Thursday, March 6, 2014

World News Briefs -- March 6, 2014



U.S. Escalates Sanction Response in Ukraine Crisis -- New York Times

ROME — The United States escalated its response to Russia’s military and economic threats to Ukraine on Thursday, announcing it has imposed visa bans on officials and others deemed responsible for actions that have undermined Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The new sanctions, announced by the Obama administration, carried the threat of further steps. The announcement came as the European Union was considering its own punitive measures and as Secretary of State John Kerry met for a second day with the Russian foreign minister, Sergey V. Lavrov, on ways to defuse the Ukraine crisis, one of the most serious East-West confrontations since the Cold War.

Russian officials reacted angrily and suggested that Russia would reciprocate with its own anti-American sanctions.

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

UN accuses all armed groups in Syria of war crimes.

Amid carnage of war, Syria readies for Assad re-election.

Israel fires on Hezbollah on Syrian border.

US: Iran must address nuclear arms suspicions. Iran emphasizes nuclear reconciliation, criticizes US military posture in Persian Gulf.

Iran to get second tranche of payment under nuclear deal: IRNA.

Top Turkish court backs ex-army chief's bid for release.

Qatar rift is pivotal test for disunited Gulf families.

ASIA

Pakistan’s prime minister has breakfast with Taliban negotiators.

NATO airstrike kills 5 Afghan soldiers.

Afghan president's brother withdraws from election race.

China apprehending boats weekly in disputed South China Sea.

Seoul: China plane 'flew near North Korea missile path'.

Membership of Japan's yakuza crime gangs falls to all-time low.

Australia reports bigger-than-expected trade surplus.

IBM China workers strike over terms in $2.3 billion Lenovo deal.

AFRICA

Somalia's al-Shabab 'defeated' in Rabdhure town.

UN extends arms embargo on Somalia.

South Sudan soldiers die in 'pay battle' at army HQ.

Tunisia lifts state of emergency, three years after revolt.

Niger extradites Gaddafi's son Saadi to Libya.

US freezes $458m hidden by Nigerian ex-leader.

Nigeria court orders men whipped for gay sex.

South Africa graft watchdog to release Zuma report March 19.

Power cuts roll out in South African energy emergency.

EUROPE

US imposes visa restrictions on Russian officials as Obama signs sanctions order.

Lavrov, Kerry agree that Ukraine should uphold peace accord.

Crowds of volunteers sign up to defend Ukraine at Kiev recruitment offices.

EU freezes assets of ousted Ukrainian leader and 17 others.

Macedonia calls early parliamentary election for April 27.

Shell boss warns against Scottish independence.

Where West failed, people power spurs change in Bosnia.

Secret Sarkozy recordings spark uproar in French right party.


Germany offers fund to defuse Greek war reparation claims.

AMERICAS

Obama imposes sanctions on some Russians over Ukraine.

CIA probing allegations it improperly monitored Senate committee: reports.

Venezuela breaks diplomatic relations with Panama, citing conspiracy. Panama says rejects Venezuelan President Maduro's 'offenses'.

Costa Rica candidate quits election bid, paves way for leftist.

El Chapo' denied petition against US extradition.

Dalai Lama opens US Senate session with prayer.

Snow, ice cover will boost Great Lakes levels.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Trial of Osama bin Laden’s son-in-law begins.

Head of al Qaeda 'Victory Committee' in Syria.


Yemen drone strike kills al-Qaeda suspects.

Al-Qaeda in Yemen executes alleged U.S. informer: security.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

US convicts men who sold DuPont secrets to China firm.

IMF says its 'negative image' steers countries away from borrowing.

Facebook tightens rules on gun posts.

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