Here are the Ukrainian news stories that I am reading now.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

MILITARY

Ukrainian soldier shot for watching TV

The NATO military exercise in the Crimea was canceled back in June because of the protests. Many Crimean cities passed "NATO free" resolutions. And I cannot forget why many Ukrainians were certain that NATO was about to establish a base. I thought it was a funny joke until I realized the Ukrainians were serious and really believed. You see the NATO troups brought contraceptives. And everyone knows that if you bring contraceptives to the party, you must be staying.

Ukraine is going to try and hold military exercises with Moldova, Poland, Belarus and Slovakia. Let's hope they don't bring the dreaded contraceptives.

The Ukraine parliament voted Monday in favor of allowing foreign troops in the country, opening the door to joint military exercises this summer.

From: Ukraine approves foreign troop presence

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

POLITICS

First President of Ukraine Has Copied Names of KGB Agents Ready at Hand

Ukraine's PM Yanukovych met US Ambassador... I enjoy reading the comments more then the Forum stories quite often. I don't post there. I mention this because there is another "Angela" who frequently makes some wild comments on the stories.

A comeback to power for Ukraine's new PM

Petro Poroshenko (the likely candidate for first deputy prime minister) is worth about 505 million USD. This is according to the Korespondent Journal's richest Ukrainian list.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

POPULATION

As the U.S. population speeds toward 300 million, the growth is producing headaches for Americans fed up with traffic congestion, sprawl and dwindling natural resources.

But the alternatives are pretty scary, too. Just look at Europe and Japan, which are on the verge of such big population losses that several countries are practically begging women to have babies.

..........

By 2050... Ukraine .. is projected to lose more than 40 percent of its population, shrinking to 26 million.


From: Unprecedented challenges arise in nations with shrinking numbers