Corruption and Aid Diversion Corrode Former Eastern Bloc
Aid diversion from rural agricultural communities continues as systemic corruption corrodes what is left of Eastern European democracy
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Ukraine
Focus on the “Anti-Vax” Movement: Ukraine
Ukraine is one of the most notable cases in the world-wide phenomenon of vaccine-hesitancy. With more than 53,200 confirmed cases of measles and 15 attributed deaths, Ukraine had the highest number of measles cases in the world in 2018.
Read MoreUkraine Kerch Strait Ship Captured by Russia
Tthe Ukrainian navy announced that Russia’s coast guard opened fire on and seized three of Ukraine’s vessels. The sea clash wounded two crewmembers, further escalating tensions after Moscow’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Read MoreMH17 Report Gives More Fodder to Russia’s Spin Doctors
On September 28, one of the more interesting events in the Russia-Ukraine hostilities came to light as the Dutch Joint Investigation Team (JIT) released their findings on the MH17 plane crash. The report claimed that a Russian Buk missile was indeed used to take down the plane, fired from a field controlled by pro-Russian rebels. There is one vitally important question that still stands: what does this mean for the Putin administration?
Read MoreYet Another Truth For Russia to Deny
Both Russia’s Foreign and Defense Departments have stated that evidence was sourced from the Internet and Ukrainian security services, according to the Washington Post. “Thus the objectivity of the information, and the subsequent conclusions made on it, must summon doubt,” said Russian military spokesman Major General Igor Konashenkov.
So, is bias against Russia the main motivator in the outcome of the investigation? Is there a worldwide conspiracy to paint Russia as the bad guy, the ultimate villain?
Russia Sentences Ukrainian Pilot to 22 Years
As of now, Savchenko’s health is declining. According to Ukraine Today, Ukrainian consuls visited her in prison and reported her refusing nourishment, and having nausea and a low blood pressure. Savchenko insists on being examined only by non-Russian doctors.
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Tension Between Ukrainian President, PM Escalates After Release of Panama Papers
With this information now made public, Poroshenko is in a delicate situation. In addition to Yatsenyuk, the President has been also been criticized for his record on fighting corruption.
Read MoreFocus on Territorial Dispute: Crimea and Donbass
BBC News has called this the “worst East-West crisis since the Cold War.”
Read MoreFocus on Immigration: Israel
Human rights groups have strongly condemned Israel for its harsh immigration policy towards African asylum-seekers, citing hypocrisy between their immigration bans to non-Jews and the open, streamlined process of immigration of European Jews.
Read MoreFrance to End Sanctions on Russia Over Ukraine
Hollande commended a high-level meeting with his German, Russian, and Ukrainian counterparts. The meeting was held in September, prior to the inauguration of the United Nations’ General Assembly in New York City. “I’m not for the policy of attaining goals by making things worse,” Mr. Hollande expressed in an interview on France’s Inter Radio. “I think that sanctions must stop now.”
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