desperate for IMF aid as money runs low
With reports that Ukraine’s gas supply could be turned off imminently and fears that it is facing bankruptcy, Ukraine is desperate for IMF aid. …read more Source:...
FP’s Situation Report: Pentagon walks back Mosul plans; Russia plays petro-politics with Europe; U.S. calls for South Sudan sanctions in writing; and much more from around the world.
By David Francis with Sabine Muscat The Pentagon tries to walk back plans to retake Mosul. Last week DoD unexpectedly released key details on its efforts to retake the Iraqi city from the Islamic State. U.S. officials apparently failed to check in with their Iraqi counterparts, FP’s Kate Brannen reports. Meanwhile, former Iraqi Prime...
EU unveils vast plan to merge 28 energy markets
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union’s executive has unveiled a vast plan to merge the EU’s 28 national energy markets with the aim of providing cheaper energy for consumers and weaning Europe off Russian gas supplies. European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic on Wednesday called it “undoubtedly the most ambitious energy...
