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Tag: Ukraine

  • Dell Shuts Down Russia Operations

    Dell Shuts Down Russia Operations

    Dell is the latest company to shut down its operations in Russia in response to that country’s invasion of Ukraine.

    Russia has faced international sanctions by countries and corporations alike in response to the invasion. According to Reuters, Dell is the latest company to join the ever-growing list of companies taking action.

    Dell had previously suspended sales in Russian and Ukraine in February before closing its offices in mid-August.

    “In mid-August, we closed our offices and ceased all Russian operations,” Dell spokesperson Mike Siemienas told Reuters.

    “Back in February, we made the decision to not sell, service or support products in Russia, Belarus and the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, in addition to the already embargoed Crimea.”

  • Russian Invasion of Ukraine Threatens Fragile Semiconductor Supply

    Russian Invasion of Ukraine Threatens Fragile Semiconductor Supply

    In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, experts are concerned the conflict could significantly impact the semiconductor supply chain.

    Semiconductor manufacturers have been struggling to keep up with demand since the outset of the pandemic. Early lockdowns and quarantines impacted supply, while people working from home and avoiding public activities drove up demand.

    According to VentureBeat, research firm Techcet attributes Ukraine with supplying 90% of the neon gas used in the lasers the US semiconductor industry relies on to manufacture chips. Further complicating the issue, Russia supplies 35% of the palladium for US chipmakers.

    CNBC is reporting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says Russian troops have been stopped “in most directions,” as of early Friday morning. It’s unclear if the situation will stabilize, or if it will continue to deteriorate.

    One thing is certain: The longer the conflict goes on, the more likely the semiconductor supply chain will fall further behind.

  • Google Deploys Air Raid Alerts on Android to Help Ukrainians

    Google Deploys Air Raid Alerts on Android to Help Ukrainians

    Google is deploying an Air Raid Alerts system for Android users in Ukraine, in an effort to help them stay safe.

    Android is the most widely used mobile operating system (OS) on the market, especially outside of the US. With so many Ukrainians living under fear of aerial bombing, Google is looking to help individuals receive warning in time to take shelter.

    Tragically, millions of people in Ukraine now rely on air strike alerts to try to get to safety. At the request, and with the help, of the government of Ukraine, we’ve started rolling out a rapid Air Raid Alerts system for Android phones in Ukraine. This work is supplemental to the country’s existing air raid alert systems, and based on alerts already being delivered by the Ukrainian government.

    With tech companies often in the news for negative reasons, it’s nice to see the good tech companies can do, using their products and services to help save lives.

  • Visa and Mastercard Suspend Russia Business

    Visa and Mastercard are the latest, and two of the most influential, companies to suspend operations in Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

    Visa and Mastercard answered calls from President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to suspend their business in Russia, in an effort to make Russia’s invasion as costly to the country as possible. According to The Guardian, both companies are isolating Russia, preventing cards issued in the country from working outside, and vise versa.

    “We are compelled to act following Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, and the unacceptable events that we have witnessed,” said Alfred Kelly, Visa’s CEO.

    “We regret the impact this will have on our valued colleagues, and on the clients, partners, merchants and cardholders we serve in Russia.”

    “This war and the ongoing threat to peace and stability demand we respond in line with our values.”

    Mastercard echoed those sentiments in their own statement:

    “For more than a week, the world has watched the shocking and devastating events resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

    “Our colleagues, our customers and our partners have been affected in ways that most of us could not imagine.

    “We don’t take this decision lightly. Mastercard has operated in Russia for more than 25 years.

    “We have nearly 200 colleagues there who make this company so critical to many stakeholders.

    “As we take these steps, we will continue to focus on their safety and wellbeing, including continuing to provide pay and benefits.”

    While the companies are clearly working to isolate Russia, domestic customers will still be able to use their cards in-country, according to The Guardian.

  • Apple Suspends Business in Russia in Response to Russian Invasion

    Apple Suspends Business in Russia in Response to Russian Invasion

    Apple has joined other companies in imposing its own sanctions against Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.

    The international community is largely relying on sanctions and economic measures to force Russia to end its invasion. Many companies have suspended business with Russia and Russian-owned businesses, and Apple now joins those ranks.

    In an email seen by MacRumors, CEO Tim Cooks explained the company’s stance:

    We have taken a number of actions in response to the invasion. We have paused all product sales in Russia. Last week, we stopped all exports into our sales channel in the country. Apple Pay and other services have been limited. RT News and Sputnik News are no longer available for download from the App Store outside Russia. And we have disabled both traffic and live incidents in Apple Maps in Ukraine as a safety and precautionary measure for Ukrainian citizens. We will continue to evaluate the situation and are in communication with the relevant governments on the actions we are taking. We join all those around the world who are calling for peace.

    Pausing traffic and live incidents in Maps is similar to action Google took. In both cases, the companies are likely concerned Russian forces could use the software to pinpoint Ukrainian troop movements or fleeing refugees.

    Cook also highlighted how Apple employees can donate to humanitarian efforts:

    Apple is donating to humanitarian relief efforts and providing aid for the unfolding refugee crisis. We are also working with partners to assess what more we can do. I know that many of you are eager to find ways to support as well, and we want to help amplify the impact of your donations. Starting today, Apple will match your donations at a rate of 2:1 for eligible organizations, and we will make this retroactive for donations to those organizations since February 25. Please visit the Employee Giving Portal to learn more.

    Even without a military response to Russia’s invasion, the cost is continuing to add up and may soon reach an untenable level.

  • Twitter Adding Warning Labels to Russian Propaganda Posts

    Twitter Adding Warning Labels to Russian Propaganda Posts

    Twitter is working to combat Russian propaganda, adding warning labels to tweets linked to such propaganda in the midst of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

    Tech companies are increasingly being drug into the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with many implementing their own sanctions against Russia in the face of its attack. In the meantime, social media has become an all-too-common battleground between facts and misinformation.

    Twitter is working to address that, with warning labels attached to propaganda Russia may be working to propagate. The news was announced by Yoel Roth, Head of Site Integrity at @Twitter.

    Today, we’re adding labels to Tweets that share links to Russian state-affiliated media websites and are taking steps to significantly reduce the circulation of this content on Twitter.

    We’ll roll out these labels to other state-affiliated media outlets in the coming weeks.

    Twitter’s action is just one of many Russia is facing as it embarks on the biggest invasion in Europe since World War II.

  • Some Google Maps Features Disabled in Ukraine Over Security Concerns

    Some Google Maps Features Disabled in Ukraine Over Security Concerns

    Google has taken the unusual step of disabling some features in Google Maps for Ukraine, likely out of concern Russian forces could use it in their invasion.

    Google Maps can provide live information regarding traffic and other conditions, but there has been some concern Russian invasion forces could use the feature to track Ukrainian troop movements or fleeing civilians. For example, according to Reuters, a professor at California’s Middlebury Institute of International Studies was able to track Russian troop buildup on the Ukrainian border before the invasion, a buildup that looked like a traffic jam.

    Google’s move comes as tech companies are implementing their own sanctions against Russia in a show of support and solidarity for Ukraine, and in an effort to make the Russian invasion as costly as possible for Vladimir Putin and his allies.

  • T-Mobile Offering Free US/Ukraine Calls For Those Impacted By The Conflict

    T-Mobile Offering Free US/Ukraine Calls For Those Impacted By The Conflict

    T-Mobile is offering free calls between the US and Ukraine, in an effort to help those impacted by the conflict.

    Russia invaded Ukraine this week, setting off what could become one of the biggest conflicts in Europe in decades. Companies are urging employees to shelter in place, and families are trying to stay in touch with loved ones.

    T-Mobile is trying to help friends and families stay in touch, waiving international fees for calls and texts made to and from the US and Ukraine.

    From February 24 to March 3, 2022, T-Mobile is waiving international long-distance and international roaming charges for calls and SMS made to/from U.S. and Ukraine for T-Mobile and Sprint postpaid and prepaid consumer and business customers. This includes calls made within Ukraine to local numbers to cover roaming customers in Ukraine.

  • Human Barbie Strangled Outside Home In Ukraine

    Valeria Lukyanova, also known as the “Human Barbie,” was allegedly attacked outside of her home in Ukraine when she returned to her house on Halloween night.

    According to the Daily Mail, Lukyanova was entering the lock code on her door when two men came out of the dark and started attacking her.

    “I came back home from a shop with bags and entered the door code when two men rushed from the dark and attacked me,” the 28-year-old model, who has transformed herself into looking like every little girl’s favorite toy, explained to the website.

    “They said nothing and did not try to rob me. It happened in a flash, they hit me on the head, several times on my jaw, then one of them began strangling me,” she continued. “If it wasn’t for my neighbor who suddenly appeared, I don’t know what would have happened. They saw her and ran away.”

    Valeria suffered injuries to her face, lips, and neck, and had to be hospitalized following the attack. “I feel a little better, but my jaw is still hurting badly,” she said. “I have been on the strongest pain killer for four days, but still woke in the middle of the night from horrible pains.”

    Since drastically altering her looks, Valeria has received many death threats. While there are skeptics that believe her injuries were from a new bout of plastic surgery, Valeria denies the claims and says she believes that this attack was linked to the threats.

  • Lolita Richi And The Misguided Human Barbie Trend

    It seems like every time your turn around there’s a new “Human Barbie” aka someone who for some reason has made it their mission in life to look like a walking, talking plastic child’s toy.

    Well, it takes all kinds I suppose.

    The latest barbie doll-esque sensation to hit the internet is named Lolita Richi, a native of Kiev, Ukraine.

    Yes, boys and girls, there is a 16-year-old girl-child posting pictures of herself looking the equivalent of a sex doll with the name “Lolita”.

    Allow me to distract you from the sound of stampeding perverted ephebophiles with this thought:

    What is going on in Ukraine to have so many young women feeling as if their life is meaningless if they can’t walk around wearing too much makeup, corsets (it may not be surgery, but I doubt these Human Barbies “woke up like dis”…), and wigs in an effort to look like a Dollar Store version of Barbie.

    Because let’s be perfectly honest…only Barbie looks like Barbie and even she doesn’t look like herself anymore.

    It’s quite disturbing that anyone could find this trend admirable, imitable, rather than sad. Especially when you remember that this is a teenage girl we’re talking about.

    When I was a child, Barbie represented the ability to do anything or be anything I wanted to be such as a teacher, astronaut, or the President of the United States.

    The fact that being a “Human Barbie” is simply being a plastic sexy doll is kind of sad. I mean let’s face facts: These girls are all going to age, as do we all. Meanwhile Barbie will remain young, as always.

    What becomes of one’s self when they spend their youth chasing after an image that is unrealistic and harmful while not bothering to develop an ambition to achieve anything of note.

    If you want a sexy blonde icon to emulate, go for Jayne Mansfield. She was a genius.

    Or if you’re not into platinum locks, opt for the sensual Hedy Lamarr. If it weren’t for her, we wouldn’t have Wifi internet today. True story.

    Bottom line: You can be beautiful, sexy, and invested in garnering more for yourself than the fleeting curiosity of perfect strangers debating whether or not you look actually like a blow-up doll in real life.

    And at 16, this girl really has no business looking REMOTELY like a blow-up doll in ANY life.

    Anyone else out there wondering who or where her parents are?

  • David Duchovny Defends Russian Beer Ad

    David Duchovny Defends Russian Beer Ad

    Actor David Duchovny recently defended a controversial Russian beer commercial he stars in, telling TMZ that he does not support Russian policy of late, especially the invasion of Ukraine.

    In the Sibirskaia Korona ad, which runs over two minutes long, Duchovny muses about how his life might have turned out if he was born in Russia instead of the United States. “This is the country where I was born and raised,” Duchovny says at the start of the rather epic video, adding, “But there is another country, where I got my family name from. And sometimes I wonder: What if things turned out differently? What if I were Russian?”

    Various little vignettes depict the actor as a ballet coach, a cosmonaut, a mullet-wearing bassist in a pop rock band and a hockey player missing a tooth.

    Yet, fans became a bit riled over the ad, especially after the recent downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 by pro-Russia separatists. Duchovny commented, “I am proud of my Russian, Ukrainian, Scottish and Polish heritage as I am proud of my American heritage.”

    The Sibirskaia Korona commercial spot:

    Duchovny adds, “But being proud of one’s ancestry is not a political statement on any current government or public policies.”

    The reaction to the commercial has been mixed on Twitter:

    Duchovny insists the beer commercial is not a political statement – “In retrospect, and in light of recent tragic events, I can now see the potential for misunderstanding and hope people will understand.”

    The former X-Files star recently completed a seven-season run on the Showtime hit dramedy Californication, and will appear in the new NBC police drama Aquarius. Duchovny will play a 1960s police sergeant investigating budding cult leader Charles Manson.

    Image via YouTube

  • Hayden Panettiere Pregnant: What Does It Mean for Nashville Season 3?

    Hayden Panettiere is reportedly pregnant with her first child.

    On Wednesday, US Weekly broke the news that Panettiere and fiancé Wladimir Klitschko are expecting a baby, quoting a source as saying that “Hayden is totally pregnant!”

    Panettiere hasn’t confirmed the report, which comes as no surprise given the fact that she took her time when it came to announcing her engagement to Klitschko.

    In April Panettiere told Parade that she and Klitschko, a heavyweight professional boxer, were postponing their wedding because of the unrest in his native country of Ukraine:

    “Everything that’s happening in Ukraine definitely put a hold on things. But we have time.”

    If the pregnancy reports are true, the couple didn’t apply the same “hold” to having a child that they did to the wedding ceremony.

    And it’s left Nashville fans wondering how the show, which ABC recently renewed for a third season, will handle Panettiere’s pregnancy.

    An obvious option is for show runners to write the pregnancy into the script.

    Season 2 ended with Panettiere’s character Juliette Barnes essentially ruining her relationship with Avery (Jonathan Jackson) by hooking up with record label executive Jeff Fordham (Oliver Hudson.)

    So would the baby be Avery’s or Jeff’s?

    As Zap It points out, Nashville is basically a nighttime soap opera. In keeping with the standards of that genre, the show could sensationalize Juliette’s dalliance with Jeff by having the paternity of her child be in question.

    From there, adoption would be a feasible option, since most viewers would agree that Juliette isn’t exactly mama material at this point on the show.

    Or Avery could forgive Juliette, marry her, and raise the baby with her regardless of who the father is.

    Another option is for Juliette and Avery to take the more traditional marriage-first-pregnancy-second route.

    And if the show runners decide not to write Panettiere’s pregnancy into the script?

    First of all, Juliette could take a leave of absence from the show in the form of an extended vacation, rehab, or an international tour.

    Or the show might follow in Scandal’s footsteps and attempt to hide the pregnancy by outfitting Panettiere in looser-fitting clothing (an option that would be rather out of character for Juliette) and strategically positioning her on set behind furniture, lamps, objets d’art, or extremely large purses.

    Image via Hayden Panettiere, Twitter

  • Hayden Panettiere is Pregnant with Her First Child

    Hayden Panettiere is pregnant! A source revealed to Us Weekly that the Nashville star and her fiancé, Wladimire Klitschko, are expecting their first child.

    “Hayden is totally pregnant!” said the source.

    The Heroes star and her fiancé have had an on-and-off-again relationship since meeting at a book party in 2009. After working things out and deciding they wanted to spend their lives together, they became engaged in 2013.

    In an interview for the May 2013 issue of Glamour, the petite actress expressed her desire to start a family with her 6-foot-6 fiancé.

    “I’ve lived a very big life, and I don’t feel my age, and I feel like I was born to be a mother,” she said. “Sometimes people speak about [having kids] like, ‘Your life ends—you’re never going to be able to do anything again!’ And I’m like, ‘What are you talking about?’ Motherhood is the most beautiful, exciting thing, and there’s nothing that I feel like I can’t accomplish while having children in my life.”

    She even joked about what her kids with the towering Klitschko might look like. “He’s got bowlegs and I’ve got knocked knees, so they’re going to have straight legs,” said Panettiere on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in November 2013. “And they’ll be normal height.”

    The couple recently put their wedding on hold due to unrest in Klitschko’s native Ukraine where his brother has just become the mayor of Kiev.

    “Everything that’s happening in Ukraine definitely put a hold on things. But we have time,” said Panettiere to Parade Magazine.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Russian Bombers Seen Flying Over Crimea Ahead Of Putin’s Visit

    Russian bombers used to cause little concern when seen flying. After all, it was probably just the Russian military performing some training exercises. With the conflict in the Ukraine, however, Russian bombers have now taken on an entirely new meaning for the citizens of Crimea.

    AFP reports that Russian bombers have been spotted flying over Crimea over the past few days. The planes were reportedly flying low and some were even caught refueling in mid-air. While nothing has been formally announced, some take this to mean that Russia is getting serious about protecting its interests in Crimea.

    Beyond protecting its interests, the planes are also a harbinger of Russian president Vladimir Putin’s visit to Crimea. The outspoken Russian president is said to be overseeing Russia’s own V-Day celebration this week and then will travel to Crimea on Friday.

    Interestingly enough, it appears that Russia is bringing out the “big guns” for his visit. According to aviation experts, the Sukhoi Su-34 could be seen among the planes flying over Crimea. This particular war plane has been designed for high-precision strikes and nuclear weapon launches. While it’s rather absurd to think Russia would ever load their plane with nuclear weapons, the use of these particular fighters does leave a lot of people on edge.

    Here’s the Su-34 in action:

    The other model spotted above Crimea is the Mikoyan MiG-29. This particular plane has been in production since the 80s, and continued to be built even after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Most of the planes flying over Crimea seem to be made up of this particular model.

    Here’s the MiG-29 in action:

    While these planes could simply be performing routine sweeps over Crimea, some people are really spooked. The situation in Crimea has led some to think a war is almost upon us and the presence of these planes will not calm those fears. Until the situation in Crimea and the Ukraine is resolved, the world will remain suspicious of Russia.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Russian Bombers Spotted Around Dutch, UK Airspace

    Russian bombers are apparently not all that an uncommon sight in Europe. Under normal conditions, nobody would really care if the Russian military came a little too close to a European nation’s airspace. Unfortunately, the world’s relationship with Russia is anything but normal at the moment.

    CNN is reporting that two Russian TU-95 bombers were spotted half a mile inside Dutch airspace on Wednesday. In response, the Dutch military launched a number of its own aircraft to escort the two Russian planes out of its territory. While the existence of Russian bombers inside Dutch airspace may seem like hostilities between Russia and Europe has heightened, the Dutch military doesn’t seem to think that way. A spokesperson for country’s military says its actions were standard protocol and that planes from Russia or other countries are found to have entered its airspace at least four times a year.

    What makes this particular story more interesting is that the British also got involved as it deployed aircraft of its own to check on the unidentified aircraft flying north of its airspace. It was found to be the same two Russian aircraft and the British military took over escort duties from the Dutch at that point. The British military says that the Russian bombers never entered its airspace, but rather remained in international airspace.

    In a separate, seemingly unrelated event, the British also intercepted a Russian naval ship as it moved past Britain. The British military said it was a standard event and that it has “always routinely intercepted, identified and escorted Russian air and naval assets that transit international airspace and waters within the UK’s ‘area of interest.’” Now it’s keeping an eye on the ship as it moves South.

    So, why all the tension if all this is standard protocol? If you’ve been following the news in and around Russia for the past few months, you’d know that the situation in the Ukraine has gotten out of hand. Pro-Russian and other forces are battling within the country to determine whether or not the people of the country want to become a part of Russia again. Russia has already sent troops to the country’s border and some think it’s going to invade sooner or later. The Western world is having none of it and has promised consequences for an invasion. Russia has responded that it will take appropriate action in the event that its interests in the Ukraine were threatened.

    For now, we can just accept the existence of Russian bombers in and around European airspace as just a standard occurrence. There’s no need to get worried just yet.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Hayden Panettiere Not Asked to Appear in ‘Heroes’ Reboot

    Hayden Panettiere recently told Cosmopolitan that she hasn’t been asked to appear in the upcoming Heroes reboot.

    “Well, it was a shock to me, and, in fact, I believe I became privy to that through my cousin,” Panettiere said. “She sent me a text message and told me about it, and, I mean, we had nothing, nothing to do with it; it will definitely be interesting to see how they reinvent that.”

    News broke in February that NBC plans to bring the popular show back in 2015 as a 13-episode miniseries.

    When asked what she thought her Heroes character Claire Bennet might have been up to in the years since the series ended in 2010, Panettiere said she thought the miniseries would include an entirely new set of characters.

    “It’s a little bit of an interesting feeling because you go, ‘That was our show, our home, our family,’ something that we had a major part in creating,” said Panettiere. “I hope that they don’t have somebody else playing our characters, that would be a little dagger in the heart. But, you never know. I wish them success in it, for sure.”

    The original series creator and executive producer Tim Kring will work on the reboot, which is titled Heroes: Reborn.

    Jennifer Salke, President of NBC Entertainment, has said “we won’t rule out the possibility of some of the show’s original cast members popping back in.”

    Panettiere is currently busy working on ABC’s hit country music drama Nashville. She plays rising country music star Juliette Barnes opposite costar and producer Connie Britton’s more seasoned country music legend Rayna Jaymes.

    In October 2013 Panettiere announced her engagement to world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko.

    She met the Ukrainian-born boxer at a book launch party six years ago and the two have dated on and off since then.

    They haven’t set a date, but Panettiere is already thinking about how she’d like to look on the big day:

    “I would like some really long, loose boho beach waves and just a nice golden tan … I want to be classy and elegant and sophisticated, but I also don’t want to forget my age. I want to be comfortable. I want it to be just sexy enough, but youthful at the same time.”

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Ukraine and Russia Make Plans to Ease Tensions

    Thursday morning, a four-party meeting was held in Geneva between the United States, the European Union, Russia, and Ukraine, with the intention being to create a plan which would lead to decreased overall hostilities between Ukraine and Russia and the end of the current violence in Eastern Ukraine. After six hours of talks, the four parties have come to an agreement as to how to alleviate the Ukrainian crisis, for now.

    The agreement the parties came to had three key criteria toward ending the current hostilities:

    1) All “illegally armed groups” in eastern Ukraine must lay down their weapons and cease violent activities.

    2) All government buildings and belongings which have been seized by insurgents must be returned to their proper owners.

    3) All pro-Russian insurgents will be given amnesty by the Ukrainian government as long as no capital crimes have been committed.

    The meeting came after Ukraine launched an anti-terror campaign on Tuesday to nullify the pro-Russian hostilities taking place in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine. The move was made in response to pro-Russian sympathizers seizing governmental buildings in ten eastern Ukrainian cities.

    In spite of the peace-talk meeting on Thursday, violence from the insurgents did not cease, with 300 pro-Russians attacking a military base in Mariupol, Ukraine. This attack was coupled with a message from the chairman of the people’s council in Donetsk asking for an early referendum to occur in May to decide if the Donetsk region of Ukraine wants to be annexed to Russia as Crimea did previously.

    Perhaps of more import, however, were the statements made by Russian president Vladimir Putin Thursday morning on national television.

    Until Thursday, Putin had denied any Russian troop involvement in Crimea prior to the vote for annexation. On Thursday, Putin’s tone changed completely.

    “Of course we had our servicemen behind the self-defense units of Crimea. We had to make sure what is happening now in eastern Ukraine didn’t happen there,” Putin defended.

    Putin would go on to add, “In Crimea, the threats to the Russian-speaking population were quite real, palpable. They turned to Russia for help. Russia never planned any annexation or military actions in Crimea… But when this situation came up, when people said they wanted self-determination, that’s when we knew what we had to do. Everyone in the National Security Council agreed. Everything was done quickly and decisively. There have been no analogues in global history.”

    Despite stating that the reason for Russian troops being deployed to Crimea was to ensure a fair and proper vote, Putin condemned Ukraine’s military presence in the east and warned that Russia would not deem Ukraine’s elections for a new president valid unless their current hostilities against the Russian-sympathizers in Ukraine changes.

    If Russia does not help bring about the end of the hostilities in eastern Ukraine, the United States is prepared to enact more sanctions against the Russian government. When asked if this Geneva agreement was the last of talks between the four-parties, Secretary of State John Kerry remained pragmatic: “All of this we are convinced represents a good day’s work, but on the other hand, this day’s work has produced principles, and it has produced commitments and it has produced words on paper. And we are the first to understand and agree that words on paper will only mean what the actions taken as a result of those words produce.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Ukraine Anti-Terror Campaign Begins in East Region

    On Tuesday, acting president of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov surprised many by following-up on his ultimatum laid down against Russian sympathizers in Eastern Ukraine on Sunday. The deadline for Russian supporters to lay down their arms and submit peacefully expired at 0600 GMT Monday. When Ukrainian forces did not immediately respond with force, many in the international community believed Turchynov to be full of empty promises. Turchynov proved those naysayers wrong today.

    “The Security Council has made a decision to begin a large-scale anti-terrorist operation with participation of army forces. We’re not going to allow Russia to repeat the Crimean scenario in Ukraine’s east,” stated Turchynov.

    The decision came as a result of pro-Russian forces gaining more and more traction in eastern Ukraine, most specifically in the Donetsk region. On Saturday, gunmen were able to take control of multiple government buildings in Slovyansk, Ukraine, a city 100 miles east of the Russian border. In all, nine cities have been taken control of by pro-Russian forces in the Donetsk region.

    “An anti-terrorist operation began in the north of Donetsk Oblast. It will be conducted step-by-step, responsibly, deliberately. The goal of these actions, I want to underline, is to defend the citizens of Ukraine,” Turchynov proclaimed to the Ukrainian parliament.

    Map of Eastern Ukrainian Activity

    Turchynov would go on to add, “The plans of the Russian Federation were and remain brutal. They want not only for Donbass (Donetsk region), but for the whole south and east of Ukraine to be engulfed by fire.” Turchynov stated that the goal of the anti-terror campaign is to “defend the citizens of Ukraine, to stop terror, stop crime and stop attempts to tear our country into pieces.”

    As it currently stands, soldiers have been transported to the Donetsk region by helicopter to attempt to recapture and hold the towns threatened by pro-Russian Ukrainians and Russian soldiers stationed along the border.

    Russia, as its position was with the incidents in Crimea, denies any coercion or assistance to the insurgents in eastern Ukraine. In fact, Russian leaders went as far as to say that if Ukraine decided to use military force against those Russian sympathizers in the Donetsk region, Russia would most likely back out of talks in Geneva to discuss the Ukrainian crisis. “You can’t send in tanks and at the same time hold talks. The use of force would sabotage the opportunity offered by the four-party negotiations in Geneva,” stated Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s foreign minister.

    Russian officials insisted that these uprisings “are the result of the Kiev authorities’ unwillingness and inability to take into account the interests of the Russian and Russian-speaking population.”

    President Obama and NATO secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen believe otherwise, however.

    Anders Fogh Rasmussen reported that “We never comment on intelligence, but I think from what is visible, it is very clear that Russia’s hand is deeply engaged in this.”

    The White House and President Obama believe along the same lines, as evidenced by Obama’s call to Putin to address the situation before it gets out of hand:

    “The president emphasised that all irregular forces in the country need to lay down their arms, and he urged president Putin to use his influence with these armed, pro-Russian groups to convince them to depart the buildings they have seized… The president noted Russia’s growing political and economic isolation as a result of its actions in Ukraine and made clear that the costs Russia already has incurred will increase if those actions persist… [He] said that while he continues to believe that a diplomatic solution is still possible, it cannot succeed in an environment of Russian military intimidation on Ukraine’s borders, armed provocation within Ukraine, and escalatory rhetoric by Kremlin officials.”

    One can only hope that some solution will come as a result of the four-party talks between the US, EU, Russia and Ukraine in Geneva, Switzerland this Thursday.

    Images via Twitter (1) (2)

  • Ukraine Crisis Deepens: Occupation, Sanctions and Troops on the Border

    Even though Russian President Vladimir Putin attempted last week to resolve the issue once and for all, the Ukraine crisis continues to see developments for the worse.

    Russian separatists have held control over several government buildings in the Ukraine for four days. According to AFP Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov has offered a deal “if people lay down their arms and free the administration buildings… we guarantee that we will not launch any criminal proceedings against them.” Despite his promise, the occupations continue as a blight in the midst of diplomatic talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the rest of the world.

    Of chief concern for western leaders is the crisis expanding, not just militarily but economically. Putin issued a letter Thursday giving Russia the credit of subsidizing the Ukrainian economy. According to Putin, Russia has sold gas to Ukraine at a low price, even though the Ukraine owes Russia a substantial debt. Putin now wants advance payment for the natural gas or he “will completely or partially cease gas deliveries”, a move which would devastate Ukraine’s economy.

    Since Russia supplies a lot of natural gas to Europe, leaders there are hesitant to impose any more sanctions. The United States is much less reluctant. Today, AFP reported that Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew said “the United States is prepared to impose additional significant sanctions on Russia if it continues to escalate the situation in Ukraine”.

    Russia continues to maintain its sizable military presence at the Ukrainian border. NATO published satellite photos of the Russian troop build up, estimating there could be as many as forty thousand troops stationed there. Director of the Comprehensive Crisis Operations and Management Centre at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Brigadier Gary Deakin said “The Russians have an array of capabilities including aircraft, helicopters, special forces, tanks, artillery, infantry fighting vehicles… and these could move in a matter of hours. These forces have a destabilizing effect and present serious implications for the security and stability of the region,”

    Image via WSJDigitalNetwork, YouTube

  • Wladimir Klitschko Preparing For April 26th

    Later this month in Oberhausen, Germany, Wladimir Klitschko will be defending his title against Alex Leapai. Klitschko was in Austria to talk about his upcoming fight and opponent.

    Many view the Samoan-Australian as the underdog, including Klitschko, and it’s understandable. While Klitschko is the reigning WBA (super), IBF, WBO, IBO and The Ring world champion, Leapai doesn’t have many titles under his belt.

    “With all the fights that he had in the past that I was looking at I could tell that he has not much experience with strategy and tactics and technique,” said Klitschko.

    Even though Leapai isn’t a well-known champion, Klitschko won’t be going easy on him.

    “I’ve been beating people up for a living since I was fourteen, professionally and I’m not going to under-estimate or take Alex Leapai easy,” Klitschko said,

    Leapai doesn’t have as much experience fighting as Klitschko, but Leapai does have one record that Klitschko doesn’t, he’s the first Australian to make a heavyweight challenge in 106 years.

    One person on Twitter thinks Leapai has a fighting chance against Klitschko.

    Former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis believes Leapai might be taking home the belt on April 26th. “There could be a surprise perhaps. He is a good challenger,” said Lewis.

    Klitschko’s recent 38th birthday didn’t keep the boxer from training for his upcoming fight.

    The Ukrainian champion said his parents were to thank for “giving him the mental resolve to prepare well for his matches.”

    While Klitschko is preparing for the fight, his mind is still on the recent troubles in Ukraine. Klitschko is the brother of Ukrainian opposition leader Vitali Klitschko, and recently quoted the late Nelson Mandela saying sports have the power to “change the world.”

    This fight against Leapai will be Klitschko’s first competitive fight since October.

    Image via Wladimir Klitschko, Twitter.

  • Human Barbie Valeria Lukyanova Accused Of Racism

    Valeria Lukyanova, better known as Human Barbie, has surprised people yet again with her comments.

    Michael Idov from GQ flew all the way to Ukraine, where Lukyanova is based, to conduct an interview. Lukyanova was consuming carrot juice with chutney, and nothing else. A few months ago, she declared that she will be converting to breatharianism, where she will not drink or eat and only thrive on sunlight and air. That decision surprised many, but the 28-year-old Barbie dropped another bombshell much to the surprise of Idov.

    In the interview, Lukyanova said that the popularity of plastic surgeries nowadays can be blamed on “race-mixing.” “Ethnicities are mixing now, so there’s degeneration,” she said. Lukyanova also said that there were more beautiful women in the 1950’s to the 1960’s who did not go under plastic surgery. “And now, thanks to degeneration, we have this.”

    Lukyanova has admitted to having her breasts enhanced. She also uses contact lenses and makeup in order to achieve her Barbie-like facial features. However, she insists that her tiny waist is all natural and the result of her diet and exercise regimen.

    Idov was so surprised at Lukyanova’s comments and even called her a “racist space alien.”

    The interview also tackled the subject of having a family. Lukyanova is against having kids, as she said in other interviews. “The very idea of having children brings out this deep revulsion in me,” said the Human Barbie.

    Lukyanova continued to say that she would rather die from torture rather than have a family, as that lifestyle is the worst.

    This is not the first time the Human Barbie has said things that may be shocking to some. She has also mentioned that she is able to communicate with aliens non-verbally, and that humans are the least sophisticated civilization. “We’re on the lowest level of evolution.”

    Valeria Lukyanova: Human Barbie

    Image via YouTube