Section: Business Insider (USA)
Elton John wants gay rights talks with Putin
London (AFP) – British pop star Elton John said he would like to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the country’s attitude to gay rights.”I’d say, come on. Gay people are not the problem here,” the 68-year-old told BBC television in an interview released Saturday.In 2013, Putin signed off on a hugely...
Top officials hail ‘progress’ on Ukraine deal
Kiev (AFP) – Progress has been made on some contentious issues in the peace process, the foreign ministers of Germany, Russia, Ukraine and France said after holding talks in Berlin to prepare for a summit in Paris on October 2.Germany’s top diplomat, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, said the meeting had been “less confrontational”...
Elton John urges Ukraine to accept gays
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Elton John has called on Ukraine’s business leaders to accept gays in the workplace, telling them that policies “designed to repress LGBT citizens … hinder economic development.”John, who is gay and an outspoken activist, spoke to hundreds of business and political leaders at a high-profile forum in...
OSCE head says Sept. 1 cease-fire in east Ukraine holding
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — The head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe says a renewed cease-fire in eastern Ukraine has held for more than 10 days, creating the possibility of progress on the political level to end the fighting.Despite a cease-fire declared in February, both Ukrainian troops and the Russia-backed separatists...
Russian cosmonaut back after record 879 days in space
Astana (Kazakhstan) (AFP) – Russian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka returned safely to Earth with two other astronauts from the International Space Station Saturday with the record for having spent the most time in space.Padalka — who has spent a total of 879 days in space over five separate trips — touched ground on the barren Kazakh...
We just got the clearest sign yet that Russia doesn’t really care about fighting ISIS in Syria
Moscow will reportedly provide Russian troops in Syria with an advanced anti-aircraft missile system as part of its military support for Syrian president Bashar Assad. “This system is the advanced version used by Russia and it’s meant to be operated by Russians in Syria,” a Western diplomat who is regularly briefed on U.S.,...
How to say hello in 12 countries around the world
Knowing how to greet someone when visiting another country can help you avoid an awkward encounter. From bowing in Japan to kissing on the cheek three times in the Ukraine, here is how you say hello in 12 countries around the world. France: Kiss on each cheek The common greeting in France is kissing on the cheek. Typically, it will be two kisses...
This story made a bunch of Google families cry during its 3rd annual Take Your Parents to Work Day
On Thursday afternoon, about 3,000 Googlers and 4,700 of their parents packed into a giant amphitheater in Mountain View, California usually reserved for the likes of Tim McGraw or Dave Matthews concerts. Hailing from all over the United States — including Montana, West Virginia, and Mississippi — and all over the world — including Ukraine,...
Fans have a compelling theory about the helmet of the new ‘Star Wars’ villain
The new line of “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” toys debuted Friday, September 4, and with it came a few hints at the next villain of the new trilogy. A few toys debuted the voice of Kylo Ren, the dark, Darth Vader-obsessed warrior, which gave us a chance to hear a few of the character’s spoken lines in the new film. But many of...
We’re reportedly about to see some familiar Russian faces in Syria — and that’s trouble
Some of the Russian troops reportedly being sent to Syria are from the same brigade that helped annex Crimea, according to a lengthy investigation conducted by Ruslan Leviev, a specialist in social-media intelligence. The Kremlin has declined to comment, but, if true, “the deployment of an elite unit from Crimea, which inaugurated...
