Section: KXAN (USA)
China says it is building its second aircraft carrier
BEIJING (AP) — China says it is building its second aircraft carrier, this time entirely with domestic technology. Defense Ministry spokesman Col. Yang Yujun told reporters at a news conference Thursday that the 50,000-ton vessel is being built in the northern port of Dalian. China currently operates one refurbished aircraft carrier purchased...
In Russia, recession takes a bite out of the holiday feast
MOSCOW (AP) — For most Russians, it’s not New Year’s without a Salad Olivier, a dish meant to augur prosperity. This year, soaring food costs mean the tradition can also be a painful reminder of how rapidly many Russians’ wealth is fading amid recession and Western sanctions. The mix of chicken, potatoes, peas, carrots and...
Crimeans enter 2016 struggling, but optimistic
SEVASTOPOL, Crimea (AP) — As New Year’s Eve approaches, the central square of Crimea’s largest city is festooned with bright festive decorations, including a soaring artificial tree that flashes and winks. But areas just a few steps away are sunk in darkness, the street lamps turned off because of an electricity shortage. Sevastopol...
OSCE mission comes under fire in eastern Ukraine
MOSCOW (AP) — A team of international observers monitoring the shaky cease-fire in eastern Ukraine says it came under fire while inspecting a village. No injuries were reported in the incident Sunday in Kominternove. A statement from the monitoring mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said the team came under...
Ousted Russian Orthodox Church cleric assails Russian elites
MOSCOW (AP) — A conservative priest who lost his high-level job at the Russian Orthodox Church assailed Russia’s “immoral elites” Friday and predicted a national catastrophe if the country fails to allow free public discussion. Father Vsevolod Chaplin, who headed the Moscow Patriarchate’s department for cooperation between church and...
Pope encourages UN-backed peace process for Syria, Libya
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Francis is praying that recent U.N.-backed peace agreements for Syria and Libya will quickly end the suffering of their people while praising the generosity of those countries that have taken in their refugees. Speaking from the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Francis issued a Christmas Day peace appeal...
Malaysia’s new Islamic airline takes off _ with a prayer
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The short domestic flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s biggest city, begins with a recital of Prophet Muhammad’s supplication before his travel. The passengers — most of them Muslims — cup their hands, as a crew member murmurs a short prayer over the loudspeaker just before takeoff. Malaysia’s...
Ukraine media says govt has banned Limp Bizkit leader Durst
MOSCOW (AP) — Ukrainian news media are reporting that the country’s national security service has banned the leader of the group Limp Bizkit from entering the country for five years. Fred Durst, the founder of the group and its lead singer, was quoted in news reports in October as saying he was interested in buying a house in Crimea, the...
EU extends Russia sanctions for another 6 months
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union has renewed its economic sanctions against Russia for six months, after concluding that Moscow has failed to fully respect a peace agreement in eastern Ukraine. The sanctions target Russia’s financial, energy and defense sectors as well as some dual-use goods. The EU Council said in a statement Monday that...
Children take seats at Ukraine’s often-rowdy parliament
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — The Ukrainian parliament, better known for its frequent fistfights, on Friday replaced its rowdy deputies with children — but only for one day. Heated debates at the Verkhovna Rada in Kiev have in the past spilled over into scuffles. One deputy a week ago lifted Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk from the rostrum and dragged...
