Friday, February 28, 2014

World News Briefs -- February 28, 2014



Ukraine Accuses Russia Of 'Armed Invasion' After Crimea Airports Blockaded -- The Telegraph

Ukranian minister accuses Russia of an armed takeover of Crimea amid reports that airports have been seized

Ukraine accused Russia of staging an "armed invasion" of Crimea on Friday as the ex-Soviet state's ousted leader prepared to emerge defiant from five days of hiding after winning protection from Moscow.

Unidentified armed men were patrolling outside of Crimea's main airport early Friday while gunmen were also reported to have seized another airfield on the southwest of the peninsula where ethnic Russians are a majority and where pro-Moscow sentiment runs high.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Pentagon: Syrian request for chemical weapons extension ‘unacceptable’.

Al Qaeda splinter group withdraws from Syrian town near Turkey.

Rift in Syria opposition may set back Western efforts.

Iraq shootings, bombings: more than 50 killed in fresh wave of attacks. Iraq: Suicide bomber kills prominent tribal sheik.

Israel warns Lebanon to curb Hezbollah threats.

Iran on nuclear negotiations: ‘We will not close any program’.

Israel urges IAEA to issue full report on Iran nuclear research.

Generations on, Christians fleeing Syria return to Turkish homeland.

ASIA

Seoul: NKorea fired Scuds for 1st time since '09.

Karzai blasts Dempsey over ‘zero option’ remarks.

UK leaves its Helmand project – like its roads, clinics and bridges – unfinished.

Claimed by both Seoul and Tokyo, tiny island outcroppings stir nationalist fervor.

U.S. concerned by reports Myanmar suspends MSF in Rakhine State.

Thai minister rejects proposal for talks from protest leader.

Indians dissatisfied with direction of country.

President Xi: Efforts needed to make China a cyber power.

China designates two national days on Japanese aggressions during WWII. Japan plays down new China WWII national days.

China swipes back at U.S. in annual rights report.

Chinese police seize 1,094 for baby trafficking.

China paves way to charge ally of former security tsar in graft crackdown.

AFRICA

Millions potentially facing severe hunger in South Sudan.

Islamists blamed for attack on Nigerian college.

African migrants storm Spanish border at Melilla. African migrants storm into Spanish enclave of Melilla.

France vows to prevent C. African Rep. breakup. Hollande to visit French troops in CAR.

Central African militia leader denies Congo arrest report.

Burundi crisis may stir unrest but not by me, says ex-rebel.

Egypt's military leaders unveil devices they claim can detect and cure Aids.

World Bank postpones $90m Uganda loan over anti-gay law.

S. Africa prepares for Pistorius murder trial.

EUROPE

Armed men seize two airports in Ukraine's Crimea, Russia denies involvement. Military airport in Ukraine's Crimea taken over by Russian soldiers-Interfax. Ukraine crisis: 'Russians' occupy Crimea airports. Unknown soldiers occupy Crimean airports.

Russian troop movements near Ukraine raise concerns, U.S. official says.

Russia's Putin orders government to work with partners on Ukraine.

Countries freeze Yanukovych assets, Swiss launch money-laundering probe. Swiss prosecutor opens money laundering probe into Yanukovich.

Russia opposition leader Alexei Navalny under house arrest.

Optic Nerve: millions of Yahoo webcam images intercepted by GCHQ.

Cyprus bailout hit as privatisation bill fails.

Merkel's Bavarian ally expects her to run again for German chancellor.

Spain curbs power of judges in human rights cases.

AMERICAS

Russian spy ship docks in Havana during surprise visit to Cuba. Russian warship 200 miles from Miami.

Venezuela protests continue despite holiday. Venezuela student protest in Caracas ends in clashes.

Colombian defence ministry spills secrets in email.

Mexico's new drug war challenge.

Mexican Kingpin's fall clouds future of drug heartland.

Argentina's poor at risk as inflation weakens safety net.

Court: School was within its rights to ban U.S. flag T-shirts on Cinco de Mayo.

Whispers persist that Hillary won’t run: Health may be worse than disclosed.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

McRaven: Threat from al Qaeda is 'much more broad' today.

SOCOM Chief: Threats from Al Qaeda have diminished in last five years.

Al-Qaeda plots comeback in Afghanistan.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Stocks rise after Yellen talks taper; record finish for S&P 500.

MtGox seeks court protection after $633m Bitcoin loss. MtGox bitcoin exchange files for bankruptcy.

British man charged with hacking US Federal Reserve computers.

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