Skip to main content

US sees hope for easing of Ukraine tensions

By WTOP Staff

MATTHEW LEE
AP Diplomatic Writer

SYDNEY (AP) — The Obama administration is cautiously hopeful diplomacy can ease tensions between Ukraine and Russia over Moscow’s insistence on sending humanitarian aid to pro-Russian areas of eastern Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Tuesday, amid concerns that such deliveries could be used as cover for an invasion.

Speaking in Australia, Kerry said a series of meetings to be held in Europe this week between officials from the international Red Cross, Germany, Ukraine and potentially Russia could provide a formula under which assistance can be delivered without fear it is cover for direct Russian military intervention.

The comments came as a convoy of 280 Russian trucks headed for eastern Ukraine, a day after agreement was ostensibly reached on an international relief mission. But the international Red Cross, which is due to coordinate the operation, said it had no information on what the trucks were carrying or where they were going, raising fears in Ukraine and the West about the true intentions of the convoy.

Kerry did not give details of the meetings but said he hoped they could not only clear up the aid delivery, but also expedite the investigation into the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over east Ukraine and facilitate talks between the Kiev government of pro-Western President Petro Poroshenko and legitimate pro-Russian Ukrainians.

“Our hope is that in the next days and weeks we can find a way for President Poroshenko and Ukraine to be able to work with the Russians, provide the humanitarian assistance necessary in the east, facilitate the thoroughness of the investigation, begin to bring the separatists, to the degree that they are Ukrainian, into the political process,” Kerry said. “Those who are not Ukrainian need to leave the country.”

“Our hope is that that can happen through the diplomatic process, but we have all learned that we need to be cautious and strong and at the same time in our responses and be clear about what is acceptable and what is unacceptable,” he told a news conference with Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and their Australian counterparts at the conclusion of annual U.S.-Australian strategic talks known as AUSMIN.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop echoed Kerry’s call and repeated a warning that Russia should not use humanitarian aid deliveries to disguise a military intervention. If Moscow is serious about easing the plight of civilians in eastern Ukraine, she said it should stop arming and supplying the rebels with weapons and personnel.

“There is a humanitarian situation in Ukraine that is serious and likely to worsen, but if Russia were concerned about the situation, the first step would be to stop the flow of fighters and weapons into eastern Ukraine,” she said. “Any intervention into Ukraine by Russia under the guise of a humanitarian crisis would be seen as the transparent artifice that it is.”

Thirty-eight Australians perished in the crash of the Malaysian plane, which the U.S. and others have said was caused by a missile fired from an area controlled by the pro-Russian separatists. Bishop said Australia would not rest until justice was done for its citizens and those of other countries who died.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
Read Next Story

Related News

Frustration grows in Venezuela as earthquake death toll reaches 1,430

Israel and Lebanon sign framework agreement with US in ‘first step’ toward peace, Rubio says

Trump-endorsed populist poised to become Colombia’s next president as rival challenges vote