Section: The Epoch Times (USA)
Ukraine’s Richest Man Plays Both Sides of War’s Frontline
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...
France Considering Airstrikes in Syria Against ISIS
PARIS—France will send reconnaissance flights over Syria beginning Tuesday and is considering airstrikes in the fight against the ISIS group, President Francois Hollande said, calling it necessary to fight against the “terrorism and war” that have left Europe vulnerable to attack. The United States is leading a coalition of countries that has...
New Ukraine Doctrine Declares Russia Military Opponent
KIEV, Ukraine—Ukraine’s national security council on Wednesday approved a new military doctrine that declares Russia to be a military opponent and calls for the country to pursue NATO membership. There was no immediate official reaction from Russia, which hotly denies claims that it has sent troops and equipment to separatist rebels in...
Grenade Explodes During Ukraine Clashes; 1 Officer Killed
KIEV, Ukraine— As lawmakers took up a measure to give greater powers to separatists in eastern Ukraine, nationalist protesters clashed with police outside parliament on Monday and the Interior Ministry said one officer was killed in a grenade blast and more than 100 wounded. It was the worst violence in the capital since the government took power...
Migration, Anti-Extremism Focus of Western Balkans Summit
VIENNA—Seeking to stem the flow of Mideast migrants, Austria’s foreign minister on Thursday floated elements of a five-point plan that foresees establishing safe havens in the region where those seeking asylum in the EU could be processed and — if they qualify — be given safe passage to Europe. Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz spoke on the...
Ukraine Reaches Debt Relief Deal With Creditors
MOSCOW—The Ukrainian government said Thursday it has reached a crucial deal with its international bondholders to lighten its public debt burden, a move that will help the country avoid default as it tries to cope with the devastating costs of war. As part of the deal, investors who own Ukraine’s bonds will write off 20 percent of their...
Ukrainian Filmmaker Sentenced to 20 Years by Russian Court
ROSTOV-ON-DON, Russia—A Russian court convicted a prominent Ukrainian filmmaker on Tuesday of conspiring to commit terror attacks and sentenced him to 20 years in prison. The court in the southern city of Rostov-on-Don said Oleg Sentsov had set up a terror cell in the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia annexed last year, and was plotting attacks. He...
Poland’s New Leader Seeks Greater Regional Unity, NATO Bases
WARSAW, Poland—It’s been a dream of some Polish leaders for nearly a century: an alliance of Eastern European countries running from the Baltic Sea down to the Black Sea that would keep Russia at bay. Poland’s conservative new president, Andrzej Duda, who took office two weeks ago, has already signaled that building such an alliance...
Russia Reportedly Developing a Nuclear-Powered Aircraft Carrier
A report from a Russian state-run news agency this week is saying the country’s future aircraft carrier will be equipped with a nuclear reactor. “The project of a future Russian aircraft carrier, or as it is sometimes referred to as naval aircraft carrying complex, is in the design phase. Research conducted by the Nevskoye Design Bureau...
Russia Steamrolls Western Cheese, Fruit to Enforce Ban
MOSCOW — The Russian government was steamrolling tons of contraband cheese and destroying fruit with tractors Thursday in a public display of its commitment to its one-year-old ban on Western foods. The move, however, has raised protests in Russia, with people signing a petition urging the government to instead donate the food to the poor...
