MOSCOW – MPs in Crimea have asked Moscow to allow the southern Ukrainian region to become part of the Russian Federation. Parliament said if its request was granted, Crimean citizens could give their view in a referendum on 16 March. A government minister in Kiev said it would be unconstitutional for Crimea to join Russia….
MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin says there is no need yet to send Russian troops into Ukraine. But Russia reserves the right to use “all means” to protect citizens in eastern Ukraine, Mr Putin said. He denied Russian troops had besieged Ukrainians based in Crimea – they were pro-Russian “self-defence” forces. Mr Putin called…
WASHINGTON — The surging price of Microsoft shares has returned US tech tycoon Bill Gates back to the top of Forbes magazine’s world billionaires list, with his $76bn beating out Mexico’s Carlos Slim’s $72bn. The annual list, released on Monday, counted 1,645 men and women as billionaires, with an average wealth of $4.5bn and a…
WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama has told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that Russia has flouted international law by sending troops to Ukraine. In a 90-minute telephone conversation, Mr Obama urged the Russian leader to pull forces back to bases in Crimea. Mr Putin responded by saying that Moscow reserves the right to protect…
KIEV – Deposed Ukraine president Yanukovych calls on Russia to ensure his personal safety.
KIEV – Ukraine has issued a warrant for the arrest of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych, the interim interior minister has announced. Arsen Avakov said on Facebook that a criminal case had been opened against Mr Yanukovych and other officials over “mass murder of peaceful citizens”. MPs voted to remove Mr Yanukovych on Saturday after months…
KIEV – Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and opposition protesters have agreed to an early presidential poll before the end of the year. The election is part of a deal to end the country’s political crisis. The deal has not been published, but Mr Yanukovych referred to a national unity government and constitutional changes reducing the…
KIEV – At least 21 protesters have been reported killed by security forces in Kiev following the breakdown of a truce agreed on Wednesday. Witnesses have told the BBC that some died as a result of single gunshot wounds, typical of sniper fire. Officials said that one policeman had died and that 67 police troops…
LONDON – The prime minister is urging the insurance industry to deal with flood claims as quickly as possible. David Cameron is also calling on insurers to offer more help to dry out homes. More than 5,000 homes and businesses are estimated to have been flooded since the start of December. No 10 will hold…
KIEV – Ukraine protesters are vacating city hall in Kiev, the symbolic centre of prolonged anti-government demonstrations, eyewitnesses say. “City hall is almost completely evacuated”, opposition spokesman Ruslan Andriyko told AFP. The government had promised to drop all charges against demonstrators if they vacate government buildings and lift roadblocks by Monday. City hall has been…
