World News Briefs -- March 29, 2014

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks while presenting the executive director of Saudi Arabia's National Family Safety Program Maha Al Muneef with the U.S. Secretary of State's International Woman of Courage Award in Riyadh March 29, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Kevin Lamarque

Obama Ends Four-Nation Trip In Diplomatic Limbo Over Ukraine -- Reuters

(Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama ended a four-nation foreign trip on Saturday at the same point that he began it, still facing great uncertainty about a diplomatic way out of the Ukraine crisis.

His diplomatic consultations at The Hague, Brussels and Rome over the past week all resulted in a strong show of unity between the United States and Europe that Russia must face consequences should it move against southern or eastern Ukraine.

But whether European allies would be able to stomach the type of crippling sanctions required to undermine the Russian economy in a major way remained an open question, since some of their own economies would be jolted as well.

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MIDDLE EAST

Obama seeks to reassure Saudi King on Iran talks, Syrian war. Obama reassures Saudis over Mideast policies.

Is America's relationship with Saudi Arabia broken beyond repair?

Obama defends not using force in Syria. Obama says US military strikes could not have stopped Syria misery.

Syrian forces take two villages near Lebanon.

UN: Syrian humanitarian crisis 'bleak'.

Turks head to polls for local elections that will serve as a referendum on premier’s rule.

Angry Iranians urge their government: Be more like Israel.

ASIA

Flight MH370: Chinese ships searching for objects in new area.

No sign of missing plane in new search area.

Gunmen attack Afghan election commission. Taliban suicide bombers attack Afghan electoral commission HQ in Kabul

Japan, North Korea prepare for high-level talks.

Negotiator 'confident' over Pakistan Taliban ceasefire.

Tony Abbott hails 100 days without asylum-seeker boats arriving.

AFRICA

Nigeria's Boko Haram insurgency 'affects millions'.

UN: One million displaced by S Sudan conflict.

Central African Republic: Bangui grenade attack kills 11.

Thousands of Muslims stuck in C. African Republic.

Libya poised to retake oil ports from rebels in move that could split country.

Analysts: Kenya's gains against ethnic violence fragile.

Robert Mugabe to boycott EU-Africa summit after wife denied visa.

EUROPE

Ukraine crisis: Russia vows no invasion. Russia rules out intention to invade Ukraine.

Putin calls Obama to discuss proposal for Ukraine, says White House.

Ukraine's Vitali Klitschko pulls out of presidential race.

Slovaks vote in second round of presidential poll.

Angelina Jolie, U.K.’s Hague praise Bosnia for rape prevention in military training.

AMERICAS

Shallow earthquake hits Los Angeles.

Latin America likely to embark on needed reforms: IADB.

Brazilian plane makes emergency landing with no front wheels.

Industry group: Venezuela agrees to repatriate $3.8B airline revenues.

Somber vigil as Washington mudslide death toll expected to climb.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

The war of Jihadists against Jihadists in Syria.

Cheney on waterboarding: 'If I would have to do it all over again, I would'.

Lawyers say FBI tried to recruit brother of Boston Marathon bombing suspect.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

BlackBerry reports loss, revenue decline but says it’s improving. Blackberry reports $5.9bn annual loss.

Lufthansa pilots' union calls strike.

What will sanctions mean for London's Russian oligarchs?