Section: Voice of America (USA)
Political Crisis Boosts Moldova’s Pro-Russians but Corruption Real Threat
A corruption crisis unfolding in Moldova has given a boost to Russia-leaning political parties, say analysts, even as the country remains on a pro-Europe path. Protesters in January stormed the parliament building in the capital, Chisinau, and demanded new elections after the closed-door, midnight inauguration of Pavel Filip, the third prime...
Poland Relaunches Inquiry into 2010 Presidential Jet Crash in Russia
Poland’s new government on Thursday relaunched an inquiry into the death of President Lech Kaczynski in a plane crash in Russia in 2010, a move likely to strain Warsaw’s relations with its former overlord, already fragile over the Ukraine crisis. An inquiry by the previous government returned a verdict of pilot error but the winner of...
Russia’s Crisis Produces Paradox: Surging Luxury Car Sales
As Russia wrestles with an economic crisis, more and more Porsches and Rolls-Royces are appearing on its roads. It seems something of a paradox; while mass-market car sales in the country have tumbled along with the ruble and oil prices, one area is bucking the trend – luxury cars. Sales of Porsche, Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Lexus cars all...
Ukrainian Economy Minister Resigns; West Deeply Disappointed
Ukraine’s economy minister tendered his resignation Wednesday, citing political pressure and corruption. Aivaras Abromavicius said the country’s leadership had routinely blocked his reform efforts and that the economy ministry was at the mercy of corrupt vested interests. “Neither me, nor my team have any desire to serve as a...
National Power Grids Increasingly Targeted in Cyber Attacks
Ukraine’s electric power grid is once again under cyberattack, just one month after a similar incident successfully brought down portions of the system and left millions in the dark. Worse, researchers studying the attacks say the malware believed responsible – a new version of the so-called BlackEnergy bug – has likely spread to numerous...
Russia Shrugs Off Allegations Against Putin
The story of Russian President Vladimir Putin over the last few years has been one of his steady descent from a leader welcomed and even feted around the world to one who has had allegations of murder and corruption levied at him. Last month, a British public inquiry concluded Putin probably signed off on the 2006 murder of a former Russian spy...
GOP Lawmakers Seek to End Purchase of Russian Rocket Engines
American tax dollars should not subsidize the purchase of Russian rocket engines because the sales help enrich the friends of President Vladimir Putin, say two senior Republican lawmakers who aim to reverse the current practice. House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., are introducing legislation Wednesday to...
Report: World Freedom in Decline for 10th Year
More aggressive tactics by authoritarian regimes, an upsurge in terrorist attacks and a global economic downturn have contributed to a disturbing decline in global freedom in 2015, according to a U.S.-based international human rights group. In its newly released annual report, Freedom House found an overall drop in freedom for the 10th...
Analyst: Kremlin Critics Under Increasing Pressure
A British public inquiry’s finding that Russian President Vladimir Putin likely approved the assassination of a former Russian spy turned Kremlin critic in London has renewed attention on the number of Putin’s opponents jailed or killed since he came to power. Russian authorities quickly dismissed the inquiry’s assessment — that...
Britain Under Pressure to Punish Putin Over Litvinenko Poisoning
Calls grew Friday for the government of British Prime Minister David Cameron to penalize Russia following the release Thursday of the results of a public inquiry on the 2006 murder of dissident Alexander Litvinenko. The exiled former Russian spy died after meeting two Russian agents at a London hotel and drinking green tea they had laced with...
