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Ukraine: Ruling MPs Form Breakaway Parliament, Exclude Opposition

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 16:24:00 -0700

There were scenes of turmoil in Ukraine's parliament when MPs from the ruling majority walked out, fed up with opposition blocking tactics. But the Party of the Regions and their Communist allies continued to vote on laws, after setting up their own assembly in another building and banning the opposition from entering. Opposition leaders were furious, calling it a Soviet-style coup d'etat. The parliamentary speaker, though, said there was nothing illegal. "The MPs stressed that they have a constitutional majority and according to law I can open the session of parliament," Volodymyr Rybak told reporters. The sight of opposition MPs arguing to be allowed into parliamentary proceedings is an image unlikely to be well-received outside Ukraine. It comes as the government in Kiev is in the middle of negotiating a new IMF bailout of nearly 12-billion euros, and at the same time is trying to convince the European Union that the country is worthy of a free trade agreement. Our correspondent there, Angelina Kariakina, said: "The latest events in parliament not only endanger democratic processes in Ukraine, but also show that the parliamentary crisis has got deeper. And that could lead to the dismissal of parliament."

Raw Video: Ukraine Parliament Erupts in Brawl

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 23:40:00 -0700

Talk to the hand. Ukrainian politicians spoke with their fists when they got way too worked up over a speech in parliament. The fight erupted when a pro-Russian speaker called his opponents "chanting neo-fascists" when they shouted for him to speak Ukrainian. Proceedings had to be suspended until the guys calmed down.

Chernobyl Roof Collapses

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 21:26:00 -0800

The roof of an engine room at the Chernobyl nuclear plant has collapsed under the weight of snow but authorities say there is no immediate risk of a radiation leak. A new structure is being built to cover the site of the worst nuclear accident in history.

Across Europe, Christmas Blows Hot and Cold

Tue, 25 Dec 2012 12:15:00 -0800

Christmas is looking very different across Europe and further east this year. Russia, which will actually celebrate Christmas day on January 7, has been gripped by an unseasonable chill for the last 10 days now. Eastern Siberia plunged as low as -50°C (-58ºF), while in Moscow it was a more modest -20°C (-4ºF). Poland has been thawing out for the most part, but eastern provinces close to Ukraine and Belarus continue to see heavy snow. Germany and France have been seeing other extremes however, the southern parts of both countries experiencing temperatures in excess of 20°C (68ºF).

Ukraine Judge, Family Decapitated

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:14:00 -0800

The decapitated bodies of Judge Vladimir Trofimov and his family have been found at a flat in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city. The heads of the judge, his wife, Irina, their son, Sergei, and his girlfriend are all missing. Ukraine's interior minister and general prosecutor have flown to the city to investigate. Police fear it was a revenge killing for a court case.

Lawmakers Brawl as Ukraine's New Parliament Opens

Wed, 12 Dec 2012 21:04:00 -0800

The launch of the new session of Ukraine's parliament was rough even by the standards of the country's lawmakers. Fistfights broke out as rival lawmakers scrambled to approach the speaker's stand and opposition politicians shoved two suspected defectors out of the hall.

Ultra-Nationalist Party Rises in Ukraine

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 19:10:00 -0700

Ukraine's far-right Svoboda (Freedom) Party made major gains in the country's recent election and is set to enter parliament for the first time after getting around 10% of the vote. The party's leaders are notorious for making racist, anti-Semitic, and homophobic rants.

Ukraine's Ruling Party Claims Election Win

Sun, 28 Oct 2012 22:07:00 -0700

The official results from Ukraine's election aren't in yet but President Viktor Yanukovych's ruling party has claimed an "indisputable" victory based on exit polls. Party of Regions candidates are expected to win enough races to form a majority in parliament despite a strong showing from pro-Western opposition parties.

Ukrainian Candidates Scrap for Votes Ahead of Parliamentary Elections

Sat, 27 Oct 2012 15:27:00 -0700

As Ukranian voters head to the polls on Sunday, the Orange Revolution of 2005 must seem like a distant memory. President Viktor Yushchenko, who was ousted after months of protest in early 2005, reclaimed office in 2010 and now looks set to cement his power.

Dark Side of Organ Donation Uncovered in South Korea

Mon, 22 Oct 2012 12:35:00 -0700

A new investigation has uncovered a grisly international body parts smuggling ring, after an expose in the Ukraine shed light on American and German companies. South Korean broadcaster MBC reports on the investigation's impact on South Korean imports.

Ukraine's Top Heavyweight Boxers Turn to Politics

Mon, 10 Sep 2012 05:13:00 -0700

As Ukraine's elections approach, the country is still dogged by corruption. But the Klitschko brothers, famed for their fights in the ring, are taking on the dark and murky world of Ukrainian politics.

Ukrainians on Hunger Strike over New Language Law

Tue, 17 Jul 2012 12:30:00 -0700

Hunger strikers in Kiev are fighting a new law that increases the status of Russian to a regional language in Ukraine, saying that Ukrainian language and culture will be threatened if the government approves the use of Russian in official institutions.

Ukrainians Open Up Their Homes for Euro 2012

Thu, 28 Jun 2012 11:52:00 -0700

Ukraine has used its hosting of the Euro 2012 football championships as an opportunity to promote a friendlier image to the international community. As thousands of football fans swarm into the country, ordinary Ukrainians are opening up their homes to foreign guests as part of an initiative called "Rooms for Free."

Euro 2012 Soccer Tournament Kicks Off in Poland and Ukraine

Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:51:00 -0700

The Euro 2012 football tournament gets under way Friday despite lingering controversy over racism and co-host Ukraine's political turmoil. Defending champion Spain are the favorites as play starts.

Political Football: UK Ministers Boycott England's Soccer Matches in Ukraine

Thu, 07 Jun 2012 15:07:00 -0700

British government ministers have said they will boycott England's first round Euro 2012 soccer games in Ukraine because of the treatment of the country's jailed opposition leader Yulia Tymoshenko.

Raw Video: Mass Brawl Erupts in Ukraine Parliament

Thu, 24 May 2012 15:26:00 -0700

A debate in Ukraine's parliament descended into violence as opposition and pro-president deputies brawled over a bill that would allow official institutions in Russian-speaking parts of the country to use the Russian language.

Syrian president determined to crush terrorists and pursue reforms [Press TV, Iran]

Tue, 06 Mar 2012 00:00:00 -0800

Militia and tribal leaders declare autonomy in east Libya, army death toll rises as Yemeni leaders accused of collaborating with al-Qaeda, militants blow up gas pipeline serving Israel for 13th time, and more.

Russia Foils 'Chechen Plot' to Assassinate Vladimir Putin

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 08:19:00 -0800

Russian and Ukrainian secret services claim to have foiled a plot to assassinate Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Russian state television said Ukrainian special services arrested two men -- one Russian and one Kazakh national -- in the city of Odessa.

Chernobyl 'Liquidators' Try to Storm Ukrainian Parliament

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:59:00 -0700

Veterans of the Chernobyl nuclear clean-up operation have been battling police outside Ukraine's parliament in Kiev. Some 1,000 so-called liquidators broke down a metal fence, protesting planned cuts to their social benefits.

Seven Years in Jail for Ukraine's Former PM Tymoshenko

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 08:44:00 -0700

Former Ukraine PM Yulia Tymoshenko has been sentenced to seven years behind bars for alleged mismanagement of 2009 natural gas negotiations with Russia. The verdict has drawn harsh criticism from the EU, Russia, and human rights groups, who claim this could spell the end for democracy in Ukraine.