Section: Business Insider (USA)
Ukraine’s military is facing a make or break moment in a crucial besieged city
A city critical to the Ukrainian military may have fallen to Russian-backed separatists, despite the existence of a ceasefire in the country. And it could get ugly. Citing claims made by the separatists to the Associated Press, The Guardian has reported that the Ukrainian city of Debaltseve has fallen to the rebels. If the claims are true,...
10 things you need to know before the opening bell (DIA, SPY, SPX, QQQ)
Here’s what you need to know. A debt deal between Greece and its creditors remains elusive. Greek Fiance Minister Yanis Varoufakis is hopeful a deal will be reached within days. Jittery investors are selling Greek bonds, sending the yield on 3-year debt up 75 basis points to 18.03%. A fragile ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine is taking hold....
Russian warships are back in the English Channel
A Royal Navy ship, the HMS Argyll, intercepted a Russian frigate travelling with a tanker in the English Channel on Wednesday. The Neustrashimy class frigate Yaroslav Mudryy — “Yaroslav the Wise” — is part of Russia’s Baltic fleet and is equipped with anti-ship missiles, the Kashtan anti-aircraft system and torpedoes. The HMS...
REPORTS: Pro-Moscow rebels just captured a key Ukrainian town
Reports in Russian media suggest that pro-Russian rebels have taken the railway town of Debaltseve from besieged Ukrainian government forces. The rebels claim that most of the city is now under the control of armed groups loyal to the breakaway Donetsk People’s Republic, according to Riga-based online newspaper and news aggregator...
Combat raging inside Ukraine flashpoint Debaltseve
Kiev (AFP) – Ukraine troops and pro-Russian rebels were engaged in combat inside the flashpoint town of Debaltseve on Tuesday, both sides said, in a significant blow to a fragile three-day-old ceasefire. It was the first time fighting has erupted on the streets of Debaltseve, which up until now had witnessed artillery exchanges between...
The 10 most important things in the world right now
Good morning! Here’s what you need to know for Tuesday. 1. Talks between Greece and Europe’s finance ministers broke down Monday night after the Greek government rejected a continuation of the current bailout agreement. 2. A Texas judge temporarily blocked US President Barack Obama’s policy that would protect some 5 million...
Access agreed for OSCE monitors in Ukraine: Berlin
Berlin (AFP) – The leaders of Russia, Germany and Ukraine have agreed on “concrete measures” to allow OSCE observers to monitor the shaky ceasefire in Ukraine, Berlin announced on Tuesday.The measures were agreed during a late Monday phone call between German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Russian and Ukrainian counterparts,...
10 things you need to know before European markets open
Good morning! Here’s what you need to know in markets today. Greece failed to reach a deal with Europe. The Greek government said it would not agree to any attempt to extend its current bailout programme, which runs out at the end of February and will leave Greece struggling to fulfil ordinary government functions. Greece wants a six-month...
Hollande, Merkel, Poroshenko ‘concerned’ at ongoing Ukraine fighting
Paris (AFP) – President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said Monday they were “concerned” about post-ceasefire fighting in the eastern Ukrainian town of Debaltseve, the French president’s office said.The three leaders, who spoke by telephone, “also expressed...
Ukraine has a $1 billion plan to wean itself off Russian gas
Ukraine announced plans to spend $1 billion to build up a strategic gas reserve in order to reduce its reliance on fuel imports from Russia. Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said on Saturday that the country would borrow the money using government guarantees in order to shift the country to European suppliers of natural gas, according to The...
