Section: Voice of America (USA)
New Congress Could Push Obama Toward Tougher Action on Ukraine
The Obama administration says sanctions against those backing separatists in eastern Ukraine are having an impact on the Russian economy, but the coming change of legislative power in Washington may affect U.S. policy toward the government in Kyiv. VOA’s Scott Stearns has more. …read more Source: Voice of...
IMF Says Eurozone Growth Could Be Worse Than Expected
The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday warned of downside risks to its growth projections for the eurozone, and it urged the European Central Bank to act if prices in the currency bloc continue to drift lower. The IMF’s warning echoes an increasing fear among global policymakers that Europe is not on track to spur economic growth,...
Russia to Sharply Extend Bomber Flights
Russia says it is sharply extending the range of its bomber flights from the Arctic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, a new show of military force even as Moscow continues to spar with the West over its intervention in Ukraine. Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu announced the new flights Wednesday, saying that “in the current...
Ukraine Defense Minister Warns of Possible New Rebel Offensive
Ukraine’s defense minister Stepan Poltorak says Kyiv’s forces are redeploying in preparation for a possible new offensive by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. Poltorak told a government meeting Wednesday that the rebels have received reinforcements, and said his main task is “to prepare for military action.” There has been...
East-West Divisions Highlight Germany’s Patchwork Economy
The bells of Dresden’s Kreuzkirche were gutted by fire in World War II and were slowly rebuilt over the following decades, like much of the rest of the city. Dresden is now seen as the perfect example of successful German reunification. Since 1990, state support and investment have helped it blossom into a booming city of industry and...
Ruble’s Slide Resumes in Test for Putin, Central Bank
The ruble resumed its dramatic slide on Tuesday, a day after the Russian central bank floated the currency that has been driven sharply lower by falling oil prices and economic sanctions imposed over Russia’s policy in Ukraine. Stability for the currency is one of the main achievements of President Vladimir Putin’s 14-year rule, and...
Obama, Putin Meet With Tensions on Several Fronts
President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin have met briefly on the sidelines of a conference in Beijing, covering a few of the key global issues on which their governments do not agree. Obama and Putin flanked Chinese President Xi Jinping and exchanged comments about the room as leaders walked into the venue for Tuesday’s...
Russia, Australia Leaders Urge Quicker MH17 Probe
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott have agreed on the need to speed up the investigation into the crash of a Malaysia Airlines flight in eastern Ukraine. A Kremlin statement said talks on the July crash dominated a Tuesday meeting between the two leaders on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Summit...
British PM Warns Russia on Actions in Ukraine
British Prime Minister David Cameron said “Russia’s relationship with the rest of the world will be radically different in the future” if it continues what he called Moscow’s “illegal actions in Ukraine.” In a speech Monday, Cameron said Russia’s actions are “destabilizing a sovereign state” and...
Russia Launches New Media Brand Called ‘Sputnik’
Russia has launched another state-run, international “media brand” called Sputnik, a name with connotations of the Cold War. Sputnik, according to a statement, is for people who are “tired of aggressive propaganda promoting a unipolar world and want a different perspective.” Announcing the launch Monday in Moscow, Dmitry Kiselev, referred to by...
