TENSE SITUATION Ukrainian troops check passengers of a car at a checkpoint in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kurakhove, near Donetsk on Thursday. Heavy fighting raged between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian rebels in the country's war-torn east Wednesday, ahead of high-stakes peace talks in Berlin. AFP PHOTO
UNITED NATIONS: Russia's latest actions in Ukraine are clear evidence that President Vladimir Putin is pursuing an "occupation plan" of Moscow's neighbor, the United States said on Wednesday (Thursday in Manila) in damning remarks.