Section: San Francisco Chronicle (USA)
German exports plunge in August amid Ukraine fears
BERLIN (AP) — German exports plunged in August as increasing uncertainty over the crisis in Ukraine and the timing of summer holidays combined to produce the largest drop in five years. ING Economist Carsten Brzeski says the cooling of many export destinations combined with increased uncertainty about Ukraine “look like the main drivers of...
News of the day from across the globe
Hundreds of people have died in fighting in eastern Ukraine since a cease-fire was agreed to by the government and armed separatists last month, the United Nations reported Wednesday, saying it had also received reports of mass graves containing hundreds of bodies. The revision, the first since 1997, comes at a time of heightened Japan-China...
UN says hundreds killed during Ukraine cease-fire
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein said in a statement that the security crisis needed to be tackled so residents of east Ukraine could reclaim their rights to education, adequate health care, housing and employment. Separatist fighters have been observed firing artillery from residential areas, eliciting hasty...
East Ukraine rebels keep up drive to take airport
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Defense officials in Ukraine say there has been no letup in efforts by pro-Russia separatist fighters in the east to capture the airport in the main rebel-held city of Donetsk. Security spokesman Andriy Lysenko said Tuesday that rebels fired on the terminal from tanks, artillery systems and multiple rocket launchers....
Putin celebrates 62nd birthday in wild Siberia
Putin celebrated his birthday Tuesday in the Siberian forest some “300-400 kilometers (185-250 miles) from the nearest populated area,” his press secretary told Russian news media. Russian news websites published photographs from a one-day exhibition in Moscow titled “The 12 Labors of Vladimir Putin,” in which Putin is...
New NATO chief brings Poles message of reassurance
Stoltenberg also stressed that NATO is ready to protect and defend each of its allies, a message of reassurance meant to alleviate Poland’s fears. Since the conflict in Ukraine began this year Polish leaders have repeatedly called for NATO to do more to protect their country. …read more Source: San Francisco...
Ukraine gets drones to help monitor shaky truce
KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine’s prime minister says two drones have been delivered to the country so international observers can monitor the shaky cease-fire between government forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Monday the drones will be given to the Organization for Security and...
Latvia’s center-right ruling coalition wins vote
RIGA, Latvia (AP) — Latvia’s ruling center-right coalition parties have won a majority of seats in a parliamentary election dominated by security issues and the Ukraine crisis. …read more Source: San Francisco...
Ukraine’s truce in trouble amid airport battle
The barrage has intensified this week, with shells hitting apartment buildings, a school, a bus stop, and the Red Cross office. Negotiators representing Russia, Ukraine, pro-Russian rebels and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe tried to consolidate the cease-fire with a follow-up agreement to create a buffer zone that...
Latvians hold election in shadow of Ukraine crisis
The center-right coalition government, which welcomed the buildup of NATO forces in the region as protection against Russia, is pitted against the opposition Harmony party, a left-leaning group — supported mainly by the country’s Russian-speaking minority — which favors balancing Latvia’s Western orientation with stronger links to...
