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Rebels shoot down Ukraine military helicopter; at least 12 dead including a general

By WTOP Staff

SLOVYANSK, Ukraine (AP) — Russia’s Foreign Ministry is denouncing Ukraine’s use of aircraft and artillery against the rebels and demanding that Kiev end what it calls a “fratricidal war.”

The statement comes after rebels shot down a Ukrainian military helicopter today amid heavy fighting around Slovyansk (SLAHV’-yansk).

Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov (oh-lek-SAN’-dur tur-CHY’-nahv) told the parliament in Kiev that rebels used a portable air defense missile to bring down the helicopter. He says 14 Ukrainian soldiers, including a general, were killed. Ukraine’s National Guards put the death toll at 12 including the general.

Russia says it will be impossible to restore peace in Ukraine without the government ending its military action against the rebels and withdrawing troops from the east. And it’s calling on the West to use its influence with Kiev to “stop Ukraine from sliding into a national catastrophe.”

Slovyansk has become the epicenter of fighting between pro-Russia insurgents and government forces in recent weeks. It’s in the Donetsk (dah-NETSK’) region, one of the two provinces in eastern Ukraine that have declared independence from the central government in Kiev.

The separatists have pleaded to join Russia, but President Vladimir Putin has ignored their appeal.

%@AP Links

149-c-11-(Peter Leonard, AP correspondent)-“to its crew”-AP correspondent Peter Leonard reports an AP colleague witnessed the Ukrainian military helicopter fall from the sky, but there’s no word on the whereabouts of the chopper’s crew or any survivors. ((watch for dating)) (29 May 2014)

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148-c-11-(Peter Leonard, AP correspondent)-“by rebels there”-AP correspondent Peter Leonard reports a Ukrainian military helicopter has been shot down by rebels over Slovyansk in the troubled east. ((Slovyansk is pronounced SLAHV’-yansk)) (29 May 2014)

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150-c-08-(Peter Leonard, AP correspondent)-“and deploying flares”-AP correspondent Peter Leonard reports a Ukrainian air force jet flew over Slovyansk following the shoot down of the helicopter, although it’s unclear if a more robust response is planned.((Slovyansk is pronounced SLAHV’-yansk)) (29 May 2014)

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APPHOTO NC104: AP10ThingsToSee- A pro-Russian armed militant wearing a shirt bearing an emblem of a former Ukrainian special force police unit sits behind a camouflage net as he guards a checkpoint blocking the major highway which links the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, and Kharkiv, outside Slovyansk, Ukraine, Monday, May 26, 2014. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) (26 May 2014)

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APPHOTO XEL106: A Ukrainian soldier guards a checkpoint outside Slovyansk, Ukraine, Thursday, May 29, 2014. Rebels in eastern Ukraine shot down a government military helicopter Thursday amid heavy fighting around the eastern city of Slovyansk, killing 14 soldiers including a general, Ukraine’s leader said. Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov told the parliament in Kiev that rebels used a portable air defense missile Thursday to down the helicopter and said that a General was among the dead. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (29 May 2014)

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APPHOTO XEL105: Ukrainian soldiers patrol on a checkpoint outside Slovyansk, Ukraine, Thursday, May 29, 2014. Rebels in eastern Ukraine shot down a government military helicopter Thursday amid heavy fighting around the eastern city of Slovyansk, killing 14 soldiers including a general, Ukraine’s leader said. Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov told the parliament in Kiev that rebels used a portable air defense missile Thursday to down the helicopter and said that a General was among the dead. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (29 May 2014)

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APPHOTO XVG103: A pro-Russian gunman stands by coffins of those killed in fighting with Ukrainian troops for control of the city’s airport at a morgue in Donetsk, Ukraine, Thursday, May 29, 2014. The Kiev government condemns the insurgency roiling the east as the work of “terrorists” bent on destroying the country and blames Russia for fomenting it. Russia denies the accusations, saying it has no influence over rebels, who insist they are only protecting the interests of Russian-speakers in the east.(AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) (29 May 2014)

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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
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