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Ukraine War Intense Combat Action In Pesky During Heavy Clashes In The Battle For Donetsk
URGENT 16.12.2014.
By: Hollybats
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Ukraine War Intense Combat Action In Pesky During Heavy Clashes In The Battle For Donetsk - Video
Ukraine is seeking at least $10 billion in aid to stave off a default as its economy shrinks under the strain of spending cuts and a separatist war, while foreign reserves languish at the lowest in more than a decade.
When we need financial assistance? Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said after meeting European Union officials in Brussels. Let me put it in a nutshell: yesterday.
The former Soviet republic is discussing a financial rescue with the U.S. and the EU, Valeriy Chaly, deputy chief of President Petro Poroshenkos administration, told reporters in Kiev. Ukraine needs an international donor conference to prevent default, Yatsenyuk told lawmakers Dec. 11.
The government is grappling with the deepest recession since 2009 and this years worst-performing currency, with the hryvnia plunging 48 percent against the dollar and a $17 billion international bailout proving insufficient. While a Dec. 9 truce in Ukraines easternmost regions has stemmed fatalities in a conflict thats killed more than 4,600, talks over a lasting peace deal have been delayed.
Without additional resources, its almost impossible to cover financial gaps, Chaly said. Talks are about the amount Ukraine needs to conduct reforms and avert default, and the timing of such support. I cant tell you the exact size but lets say $10 billion. Otherwise, it will be very, very difficult to resolve the issue.
Ukrainian debt fell after Chalys comments. The yield on dollar-denominated government bonds due in 2017 soared more than 3 percentage points to a record. The hryvnia weakened 0.3 percent against the dollar.
Ukraine today signed a $200 million loan pact with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to upgrade portions of natural gas pipelines.
The authorities in Kiev are seeking to unlock the next tranche of its International Monetary Fund-led rescue and plans to approve a 2015 budget prepared by the countrys new government on Dec. 26. An IMF mission will return to the eastern European nation early next year, First Deputy Managing Director David Lipton said Dec. 13 in an e-mailed statement.
Yatsenyuk said Russias ultimate goal is to take over Ukraine and to eliminate Ukraine.
On the ground, the latest cease-fire has eased casualties, with no deaths reported by the military since Dec. 11, though skirmishes have taken place that the government blames on the pro-Russian insurgents. The intensity of attacks on Ukrainian forces is easing, military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said today.
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Ukraine Seeking $10 Billion in Aid Amid Talks With U.S., EU
Putins propaganda machine is fighting a desperate PR battleat home and abroadfor control of the narrative of its war against Ukraine. The Republican victory in the U.S. midterms has consolidated Americas anti-Russian narrative as evidenced by the Senates passage of the Ukraine Freedom Support Act, which supplies lethal weapons to Ukraine. Even more ominous is the findings of the Levada Center that only 5-6 percent of Russians are prepared to sacrifice for Putins Ukraine ventures. Russians say, if anyone is to shoulder a burden, it should be Putin and company. These setbacks make the battle for German public opinion even more crucial, a battle that is now being conducted on the front pages of the German press.
The two open letters to the German public
Two open letters to the public capture the intense battle for Germanys dominant narrative of Russias War on Ukraine.
The first, entitled Another War in Europe? Not in our Name argues that another European war must be avoided at all costs, that Russia is defending its legitimate interests, that the media must be neutral, and that the hostilities in Ukraine go deeper than Putins leadership. The Not in Our Name letter was signed by sixty prominent Germans, from the fields of theology, politicsGerhard Schroeder, Roman Herzog, and other prominent Social Democrats and members of Die Linke party; industryEckhard Cordes, Stefan Duerr; the artsWim Wenders, Hanna Schygulla, Klaus Maria Brandauer; and one bio farmer.
The second open letter, entitled Secure Peace, Do Not Reward Expansionism argues that Putins Russia is the clear aggressor against Ukraine, that Russia has violated past agreements in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, that Russias media has defamed the Ukrainian people (who bore the brunt of World War II losses), and that the territorial integrity of Ukraine (and Georgia and Moldova) should not be sacrificed to the level-headedness of German policy towards Russia. The Do Not Reward Expansionism letter was signed by one hundred top academics from Germanys fabled universities and by foreign correspondents specializing in Russia and Ukraine.
Not in Our Name blends moral relativism with peace at any price
Excerpts include:
Do Not Reward Expansionism combines clear Russian guilt with German historical responsibility
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Why the media offensive of Putin allies?
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The Battle For German Public Opinion: The Russia/Ukraine Narrative
Ginebra's Japeth Aguilar soars for the jam against Talk 'N Text during their previous encounter. Photo by Mark Cristino for ABS-CBNnews.com
MANILA, Philippines The Barangay Ginebra Kings and the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters will battle for a spot in the PBA Philippine Cup semi-finals at the Araneta Coliseum Tuesday night.
Talk 'N Text made quick work of the Barako Bull Energy in its first quarter-finals game, 105-76, to rack up their fifth win in a row.
Ginebra, meanwhile, routed GlobalPort, 95-78, in the quarter-finals to advance to the next phase of the playoffs.
The Gin Kings defeated the Texters in their lone elimination round game, 101-81, but it was a contest that occurred in the first day of the conference with TNT still missing the services of Ranidel De Ocampo and Jimmy Alapag.
The winner of tonight's game earns the right to face the San Miguel Beermen in a best-of-seven series in the semi-finals.
Game time is at 7 p.m.
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Ginebra, TNT clash in knockout game
Neither Basel nor Porto will be unhappy to meet in the first Champions League knockout game.
Basel and Porto were both delighted to have made it into the Champions League knockout phase, and will no doubt be even happier now they've seen the outcome of the draw. Neither of these sides were expected to progress much further into the competition, but this two-legged encounter guarantees at least one of the tournament's big outsiders will be in the quarterfinal stage. Heading in, it's Porto who are the favourites, but this is certainly one of the more unpredictable matchups.
Swiss champions Basel got off to an unconvincing start to their Champions League campaign, dropping points early in a heavy defeat to Real Madrid, and an even more disappointing loss to Ludogorets Razgrad. However, a win at home to Liverpool combined with a dramatic draw at Anfield to ensure they progressed into the knockout stages in dramatic, but deserved fashion.
They're certainly not a side with many household names, but Paulo Sousa has turned Basel into a very competitive team on the continental front. They're a team that like to play with the ball at their feet, and players like Fabian Frei, Luca Zuffi and Taulant Xhaka are all very capable at fashioning chances for their attacking teammates.
Sure, whatever happens from here, Basel's European campaign has been a success. But don't expect them to roll over and enjoy the ride. They're an ambitious young team with an ambitious manager, and they'll be stubborn opponents for Porto in this encounter.
Key Player - Marco Streller
Basel legend Marco Streller is now 33 years old, but he's stillone of the club's most important players. Spearheading the attack, Streller is a powerful player who is excellent at playing with his back to goal. Even if he doesn't get on the scoresheet, his hold-up and link play proves invaluable for a team that rarely dominates Champions League fixtures. He's far from the most spectacular player, but he is one of Basel's most valuable.
One of the dueling powers of Portugal alongside Benfica, Porto hasn't found consistent European success nearly as easy to manage as dominating their home league is. Still, they've managed to continue amassing impressive talents in their squads, talents that they never seem to run out of no matter how many they sell off.
That talent helped them win their Champions League group with ease, with only Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk managing to take points off them. The aggressive style utilized by Julen Lopetegui's squad has served them well, as many teams have struggled to keep up with Porto's pace and athleticism. That quality gap will be significantly closed from hereon out, though, making it critical for them to stay on top of their game.
Making life easier for Porto is that they have a very deep pool of talent at their disposal at every position group, making rotation and playing matchup games all the easier for them. Their style is always more or less the same, but swapping out specific pieces can create nightmarish matchup problems for their opponents. If they can find the right combination, they have the ability to take out any side left in this competition.
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Basel vs. Porto, Champions League draw: Outsiders collide