Russians Sees Better Times Ahead

Arab News/AFP: Russia sees light at the end of tunnel

MOSCOW: It's been a torrid time of late for the Russian economy as the fallout from Ukraine and tumbling oil prices have plunged the country into financial crisis.
But an unexpected recent rebound by the ruble has partially reversed months of pain for the nosediving national currency and fired hope among harried officials in Moscow that there might be a light at the end of the tunnel.

Few analysts were betting on a bounce after the ruble lost over 40 percent of its value in 2014 and carried on the slump into this year.

WNU Editor: For the short term ..... I am not one of those who sees better times in Russia. There are a number of problems, and sanctions are not helping. But for the long term .... definitely .... I am optimistic on Russia's future because of its enormous resource base and the fact that it's younger generation .... Russia's future ..... have a far stronger desire to be a part of the West than my generation or Putin's.

Hmmm ... this is interesting .... 10 Charts That Explain Russia (Forbes)

More News On Russia

Now might be the time to buy Russia. Yes, really. -- CNN
Russian Bonds Drop With Oil as Company Tax Payments Boost Ruble -- Bloomberg
Russia's rich forego some luxuries but still back Putin -- Reuters
Russia Borderline Desperate For Chinese Money -- Forbes
Cabbage in Russia Costs 66% More Than Three Months Ago -- Moscow Times
Nemtsov colleagues try to continue investigation – but face wall of silence -- The Guardian
Boris Nemtsov murder: Authorities identify 'mastermind' behind killing -- IBTimes
The mysterious Moscow 'hit list' shadowing Russian politics -- Mashable
Why the Jihadi Threat to Russia Is Getting Worse -- Bloomberg
Russian Officials Cite 'IS Threat' As Justification For Heightened Security -- Radio Free Europe
Russia Joins China's Asian Infrastructure Bank, But Doubts Its Power Against IMF -- Kenneth Rapoza, Forbes
Russia continues Asian pivot -- UPI
US sanctions against Russia: A tale of two cities -- Dominic Basulto, RBTH
Expats in Russia: No longer a boom - but not all doom and gloom -- Bryan MacDonald, special to RBTH
Is Russia back in the game? -- CNBC
An Interview with Anna Nemtsova About Being a Russian Journalist -- Global Voices
Most Russians see their country as great power – poll -- RT
Will Russia Ever Have Free Elections? -- Fyodor Krasheninnikov, Moscow Times

Ukraine Crisis -- News Updates March 30, 2015

James Carden, National Interest: Ukraine's Bloody Civil War: No End in Sight

Ukraine is falling apart at the rifts...

MOSCOW–After spending several days in and around Donetsk last week, I found it hard to escape the conclusion that the second Minsk ceasefire is rapidly unraveling. Nearly continuous artillery shelling and machine-gun fire could be heard for the better part of Thursday morning in the city’s Oktyabrskaya neighborhood, not far from the airport, where fighting is said to have continued without surcease.

The OSCE reported that the main railway station in the city was shelled on March 25, and a visit to it the day after showed that to be so. Rebel tanks could be seen participating in exercises on the rural outskirts of Donetsk on the 26th. The sound of sporadic artillery fire could be heard in the city’s centrally located Leninsky District well into the early hours of the 27th.

WNU Editor: I concur with James Carden's above analysis .... I am not optimistic for peace in Ukraine .... not even close.

Ukraine Crisis -- News Updates March 30, 2015

Russian Tanks and Fighters Enter Eastern Ukraine, Says Kiev -- Newsweek
22 Russian tanks enter Ukraine on March 28 -- Charter 97
One Ukrainian serviceman killed, three wounded, in clashes with rebels: Kiev military -- Reuters
One Ukrainian Soldier Killed, Three Wounded In East Ukraine -- Radio Free Europe
Russian-backed militants continue to attack Ukrainian army positions with Grad rockets -- Ukraine Today
Rebel Leader: Kiev Blocks Solution for Eastern Ukraine -- ABC News/AP
Ukraine prospects of peace: Monitoring a ceasefire -- BBC
U.S. paratroopers to train 900 Ukrainian soldiers starting April 20 -- Kyiv Post
US Sending Soldiers to Train Ukraine National Guard -- Daily Signal
US Paratroopers To Begin Ukraine Mission In Mid-April -- IBTimes
U.S. forces to train Ukraine National Guard in late April -- UPI
With Broken Economy And Scarce Jobs, Ukraine's Displaced People Depend On Volunteers -- IBTimes
Voices: Ukraine a country aching with anguish -- Oren Dorell, USA Today
What Will the Kremlin Do Next in Ukraine? -- Vladimir Frolov, Moscow Times

Shooting At NSA Headquarters -- News Roundup

Reuters: One dead, two hurt as vehicle tries to ram U.S. spy agency gates

(Reuters) - Two people tried to run their vehicle through the National Security Agency's gates near Washington on Monday before guards at the spy agency fatally shot one of them, said officials, who added there was no evidence of a link to terrorism.

The second occupant of the vehicle was also shot, according to one official, and a police officer was injured.

Both suspects, who were dressed in women's clothes and may be transgender, tried to drive their sport utility vehicle through an entrance at the agency's Fort Meade, Maryland, headquarters, U.S. law enforcement and security officials said.

More News On Today's Shooting At NSA Headquarters

Car that tried to crash NSA gate was stolen from Maryland hotel, police say -- L.A. Times
NSA: Car smashes into police vehicle at Fort Meade; 1 dead -- Washington Post/AP
One dead as police fire on car in incident at US spy HQ -- AFP
NSA Campus Intruders Foiled as Police Shoot, Kill One Individual -- Bloomberg
NSA: Car smashes into police vehicle at Fort Meade; 1 dead -- Washington Times
One shot dead at Fort Meade after trying to enter NSA gate -- CNN
Pair who tried to ram NSA gate may have been partying earlier, under influence of drugs -- FOX News
Hotel Partying Preceded Deadly Shooting at NSA Gate, Sources Say -- ABC News
A Bizarre Shooting at Fort Meade -- The Atlantic
Was Shooting at NSA a Wrong Turn Gone Bad? -- Shane Harris, Daily Beast
FBI: Fatal Shooting Near NSA 'Not Related to Terrorism' -- VOA

Nigeria's National Elections: News Updates March 30, 2015

CNN: Vote-counting underway in Nigeria in close presidential election

Lagos, Nigeria (CNN)A few months before Nigeria's national elections, both main candidates embraced and promised a peaceful election. That pledge is now under serious threat.

Protesters fired gunshots and torched a local electoral office in Nigeria's oil-rich Rivers state as they marched to protest national elections held to elect Nigeria's next President.

"There's been so much violence in Rivers state that it's just not tenable," said Lai Mohammed, spokesman for the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress.

The All Progressives Congress says the vote has been rigged, voters intimidated and demanded that the elections held in Rivers state be canceled.

The ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party, refutes the accusation, saying the election was "credible and the result reflects the overwhelming wish of the people of Rivers state to support President Goodluck Jonathan."

Nigeria's National Elections: News Updates March 30, 2015

Nigeria's Buhari gains early ground amid vote tally fears -- Reuters
Nerves on edge in Nigeria as vote count begins -- AP
Nigeria awaits results in close presidential election -- Deutsche Welle
Nigerian Candidates Locked in Tight Race -- WSJ
Challenger has an early lead over incumbent in Nigerian presidential election -- AP
Challenger Buhari makes gains in tense Nigerian elections -- AFP
Nigeria's National Elections: News Updates March 30, 2015 -- The Guardian
In Nigeria, an impatient waiting game for election results -- CSM
Post-election violence in Nigeria sparks calls for calm -- CNN
Fears of Meddling Raised in Nigerian Election Vote Count -- ABC News/AP
Now that votes are in, the dangerous part of Nigeria’s election has begun -- Yinka Adegoke, Quartz
What's At Stake In Nigeria's Election -- Chris Wright, Forbes

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- March 30, 2015

Tom Lister, CNN: Yemen in freefall: How chaos could spiral into all-out regional war

(CNN)Foreign intervention in Yemen's chaos has dramatically raised the stakes in the Arabian Peninsula, threatening to expand what is already a civil war into a conflict pitting Iran against Saudi Arabia and an Arab coalition.

The Saudis launched Operation "Decisive Storm" last Wednesday with dozens of airstrikes in an effort to blunt the advance of Houthi militia and allied army units on the port of Aden -- and to protect the last bastion of Yemen's internationally-recognized President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. There were also strikes in and around the capital, Sanaa, which resumed early Monday.

Commentaries, Analysis, And Editorials -- March 30, 2015

Airstrike on Yemen refugee camp could portend Saudi ground incursion -- Holly Yan, Hakim Almasmari and Ben Brumfield, CNN

Yemen: Who's joining Saudi Arabia's fight against the Houthis? -- Nick Thompson and Inez Torre, CNN

Iran and Saudi Arabia's cold war is making the Middle East even more dangerous -- Zack Beauchamp, VOX

Nuclear deal with Iran may spur proxy wars, says EU official -- Reuters

What's What in Iran Nuclear Deal -- Steve Baragona, VOA

Nuclear Deal Could Drive Foreign Investors to Iran Stocks -- WSJ

Iran nuclear talks: Can China keep negotiations on track? -- Peter Ford, CSM

China’s Middle East Choice -- Jeffrey Payne, War On The Rocks

Chinese Foreign Policy Comes of Age -- Andrew Small, NYT

Let Iraq Die: A Case for Partition -- Michael J. Totten, World Afairs

The Age-Old Sunni-Shia War Is Sucking America In -- Jamie Dettmer, Daily Beast

Why a Sunni Coalition Is Good for U.S. -- Noah Feldman, Bloomberg

Nigeria’s Breaking Point -- Gavin Serkin and Chris Kay, Bloomberg

Greek crisis: The squeeze tightens -- The Economist

German Power and the Ukraine Conflict -- Ulrich Speck, Carnegie

Latin America Gathers to Gripe About U.S. -- Mac Margolis, Bloomberg

Obama’s next earthquake -- Jackson Diehl, Washington Post

World News Briefs -- March 30, 2015 (Evening Edition)

AFP: Iran talks stretch into the night hours before deadline

Lausanne (AFP) - Marathon talks aimed at curtailing Iran's nuclear programme stretched into the night Monday as negotiators grappled with the remaining "tricky issues" blocking a deal with a deadline just hours away.

"There still remain some difficult issues," Kerry told a CNN reporter in his luxury lakeside hotel in the Swiss town of Lausanne.

"We are working very hard to work those through. We are working late into the night and obviously into tomorrow."

MIDDLE EAST

Iran and six powers entrenched as clock ticks to nuclear deadline. Iran nuclear talks: 'Tricky issues' remain, Kerry says. Iran nuclear talks intensify as key deadline nears. Iran nuclear talks hit hurdle ahead of deadline.

Expected Iranian nuclear deal worse than Israel feared: Netanyahu.

Air strike kills at least 40 at Yemen camp for displaced. Saudi-led forces strike Yemen rebels, blockade ports. ‘Saudi Arabia airstrikes pave way for ground invasion of Yemen’. Airstrikes pound Yemen's capital.

Iran says US drone kills 2 advisers in Iraq; US denies claim.

Syria crisis: Idlib 'captured by Islamist groups'.

Turkey moves to close all gates at border with Syria.

UN Chief Ban in Baghdad for talks.

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert found guilty of corruption.

ASIA

Pakistan to join Saudi coalition against Yemen rebels: senior official.

North Korea claims it arrested 2 South Korean spies.

N.Korea 'poised to deploy long-range missiles'.

Clashes with Taliban halt supply of power in south Afghanistan.

China, Japan, South Korea halt Thai air route expansion on safety concerns.

China won't let North Korea join Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank as US rings alarm about lack of transparency.

Uzbekistan's leader scores landslide re-election win. Karimov wins Uzbek presidential election with 90,39% of votes.

Malaysia proposes anti-terror laws to curb Islamic militants.

Blogger hacked to death in Bangladesh.

China probes senior power official for graft.

AFRICA

UN: 7,300 civilians killed in Boko Haram insurgency.

Nigeria tensely awaits first results in closely fought election. Nigerians await Presidential election result. Nigeria election: First results expected.

Guinea declares Ebola 'health emergency' in five regions.

Libya tells Arab summit arms embargo must be lifted to fight IS.

Tunis Bardo Museum attack: Thousands join protest march.

South Sudan food crisis leaves people of Ganyiel desperate for a peace deal.

Congo official: DRC will not accept UN ‘neo-colonization’.

Italy deploys ships to monitor Libyan coast.

EUROPE

Germanwings Flight 9525 co-pilot suicidal at one time, prosecutor says. Crash pilot had been treated for suicidal tendencies.

Lufthansa fears second U4 9525 black box may never be found. Alps crash: Lufthansa chief fears recorder too damaged. Germanwings crash co-pilot Andreas Lubitz body parts 'found'.

Prosecutors probe Moldova ex-president's son for corruption.

Azerbaijan starts trial of 6 alleged Islamic State militants.

Andorra on the brink of Europe's next banking crisis.

Greece says not backing down on debt relief goal. Greece and Germany in open hostility over bailout program.

One Ukrainian serviceman killed, three wounded, in clashes with rebels: Kiev military.

Investigators identify mastermind behind Nemtsov murder.

Some 3.5 tons of Afghan heroin worth $1 billion seized in Russia in 2014.

French local elections: Hollande left bruised as Sarkozy and Le Pen triumph.

Breakdown: Czech spectators give up waiting for US Army convoy after 7hr wait.

AMERICAS

Brazil's ex-President Cardoso to defend jailed Venezuelans.

One dead after gate-crashing attempt, gunfire at Fort Meade.

Obama makes first trip to Kenya as President.

Americans see Putin as only slightly more imminent threat than Obama, poll says.

Vote expected late Monday on Canada’s military mission in Iraq, Syria.

Brazil's economy grew 0.1% in 2014.

Chile floods death toll rises to 14 as clean-up begins.

Uruguay will no longer grant asylum to Guantanamo prisoners.

Air Canada plane landed short, hit antennas in Halifax accident.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

British man pleads guilty to trying to set up US terror camp.

US drone strikes in Yemen likely to continue - former CIA officer.

Analysis: How ISIS is different from al-Qaeda.


Feared terror group al-Qaeda discussed strategies to combat CLIMATE CHANGE.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US Treasury Secretary in China for talks.

Banks to face 'doomsday scenario' of China slowdown and eurozone crash to test financial strength.

Oil prices slip on possible Iran deal, dollar.

Fears of a new global crash as debts and dollar’s value rise.

Iran Rejects Key Demand In Nuclear Talks

Foreign ministers from other world powers joined Secretary of State John Kerry in an effort to reach the outlines of a nuclear accord with Iran by a midnight Tuesday deadline. Credit Pool photo by Brendan Smialowski

New York Times: Iran Backs Away From Key Detail in Nuclear Deal

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — With a negotiating deadline just two days away, Iranian officials on Sunday backed away from a critical element of a proposed nuclear agreement, saying they are no longer willing to ship their atomic fuel out of the country.

For months, Iran tentatively agreed that it would send a large portion of its stockpile of uranium to Russia, where it would not be accessible for use in any future weapons program. But on Sunday Iran’s deputy foreign minister made a surprise comment to Iranian reporters, ruling out an agreement that involved giving up a stockpile that Iran has spent years and billions of dollars to amass.

More News On The Iranian Nuclear Talks

Iran reportedly makes new push for uranium concessions in nuclear talks -- FOX News
Iran Wants More Nuke Concessions as Talks Hit Critical Stage -- Washington Free Beacon
With Nuclear Talks Running Out of Time, Iran Rejects Key Demand -- NBC News
Iran nuclear talks: 'Tricky issues' remain, Kerry says -- CNN
Iran and six powers entrenched as clock ticks to nuclear deadline -- Reuters
Iran Nuclear Talks Unresolved -- VOA
Iran nuclear negotiations enter final day as deadlock persists -- The Guardian
Two Issues Remain in Push for Iran Deal -- US News and World Report
Iran nuclear crisis: Six key points -- BBC
Iran nuclear deal: What are the remaining sticking points as clock ticks towards deadline -- The Independent
NEWS GUIDE: The gaps as Iran talks hit crunch time -- AP

Pakistan Will Join The Saudi Military Coalition Against Yemen Rebels

Reuters: Pakistan to join Saudi coalition against Yemen rebels - senior official

(Reuters) - Pakistan will send troops to Saudi Arabia to give military support to a coalition of mainly Gulf states fighting Yemeni Houthi rebels, a senior government official said on Monday.

Largely Sunni Muslim Pakistan - a regional ally of Saudi Arabia, the Gulf's main Sunni Muslim power - would join a Saudi-led military coalition conducting air strikes against Shi'ite Houthi forces, the official said.

The air strikes are targeting the rebels' southward advance on the port city of Aden, the last bastion of Saudi-backed president, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

WNU Editor: No surprises here. Saudi Arabia has provided billions in aid to Pakistan over the years .... the Paks are not in a position to say no. For Pakistan's minority Shiite population .... I am sure that they are now preparing themselves to launch protests in opposition to these moves.

More News On Pakistan Joining The Saudi Military Coalition Against Yemen Rebels

Pakistan to join Saudi coalition against Houthi: senior official -- Arab News
Pakistan defense team heads for Saudi to discuss support -- Reuters
Pakistan to send troops in Saudi Arabia; Khawaja Asif denies -- Dunya News
Why old ally Pakistan is wary of joining Saudi offensive in Yemen -- France 24
Pakistan's Yemen dilemma: Being neutral is not an option -- Deutsche Welle
How Will Pakistan Respond to the Crisis in Yemen? -- Ankit Panda, The Diplomat

Update: Pakistan’s long history of fighting Saudi Arabia’s wars -- Ishaan Tharoor (Washington Post)

Many Killed In Airstrike On UN Refugee Camp In Yemen

Washington Post: Scores killed in apparent airstrike at U.N. refugee camp in Yemen

SANAA, Yemen — An apparent airstrike killed scores of people at a United Nations refugee camp in northern Yemen on Monday amid escalating air raids by a Saudi Arabia-led coalition that are targeting Shiite insurgents across the war-ravaged country.

As many as 40 people died and some 200 were wounded in an attack on the Mazraq camp in Hajjah province, said Joel Millman, a spokesman for the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which runs aid programs at the facility.

It was not immediately clear whether the incident was the result of an airstrike by the coalition of mostly Arab countries that have come together to stop sweeping military advances across Yemen by the insurgents, known as Houthis. There was no immediate comment from Saudi Arabia.

More News On Today's Air Strike Against Against A UN Refugee Camp In Yemen

Air strike kills at least 40 at Yemen camp for displaced -- Reuters
Forty refugees killed by Saudi-led bombing campaign in Yemen -- The Telegraph
Yemen crisis: Saudi air strike on refugee camp kills at least 40, report says -- ABC News (Australia)
Airstrikes Hit Yemen Refugee Camp, Says Doctors Without Borders -- WSJ
Assault on Camp for Displaced Yemenis Is Said to Kill at Least 40 -- NYT
Dozens dead after airstrikes on camp for displaced Yemenis -- Mashable

In The Battle For Tikrit 400 Islamic State Fighters Are Holding Back 30,000 Iraqi Troops And Militia Fighters

Ken Hanly , Digital Journal: In Tikrit 400 IS fighters hold back 30,000 Iraqi troops

Tikrit - A force of Islamic State fighters believed to number about 400 according to one general, is holding at bay about 30,000 Iraqi troops and militia.

After the offensive launched without US air support and led by an Iranian general stalled on the outskirts of Tikrit, the Shia militia and the Iranian commander who was heading the offensive have faded into the background. However many militia remain in the surrounding area and even a few checkpoints on the outskirts of Tikrit. For the last three days, the US has been bombing the centre of Tikrit where the Islamic State fighters so far have been able to fend off the Iraqis even though outnumbered by over seventy to one. This standoff does not auger well for any attempt to recapture the larger city of Mosul. The campaign to recapture Tikrit has been going on for almost a month now.

Update: As Iraqi Forces Press Into Tikrit, Hundreds Of ISIS FIghters Remain (NPR)

WNU Editor: No one rally knows for sure how many ISIS fighters are in Tikrit, but what is known is that they have inflicted heavy casualties, and they have stalled the Iraqi offensive to seize the city.