Section: San Francisco Chronicle (USA)
Putin confident on economy, offers to mend ties with West
MOSCOW (AP) — Russia has weathered the worst of its economic troubles and is on the road to recovery, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday during a marathon call-in TV show, offering to normalize ties with the West if it treats Moscow as an equal partner and not a “vassal.” Putin mixed promises with stern warnings and some humor...
Ukraine’s disabled condemned to life in institutions
Disability Rights International said its three-year investigation found that Ukraine is expanding its pool of orphanages and children’s homes, going against a global trend toward aiding the disabled to integrate into society. Children in institutions in Ukraine are exposed to physical and sexual violence and live in danger of being...
Putin says Russian economy remains strong
Speaking Thursday in a televised call-in show with the nation, Putin said the nation’s economic performance has remained strong, despite Western sanctions slapped on Russia over the Ukrainian crisis and a slump in global oil prices. …read more Source: San Francisco...
Ukraine’s disabled condemned to life in institutions
The group said it found over the course of a three-year investigation that children in institutions in Ukraine are exposed to physical and sexual violence and live in danger of being trafficked for sex, labor and pornography. …read more Source: San Francisco...
Kerry: still confident US can conclude Iran nuclear deal
LUEBECK, Germany (AP) — Secretary of State John Kerry said Wednesday he is still confident that the U.S. administration can conclude a nuclear deal with Iran after President Barack Obama agreed to sign legislation giving Congress the right to reject an agreement. Steinmeier said other topics would include conflicts in the Middle East, prospects...
Fighting in eastern Ukraine rages on overnight despite talks
On the ground, however, even the previous agreement that called for a cease-fire and a withdrawal of heavy weaponry appeared to be shaky. Rebel mouthpiece Donetsk News Agency reported one rebel fighter dead and five wounded in the overnight clashes. …read more Source: San Francisco...
Ukraine fighting escalates as diplomats bid opens to quell crisis
Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said Sunday that its mission observed an intense clash with the use of tanks and heavy artillery as well as grenade launchers and mortars in the north of the rebel stronghold of Donetsk. On Sunday alone, the OSCE recorded at least 1,166 explosions, caused mainly by artillery...
German FM: Russia’s return to G-8 depends on Ukraine deal
Steinmeier said Monday’s talks, which he predicted would be lengthy, would focus on laying the groundwork for a local election in the rebel-occupied areas; restarting the process of exchanging prisoners of war; and improving the dire economic situation in eastern Ukraine. Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in...
Fighting picks up in war-torn eastern Ukraine
Observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said Sunday that its mission observed an intense clash with the use of tanks and heavy artillery as well as grenade launchers and mortars in the north of the rebel stronghold of Donetsk. The military conflict between Russian-backed rebels and government forces has killed more...
Arms spending up globally, except in US, Western Europe
American spending was reduced by 6.5 percent as part of measures to cut the U.S. budget deficit, while the three biggest arms spenders after the U.S. — China, Russia and Saudi Arabia — greatly increased their purchases. SIPRI program director Sam Perlo-Freeman said the conflict in Ukraine has prompted many European countries near Russia to...
