Section: US & Canada
Putin says Ukraine needs to repay a $3 billion loan because Russia needs the money to fight its financial crisis (RSX)
Russia could really make things miserable for Ukraine soon. On Tuesday Russian president Vladimir Putin said that Ukraine should repay the $3 billion loan because Russia needs that money to fight the economic crisis that’s currently ravaging the nation, reports Bloomberg’s Anton Doroshev. Last week, Russia rolled out a $34.7 billion...
Social Media Becomes Lifeline for Civilians Under Fire in Ukraine
In the midst of the latest violence, online social-networking groups dedicated to specific towns in eastern Ukraine are offering some of the most vivid, real-time glimpses into the conflict’s crushing impact on civilians. …read more Source: The Wall Street...
Officials agree on measures after aviation calamities
MONTREAL (AP) — A United Nations agency is hoping to quickly introduce new measures to keep closer tabs on planes following last year’s disappearance of a flight over Asia. The International Civil Aviation Organization laid out a proposal Tuesday to improve the tracking of long-haul passenger flights by fall 2015. It also presented...
Report: Eastern Ukraine Flooded With Russian-Made Weapons
Pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine have employed at least 21 weapons and vehicles that were not previously found in the country, according to an arms research company, bolstering claims that Russia has equipped the rebels. The weapons—all but one of which came from Russia—include man-portable air defense systems (MANPADs), rocket...
Baird’s exit leaves hole at home and abroad
OTTAWA – One of Stephen Harper’s most experienced ministers resigned his plum foreign affairs post Tuesday, leaving a void around the Conservative cabinet table at a critical juncture in both domestic and international affairs.John Baird was a prominent voice for Canada on the world stage and a multi-faceted lieutenant for Harper; his...
In Crimea, a theme park turns back the clock
For the de Villierses, the solution is to turn back the clock to the Byzantine Empire, the Christian offshoot of the Roman Empire that is known for its domed churches and elaborate mosaics, which once held sway over Crimea. […] in practice he is turning his new conquest into a sort of Orlando meets Las Vegas, with at least two major theme...
It’s Time To Provide Weapons to Ukraine
A short six months ago, officials in the United States and Europe were equating the pro-Russian separatists battling the Ukrainian army with drunken fools aimlessly running around the country causing mayhem. The description may not have been diplomatic, but it was an apt metaphor for how the separatists acted and the way they behaved towards...
Korea’s Place in an Interconnected World
The following speech was delivered on December 8, 2014 at the 7th World Policy Conference in Seoul. Last weekend, I came back from London, after taking part in the first Korea-UK Ministerial Strategic Dialogue and the Conference on Afghanistan. On that occasion, I had the privilege of speaking before Chatham House on Northeast Asia and the world....
Russia is looking to make an ally within its biggest enemy
It looks like Russia is trying to make a military ally within its biggest enemy. On Tuesday, Greece’s defense minister and outspoken “Eurosceptic” Panos Kammenos announced that he was invited to Moscow to meet his Russian counterpart, Sergei Shoygu in the near future. Earlier that day, Kammenos met with both the US and Russian...
Protesters Urge Kiev to Shift Tactics in Fight Against Moscow
Dozens of protesters, including members of the Ukrainian military, gathered inside a presidential administrative building in Kiev on Tuesday to express frustration with the ongoing fighting in eastern Ukraine. The group, which has complained about a lack of supplies on the front lines and poor strategy, also demanded to speak with President Petro...
