Section: KXAN (USA)
Ukraine: Russia-backed rebels overrun another town in east
ARTEMIVSK, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s military has acknowledged that Russia-backed separatists have overrun another town in their onslaught against government troops in the east of the country. Military spokesman Vladislav Seleznyov said the separatist forces, backed by tanks, attacked the town of Vuhlehirsk on Thursday and government troops...
Syria talks in Moscow end without visible results
MOSCOW (AP) — Representatives of the Syrian government and the opposition have wrapped up four days of consultations in Russia with a general statement avoiding any sharp issues. Vitaly Naumkin, the head of the Moscow-based Institute for Eastern Studies who moderated the discussions, said Thursday they focused on a platform for future talks and...
Gorbachev warns of military conflict between Russia, West
MOSCOW (AP) — Ex-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev says the confrontation between Russia and the West could spill into all-out war. More than 5,100 people have been killed in a bloody conflict in eastern Ukraine between government troops and pro-Russian separatists. Ukraine accuses Russia of aiding the separatists while Russia says the West is...
UN seeking $3.1 billion to help children at risk
BERLIN (AP) — The United Nations is appealing for $3.1 billion to reach 62 million children at risk in humanitarian crises worldwide, including those living in Ukraine, Syria and other conflict zones and in areas affected by the Ebola epidemic. The U.N. children’s agency UNICEF said Thursday the largest portion, $903 million, would be...
Russia suspends role in Europe’s human rights watchdog
STRASBOURG, France (AP) — The head of Russia’s delegation to Europe’s human rights watchdog says the country will suspend its role after losing its right to vote. The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on Wednesday voted to renew sanctions against Russia, which included stripping its voting rights over the conflict in...
Russia urged to free Ukrainian officer on hunger strike
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia has come under pressure from Europe’s human rights watchdog and the United States to free Nadezhda Savchenko, a Ukrainian air force officer who is on hunger strike in a Russian prison. Savchenko is awaiting trial on charges of involvement in the killing of two Russian journalists during the conflict in eastern Ukraine....
Sochi hockey team thriving a year after Winter Olympics
SOCHI, Russia (AP) — Many Russians laughed when Sochi was selected to host the 2014 Winter Olympics. Not only was Sochi one of the warmest places in Russia, it also had no history of winter sports. But against all odds, Sochi now boasts a professional ice hockey team and a steady following of fans who turn the otherwise deserted Olympic Park into...
Lavrov: Syrian meeting in Moscow should help peace
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia’s foreign minister says Moscow consultations between representatives of the Syrian government and the opposition should help pave the way for a peaceful settlement. Sergey Lavrov told participants of the meeting that support for Syria as a sovereign, united and secular state could be the basis for moving toward a...
Ukraine says 3 soldiers killed in fighting in the east
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — A Ukrainian official says three soldiers have been killed in the past 24 hours in fighting in eastern Ukraine. Military spokesman Andriy Lysenko told reporters on Wednesday that the situation remains tense and that pro-Russian rebels are attacking the army on all fronts. The military conflict between Russia-backed separatists...
Russia considers condemning “annexation” of East Germany
MOSCOW (AP) — The speaker of the Russian Duma has asked a parliamentary committee to study a proposal to condemn the reunification of Germany in 1990. Sergei Naryshkin earlier this week faced scathing criticism of Russia’s annexation of Crimean peninsula when he spoke at the Parliament Assembly of Europe. Russian news agencies say Communist...
