Section: Voice of America (USA)
EU Resumes Direct Aid to Zimbabwe
The European Union has given Zimbabwe 234 million euros ($267 million), it said on Monday, the first time the bloc has given financial aid to the southern African nation’s government since imposing sanctions in 2002. The 28-nation EU has gradually eased biting sanctions on Zimbabwe to encourage political reform, although it has kept an...
Heavy Armor Withdrawal in Ukraine Set to Begin Monday
Withdrawal of heavy armor from the frontlines in Ukraine is set to begin Monday under terms of the cease-fire deal aimed at ending the fighting in the country’s east. Sunday marked the first full day of the cease-fire, which appears largely to be holding except in the key railway town of Debaltseve, where most of the fighting has taken...
Ukrainian City Honors Rocket Attack Victims as Shaky Cease-Fire Comes Into Effect
In Kramatorsk, Ukraine’s regional military headquarters for battling Russia-backed rebels in the east, officials held a memorial Saturday for those killed in a Tuesday rocket attack. A midnight cease-fire has stopped most fighting between Ukrainian forces and the rebels, though some sporadic clashes continue. Concerns remain focused on the...
French Fighter Jet Sale to Egypt: Triumph and Questions
French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian is due in Cairo Monday to sign off on a $5.9 billion purchase by Egypt of 24 French Rafale fighter jets and a frigate. The deal boosts France’s struggling economy and helps bolster Egypt’s military arsenal in the face of rising insecurity. Some are questioning why France is going ahead with...
Ukrainian City Remembers Rocket Attack Victims
In Kramatorsk, Ukraine’s regional military headquarters for battling Russia-backed rebels in the east, officials held a memorial Saturday for those killed in a Tuesday rocket attack. A midnight cease-fire has stopped most of the fighting between Ukrainian forces and the rebels, though some sporadic clashes continue. Concerns remain focused...
Security Firm: Cybercrime Ring Stole Up to $1B From Banks
A multinational gang of cybercriminals has stolen as much as $1 billion from as many as 100 financial institutions around the world in about two years, Russian computer security company Kaspersky Labs said Saturday. The company said it was working with Interpol, Europol and authorities from different countries to try to uncover more details on...
Greek Threats to Court Russian Loans Anger European Leaders
Greece has threatened to seek financial help from Russia if negotiations to ease the terms of its European Union bailout collapse, angering European leaders who feel Moscow has been fueling the conflict in Ukraine. Henry Ridgwell reports from London. …read more Source: Voice of...
Fighting Rages in Ukraine With Cease-Fire Set to Take Effect
Fighting raged in Ukraine Saturday between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists, just hours before a cease-fire aimed at halting the conflict it set to take effect. The cease-fire is due to be implemented at midnight Saturday (12:00 a.m. Sunday local time, 2200 UTC Saturday), several days after the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, France...
Ukrainian Officials: 8 Soldiers Killed Despite Truce Deal
Ukrainian military officials say eight soldiers have been killed and 34 wounded in fighting in east Ukraine in the past day, despite a four-nation cease-fire deal that was reached Thursday but is not yet in effect. The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France signed the deal in the Belarussian capital, Minsk, after 16 hours of talks. They...
UN Hails Ukraine Cease-fire; US Warns Against its Violation
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is praising the efforts of key world leaders to end fighting in eastern Ukraine, saying he expects the truce deal reached Thursday in Belarus to be honored by all parties. Ban’s statement came hours after the leaders of Ukraine, Russia, Germany and France announced a pullback of forces battling...
