Mediaboss Marketing

MUNICHEuropean leaders wrangling over the Ukraine crisis struck a tentative deal to hold a new summit in Belarus on Wednesday, a small sign of progress even as public sparring between German and U.S. officials continued over whether or not the West should arm Ukraine.

The leaders of Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany held a phone call Sunday to discuss a package of measures to achieve a comprehensive resolution of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, a spokesman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel said.

Representatives of the four countries will continue working on the package in Berlin on Monday, officials said, with the goal of holding a summit in Minsk, Belarus, on Wednesday. The summit would be attended by all four countries.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Minsk summit will take place if we manage to agree on a series of positions that we have been intensively discussing, according to the Interfax news agency.

A contact group that includes Russia, Ukraine, and separatist representatives will also meet in Minsk by Wednesday, officials said.

But trans-Atlantic differences over how to put pressure on the Kremlin to agree to a deal burst into the open at an annual international gathering here, the Munich Security Conference, this weekend. The public rift has undermined the unity the U.S. and Europe have been trying to project in opposition to what the West describes as Russian military support for separatists in eastern Ukrainea claim Russia has denied repeatedly.

On Sunday, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier responded bluntly to harsh criticism from visiting U.S. senators who claimed Germany was turning its back to Ukraine by opposing weapons deliveries. He echoed Merkels comments on Saturday insisting that arming Ukraine would likely lead to an escalation of the conflict, with Russia increasing its own alleged support of the separatists.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, speaking after Steinmeier, tried to play down the rift. He insisted the West was united in its response to the Ukraine crisis and promised further measures if Russia didnt work to calm the fighting. But he didnt identify what those measures would be.

Kerry didnt directly address the question of weapons deliveries. The White House is considering making such a move, but officials say a final decision wont come before Merkel and President Barack Obama meet in Washington on Monday.

An expanded version of this report appears at WSJ.com

Continue reading here:
The Wall Street Journal: Leaders press for Ukraine deal in Minsk

Fox News Blames GTA For #39;Knockout Game #39;

By:

Visit link:
Fox News Blames GTA For 'Knockout Game' - Video

Knockout Game Backfires Kid Gets Shot Twice It #39;s About Time!

By:

See the rest here:
Knockout Game Backfires Kid Gets Shot Twice It's About Time! - Video

MANILA, PhilippinesCebuana Lhuillier tries to complete the tournaments biggest turnaround while heavyweight Hapee hopes to live up to its lofty billing in separate semifinal duels in the PBA D-League Aspirants Cup Monday.

Climbing from the middle of the pack, the surprising Gems now aim to crash into the Finals by ousting eliminations topnotcher Cagayan Valley in Game 2 of the best-of-three series at 2 p.m. at Filoil Flying V Arena in San Juan.

Were taking it as a knockout game and not [Game 2 of the] semifinals, said Gems coach Boycie Zamar. For these players to step up, every game must be considered a knockout.

The Fresh Fighters, although heavily favored, also plan to play with urgency when they gun for a sweep of Cafe France in their own semifinal pairing at 4 p.m.

We can be beaten any time, said Hapee coach Ronnie Magsanoc.

But Hapee didnt look like it in Game 1, as Garvo Lanete fired 20 points for the Fresh Fighters, who cruised to a 16-point drubbing of the Bakers, 74-58.

The Gems, though, pulled off a surprise in their own series by clamping down on the Rising Suns big guns to carve out an 89-85 shocker that snapped the top seeds unbeaten run.

Although Zamar expects reliables Allan Mangahas, Norbert Torres, Almond Vosotros and Simon Enciso to step up anew, he wants them to be wary of the Rising Suns expected comeback.

He said the Gems still looked as heavy underdogs against a Cagayan side boasting a stellar cast led by the 6-foot-7 Moala Tautuaa and Fil-Am guards Abel Galliguez, Alli Austria and Randy Dilay.

Tautuaa was held to his lowest output of five points while Galli-guez finished scoreless in Game 1.

Read more here:
PBA D-League: Cebuana, Hapee eye finals clash

KMOV.com

Posted on February 9, 2015 at 6:10 AM

Updated today at 10:13 AM

ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) High-profile crimes and the opening of Ballpark Village have impacted the businesses on Washington Avenue.

Murders by the City Museum and a downtown McDonalds, along with a violent teenage knockout game last fall, have hurt the businesses along Washington Avenue.

Police in the city say they are working closely with businesses, residents and private security to monitor crime in the area. Authorities say they have employed undercover units and additional security to the area.

Those with Downtown STL Inc. say downtown is a destination because of new attractions, including Ballpark Village, Union Station and new bars closer to Busch Stadium, which are making Washington Avenue less of a destination.

Another problem with the area is that the newness has worn off, according to Missy Kelley, COO of Downtown STL Inc.

The people that came down when it opened and really brought the energy to Washington Avenue are in their 40s, Kelley said. Theyre having kids, they are not necessarily the crowd thats coming down here, so Washington Avenue is really challenged with being relevant to the new group of people who are coming down.

Three new restaurants will be opening along Washington Avenue with the hopes of revitalizing the area. The chef of Niche and Pastaria plans to open an Italian restaurant called Porano Pasta and Gelato in the area. According to Downtown STL Inc., a restaurant featuring Mediteranian cuisine will also open on Washington Avenue.

Go here to see the original:
New businesses hoping to revitalize Washington Avenue