Ukraine

Poroshenko sworn in as east seethes

Petro Poroshenko took the oath on Saturday as Ukraine's president, buoyed by Western support but facing an immediate crisis in relations with Russia as an uprising seethes in the east of his country. "I pledge with all my strength to protect the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine," the 48-year old confectionery billionaire said at his swearing-in ceremony before parliament. Poroshenko was elected on May 25, three months after his pro-Moscow predecessor Viktor Yanukovich was toppled by street protests and fled to Russia. Since Poroshenko's election, government forces have begun an intensified campaign against rebels in eastern Ukraine. Poroshenko said his country would never give up Crimea and would not compromise on its path toward closer ties with Europe, spelling out a defiant message to Russia in his inaugural speech.

United States

Americans split on prisoner swap with Taliban

Americans are deeply divided over whether the Obama administration did the right thing by swapping five Taliban leaders to win the freedom of Afghanistan prisoner of war Bowe Bergdahl, according to the Reuters/Ipsos survey released on Friday. Americans strongly agree the United States should make every effort to free prisoners of war like Bergdahl, an army sergeant who was captured in eastern Afghanistan in 2009. But they also think the prisoner swap deal set a dangerous precedent. The Reuters/Ipsos poll of 958 Americans interviewed online found that 44 percent disagreed with the statement that trading Taliban prisoners for Bergdahl was "the right thing to do".

India

Riots follow power cuts in heat wave

Thousands of people enraged by power cuts during an extreme heat wave have been rioting across northern India, setting electricity substations on fire and taking power company officials hostage, officials said on Saturday. The impoverished state of Uttar Pradesh has never had enough power for its 200 million people, and many get power only a few hours a day under normal conditions, while 63 percent of homes have no electricity access at all. But recent temperatures that soared to 47 C have caused power demand to spike at 11,000 megawatts - far higher than the state's 8,000 MW capacity - triggering blackouts that shut down fans, city water pumps and air conditioners.

Thailand

Junta aims to return happiness

Cheer up, Thailand. That's an order. The military junta that seized power here last month has no plans to restore civilian rule any time soon. But it has launched an official campaign to bring back something else it says this divided nation desperately needs - happiness. The project has involved free concerts, free food, alluring female dancers in suggestive camouflage miniskirts, even the chance to pet horses trucked into downtown Bangkok with makeshift stables and bales of hay. The fair-like events are supposed to pave the way for reconciliation after a decade of political upheaval and coups. "We're trying to create an atmosphere to gain trust and build confidence. That is the plan," said Thai Colonel Weerachon Sukondhaptipak.

Reuters - Associated Press

(China Daily 06/08/2014 page2)