Section: San Francisco Chronicle (USA)
Amid battle against IS, Iraqis face cholera outbreak
The cause lies partially with Iraq’s antiquated and badly maintained water and sewage systems, and the outbreak comes at a time when Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s government is already struggling with large demonstrations protesting the government’s inability to provide security or basic public services. In Baghdad’s...
Ukraine’s richest man plays both sides of war’s front line
KRASNODON, Ukraine — In this town deep in eastern Ukraine’s rebel heartland, about a quarter of the population works in the coal mines owned by billionaire Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine’s richest man. Here and elsewhere in territory controlled by the separatist insurgency, the tycoon keeps the lights on and people clothed and fed, with a...
Media freedom declining in Europe, free-press advocate warns
WARSAW — A leading advocate for media freedom warned Tuesday that the climate for journalists in Europe is deteriorating as governments react to political crises with restrictions that include physical harassment, bans on freedom of movement and limits on freedom of expression. Dunja Mijatovic, media freedom representative for the Organization...
High-profile trial of Ukrainian officer begins in Russia
Russian investigators allege that Savchenko, who served in a volunteer battalion fighting alongside government troops against Russia-backed rebels, provided the coordinates for a mortar attack that killed the journalists in June 2014. Savchenko, who spent 83 days on a hunger strike to protest her detention, has become a hero figure for Ukrainians...
Free press advocate warns media freedom on decline in Europe
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — A leading advocate for media freedom warned Tuesday that the climate for journalists in Europe is deteriorating as governments react to political crises with restrictions that include physical harassment, bans on freedom of movement and limits on freedom of expression. Dunja Mijatovic, media freedom representative for the...
Ukraine’s richest man plays both sides of war’s frontline
KRASNODON, Ukraine (AP) — In this town deep in eastern Ukraine’s rebel heartland, about a quarter of the population works in the coal mines owned by billionaire Rinat Akhmetov, Ukraine’s richest man. Here and elsewhere in territory controlled by the separatist insurgency, the tycoon keeps the lights on and people clothed and fed, with...
Putin moves to establish Russian military base in Belarus
MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signaled his intention to establish a Russian military air base in neighboring Belarus — a move sure to unnerve Poland and the Baltic nations. “Against the background of the Ukrainian crisis, the stationing of a permanent Russian military contingent in Belarus will upset the...
Russians with Western ties increasingly branded ‘traitors’
The Russian government increasingly has portrayed any cooperation with foreign companies or nationals as a potential security threat, a throwback to Soviet times when any interaction with foreigners aroused suspicion. The eclectic group of Russians charged with treason this year includes a mother of seven, a Sochi traffic controller, a Black Sea...
Putin, Berlusconi in Ukraine probe for drinking rare Crimea wine
MOSCOW — Ukrainian prosecutors are preparing charges against the director of a winery in Russian-occupied Crimea for allegedly uncorking a 240-year-old bottle for Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi. Ukrainian prosecutors responsible for Crimea said on Friday they are preparing to file embezzlement...
Putin, Berlusconi in Ukraine probe for drinking Crimea wine
MOSCOW (AP) — Ukrainian prosecutors are reportedly preparing charges against the director of a winery in Russian-occupied Crimea for uncorking a 240-year-old bottle for Russian President Vladimir Putin and former Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi. Putin and his old friend Berlusconi spent last weekend in Crimea, touring ancient ruins and visiting...
