Lydia Tomkiw

Breaking News Reporter

601-630 (out of 736)

Lydia Tomkiw is a journalist focused on international affairs with a regional specialization in Eastern Europe. She has recently reported from Ukraine and is fluent in Ukrainian and French. Prior to joining IBT, Lydia was a Google Journalism fellow at the Committee to Protect Journalists where she focused on press freedom in Europe and Central Asia. From 2011-2012 she was a Princeton in Asia journalism fellow at The Jakarta Globe in Indonesia where she worked as a journalist and web editor. She holds a BA from Wesleyan University and a Master’s degree in International Affairs from Columbia University.

Kiribati Climate Change Relocation Refugee Crisis? Sinking Low-Lying Island Nations In Pacific, Indian Oceans Seeking Solutions Before It's Too Late

With the world’s attention focused on the Middle East and Europe, the leaders of small island countries have pointed to a separate burgeoning refugee crisis.

California Marijuana Legalization 2015: Governor Signs Bill Creating Regulatory System For Medical Cannabis

With the governor's signing of a set of bills, the state's medical marijuana industry will become regulated.

Amid Russia Fears, Norway To Increase Military Budget To $6B In 2016

Norway plans to boost its defense budget for 2016 because of fears prompted by Russian actions in the Arctic region and Europe.

German Politician Threatens Legal Action Over Angela Merkel's Refugee Policy

A German politician has threatened to take the government to court over Chancellor Angela Merkel's open-door refugee policy.

Uber Sex Assault Lawsuit Filed: Women From Connecticut, Florida Sue Over Passenger Safety

Two women known only as Jane Doe 1 and 2 have filed a lawsuit against ride-hailing service Uber over sexual assault.

Will Saudi Arabia Use Its Economic Relationship With Russia To Broker Syria Deal?

As Russia continues its airstrikes in Syria, U.S. ally Saudi Arabia has several options for leverage against Moscow.

Ukraine Military Suicides Leading Cause Of Non-Battle Deaths, Country's Ministry Says

More than 2,000 soldiers have died in Ukraine, and suicide was the leading cause of deaths outside battle.

Putin Popularity In Iraq? Russian Airstrikes In Syria Welcomed In Baghdad

As Russia continues its airstrikes in Syria, some Iraqis have welcomed this move against the Islamic State group.

Election 2016: Koch Brothers Officially Back Carly Fiorina, Opening Door To Big Donations

A group controlled by the billionaire Koch brothers said Wednesday that it will support the former Hewlett-Packard CEO's presidential campaign.

Will California Prescription Drug Prices Go Up? $10M Donated By Pharmaceutical Companies To Fight Ballot Initiative That Would Control Costs

A proposed ballot initiative would cap state payments for drug purchases.

Vladimir Putin Birthday Hockey Game: Airstrikes In Syria Continue As Russian President Celebrates His 63rd

In a birthday photo opportunity, Russian President Vladmir Putin played ice hockey while airstrikes continued in Syria.

Ukraine War Update: Could Ukrainians Decide Canada's Upcoming Election?

The conflict in Ukraine has become a prime issue in Canada's upcoming election as politicians court the country's 1.3 million Ukrainian-Canadians.

Russia Building 'Arc Of Steel' From Arctic To Mediterranean, NATO Commander Says

NATO’s Allied Joint Force commander in Italy called Russia the most dangerous threat to Europe as the country increases its naval reach.

Former Ukrainian Tax Minister EU Sanctions Video Argues Against Being On European Union List

In a YouTube video, a former Ukrainian minister has launched a campaign to have his named removed from the EU's list of sanctioned individuals.

Ukraine Approves Draft Law Allowing Foreigners To Fight In Its Military

With the passage of a draft law, Ukraine's parliament welcomed foreigners to officially serve in the civil war in the east.

Will Oil Prices Go Back Up? OPEC Chief Says It's Possible In 'Near Future'

Many OPEC members have had deficits this year trying to compete with the United States' share of the oil market.

Amid Russia Airstrikes In Syria, Russian Embassies Use Twitter To Criticize US

Russian media have refocused their energy from coverage of Ukraine to airstrikes in Syria and criticism of the U.S.

Ukraine Economy To Fall? Gross Domestic Product To Shrink By 12%, Says World Bank

The war in eastern Ukraine and a poor global economic environment could see the country's GDP fall by 12 percent this year.

Russian-Ukrainian Conflict Update: Ukraine Withdrawal Of Light Artillery Begins

The Ukrainian military began pulling back light artillery from the frontline Monday in the hopes of ending a conflict that has resulted in the deaths of over 8,000.

Russian Weapons In Ukraine? Putin And Poroshenko Meet In Paris As Deadly Arms System Reportedly Spotted

Monitors said they saw the new, deadly weaponry system in eastern Ukraine as Russian and Ukrainian leaders met Friday in Paris to discuss a solution to the conflict.

Refugee Crisis In Germany: Hamburg Seizes Empty Buildings To House Hundreds Of Asylum Seekers In City

Officials estimated that approximately 500 refugees were entering the German city of Hamburg on a daily basis.

Russia-Norway Conflict? Defenses Being Modernized Amid Russian Arctic Military Buildup

With increased Russian military activity in the Arctic, NATO member Norway reacted Thursday to a perceived threat.

Russia And Ukraine Conflict Takes To the Skies: Airline Sanctions Are Latest High-Flying Economic Battle

The cost of the warring countries' mutual airline bans will be "in the tens, if not hundreds of millions, of U.S. dollars,” says one expert.

Russian Investment Slows Amid Economic Uncertainty, Military Action In Ukraine And Syria

With Russian airstrikes in Syria, low oil prices and sanctions, Russian businesses are holding back on construction and expansion plans.

Refugee Crisis 2015: EU Migrants Can Be Jailed For Illegally Re-Entering Countries, European Court Rules

The court’s ruling was likely to again raise debates over the classification of refugees versus economic migrants.

Amid Ukraine War, Russians Don't Want Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics To Become Part Of Russia, Poll Finds

Most Russians don't want their government to admit the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics into the Russian Federation, a poll says.

Russia Working With Israel In Syria? Tel Aviv Had Advanced Warning Of Moscow Airstrikes

Israel said it received advanced notice of Russia's first airstrikes in Syria Wednesday as Western leaders worried about the areas targeted.

Ukraine President Poroshenko Calls Out Russia For 'Aggressive War' During UN Address

The country's president used his address at the United Nations General Assembly to call for international support in opposition to Russia.

China Communist Party Membership: NGOs, Trade Unions Targeted To Boost Number Of Members

China's Communist Party has launched a new push to increase the number of party members and has targeted nongovernmental organizations and trade unions.