Russian troops take over Ukraine's Crimea region

---

• Russian troops take over Ukraine's Crimea region
• No. 2 Wichita St routs Missouri St to stay perfect
• Putin ready to invade Ukraine; Kiev warns of war
• Analysis: Limited US, European options in Ukraine
• AP PHOTOS: Days of turmoil in Ukraine
• Wave of pro-Russia sentiment hits Crimea capital
• Ukraine leader puts military on high alert
• Blasts rock north Nigerian city, many feared dead
• Obama national security aides discuss policy options for Ukraine
• Stewart still not 100 percent after Daytona
• Jagr nets 700th NHL goal in Devils' rout of Isles
• Saturated slopes worry California cities
• UConn upsets No. 11 Cincinnati 51-45
• Tanaka strikes out three in solid Yankee debut
• Ukraine asks U.N. Security Council to protect it from Russia
• China: Train station attack an act of terrorism
• Vandals target Spike Lee's former home after rant
• Putin moves to send troops into Ukraine
• Deal could allow gays in Boston St. Pat's parade
• Thirst for democracy catches world powers off guard
• 3 Frisbee team members killed in Minnesota crash
• At least 28 die in 'terrorist' attack at Chinese train station
• Buffett upbeat about future despite trailing S&P
• Tanaka goes 2 shutout innings in 1st Yankees game
• Fresh Venezuela protests after violent clashes
• Ukraine peace sought for Paralympics in Sochi
• Chelsea pull clear, Pardew sent off for headbutt
• Mother: 2 NY celebrations of Hoffman life planned
• British opposition Labour party loosens century-old tie with unions
• Spirit Awards to give dressed-down Oscar preview
• Ukraine puts forces on combat alert, warns of war
• Buffett says more bad news on pension funds during next decade
• Top officials at White House meeting on Ukraine
• Devils' Jagr becomes 7th NHL player with 700 goals
• Boston's St. Pat's parade to feature gay group
• No. 4 South Carolina ready for No. 10 Lady Vols
• Suspects shot dead in China station attack: Xinhua
• Britain says 'no excuse' for military intervention in Ukraine
• Federer downs Berdych for sixth Dubai Open
• West voices alarm on Crimea, calls on Russia to respect Ukraine sovereignty

Russian troops take over Ukraine's Crimea region Posted: 01 Mar 2014 01:25 PM PST SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine (AP) — Russian troops took over Crimea as the parliament in Moscow gave President Vladimir Putin a green light Saturday to use the military to protect Russian interests in Ukraine. The newly installed government in Kiev was powerless to react to the action by Russian troops based in the strategic region and more flown in, aided by pro-Russian Ukrainian groups.

No. 2 Wichita St routs Missouri St to stay perfect Posted: 01 Mar 2014 01:24 PM PST WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita State will carry its pursuit of perfection into the Missouri Valley tournament.

Putin ready to invade Ukraine; Kiev warns of war Posted: 01 Mar 2014 01:23 PM PST By Lidia Kelly and Pavel Polityuk MOSCOW/KIEV (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded and won his parliament's approval on Saturday to invade Ukraine, where the new government warned of war, put its troops on high alert and appealed to NATO for help. Putin's open assertion of the right to send troops to a country of 46 million people on the ramparts of central Europe creates the biggest confrontation between Russia and the West since the Cold War. Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk, leading a government that took power after Moscow's ally Viktor Yanukovich fled a week ago, said Russian military action "would be the beginning of war and the end of any relations between Ukraine and Russia".

Analysis: Limited US, European options in Ukraine Posted: 01 Mar 2014 01:21 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite blunt warnings about costs and consequences, President Barack Obama and European leaders have limited options for retaliating against Russia's military intervention in Ukraine, the former Soviet republic now at the center of an emerging conflict between East and West.

AP PHOTOS: Days of turmoil in Ukraine Posted: 01 Mar 2014 01:17 PM PST Ignoring President Barack Obama's warning that "there will be costs" if Moscow intervenes militarily in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has sharply raised the stakes in the conflict over Ukraine's future, evoking memories of Cold War brinkmanship. The latest moves follow months of pro-democracy protests against the now-fugitive president, Viktor Yanukovych, and his decision to turn Ukraine toward Russia, its longtime patron, instead of the European Union.

Wave of pro-Russia sentiment hits Crimea capital Posted: 01 Mar 2014 01:09 PM PST Simferopol (Ukraine) (AFP) - "Crimea, rise up!" shouted the protesters who rallied in their hundreds Saturday in the capital of Ukraine's flashpoint peninsula, waving Russian flags in a region that is slowly edging away from the control of Kiev's new government. Masked and helmeted pro-Russia militia patrolled outside Simferopol's regional parliament building and flexed their muscle nearby on the streets of the city. The Russian-speaking southern Crimea peninsula has been in flux since a bloody three-month uprising in Ukraine swept Moscow's allies from power and brought in a pro-West leadership, angering giant neighbour Russia whose parliament on Saturday approved the deployment of troops in the ex-Soviet country.

Ukraine leader puts military on high alert Posted: 01 Mar 2014 01:08 PM PST SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine (AP) — Russian troops took over Crimea as the parliament in Moscow gave President Vladimir Putin a green light Saturday to use the military to protect Russian interests in Ukraine. The newly installed government in Kiev was powerless to react to the action by Russian troops based in the strategic region and more flown in, aided by pro-Russian Ukrainian groups.

Blasts rock north Nigerian city, many feared dead Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:50 PM PST MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — Two bombs exploded at a crowded marketplace in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri on Saturday night, and many are feared killed and wounded in the birthplace of the Boko Haram extremist network, witnesses said.

Obama national security aides discuss policy options for Ukraine Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:48 PM PST President Barack Obama's national security team met on Saturday for an update on the situation in Ukraine and to discuss potential policy options, a senior Obama administration official said. The meeting came as Ukraine asked the United States and other key members of the U.N. Security Council to help safeguard its territorial integrity after Russia announced plans to send armed forces into the country's autonomous Crimea region. Seen leaving the White House after the meeting were Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, CIA Director John Brennan, General Martin Dempsey, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and James Clapper, director of national intelligence.

Stewart still not 100 percent after Daytona Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:47 PM PST AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Tony Stewart came back from a broken right leg at the Daytona 500 still not fully healed, yet able to race.

Jagr nets 700th NHL goal in Devils' rout of Isles Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:47 PM PST UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Jaromir Jagr became the seventh player to score 700 NHL goals, sparking New Jersey's four-goal second period, and Martin Brodeur earned the win in his first start in over a month as the Devils routed the New York Islanders 6-1 on Saturday.

Saturated slopes worry California cities Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:46 PM PST LOS ANGELES (AP) — Saturated mountainsides loomed over foothill communities on Saturday as a storm centered off California rotated bands of rain into a state that sorely needs the moisture but not at such dangerously high rates.

UConn upsets No. 11 Cincinnati 51-45 Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:42 PM PST HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — UConn didn't score a basket in the last 7½ minutes against No. 11 Cincinnati on Saturday, and still won the game.

Tanaka strikes out three in solid Yankee debut Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:36 PM PST Masahiro Tanaka struck out three and surrendered two hits in two scoreless innings Saturday in his Major League Baseball pre-season debut for the New York Yankees against the Philadelphia Phillies. Wearing a black jersey with number 19, the 25-year-old Japanese right-hander pitched the fifth and sixth innings in a relief role behind two other Yankee starters, C.C. Sabathia and Hiroki Kuroda. I was really pleased," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. Tanaka threw 31 pitches, four under the limit that was set for him in his first pre-season training outing against opposing batters, a game telecast live in Japan in the early morning hours.

Ukraine asks U.N. Security Council to protect it from Russia Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:30 PM PST By Louis Charbonneau UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - Ukraine on Saturday asked the United States and other key members of the U.N. Security Council to help safeguard its territorial integrity after Russia announced plans to send armed forces into the country's autonomous Crimea region. "We can stop the expansion of this aggression," Ukraine's U.N. Ambassador Yuriy Sergeyev told reporters after addressing a closed-door U.N. Security Council meeting on the crisis in his country. He said that Russia's military aggression had violated a 1994 agreement on safeguarding Ukraine's territorial integrity and called on the other four permanent U.N. Security Council members to use their diplomatic powers to help his country.

China: Train station attack an act of terrorism Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:28 PM PST BEIJING (AP) — Knife-wielding assailants attacked people at a train station in southwestern China on Saturday in what authorities called a terrorist attack and police fatally shot five of the assailants, leaving 28 people dead and 113 injured, state media said.

Vandals target Spike Lee's former home after rant Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:27 PM PST NEW YORK (AP) — Vandals targeted the former Brooklyn home of filmmaker Spike Lee and the house next door after a video of one of the director's humor-laced rants against gentrification went viral.

Putin moves to send troops into Ukraine Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:25 PM PST Russian President Vladimir Putin won the green light from parliament Saturday to send troops into Ukraine after a bloody three-month uprising swept pro-EU leaders to power while also sparking a pro-Kremlin backlash on the Crimean peninsula. Ukraine's interim leaders immediately responded by both putting the army on heightened alert and voicing confidence that war will be averted because it would break the two neighbours' historic relations for good. The stark escalation in what threatens to become the worst crisis in relations between Moscow and the West since the Cold War came as Kalashnikov-wielding militia hoisted the Russian flag over Crimean government buildings and seized control of the peninsula's airports. Pro-Kremlin rallies also swept several big eastern and southern Ukrainian cities whose cultural links to Moscow stretch back centuries and whose economic survival depends largely on Russian trade.

Deal could allow gays in Boston St. Pat's parade Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:20 PM PST BOSTON (AP) — The St. Patrick's Day parade in Boston is easing its two-decade ban on gay organizations under a tentative deal to allow them to march in an event that once went to the Supreme Court to keep gays out, a marriage equality group said Saturday.

Thirst for democracy catches world powers off guard Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:18 PM PST Time was, overturning a freely-elected government would have earned a sharp US rebuke. But as people power revolts sweep some countries, Washington is increasingly giving its blessing to ousting leaders accused of betraying democracy. From Egypt, where the nation's first democratically-elected president Islamist leader Mohamed Morsi was toppled in July by the army, to Ukraine where Viktor Yanukovych, brought to power in 2010 polls, fled his post after months of street protests, the US has had to fine-tune its response. Indeed US Secretary of State John Kerry said bluntly this week: "A democracy is not defined solely by an election."

3 Frisbee team members killed in Minnesota crash Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:14 PM PST NORTHFIELD, Minn. (AP) — Neither alcohol or excessive speed appear to be factors in a crash that killed three Minnesota college students, who were members of one of the nation's top Ultimate Frisbee teams, the Minnesota State Patrol said Saturday.

At least 28 die in 'terrorist' attack at Chinese train station Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:08 PM PST By Ben Blanchard BEIJING (Reuters) - At least 28 people were killed by knife-wielding attackers in a "violent terrorist attack" at a train station in the southwestern Chinese city of Kunming, and police shot dead five of the assailants, state media said on Sunday. Another 113 people were wounded, the official Xinhua news agency said, revising down an earlier higher figure. "It was an organized, premeditated violent terrorist attack," Xinhua said. "They just fell on the ground." Graphic pictures on the Twitter-like microblogging service Sina Weibo showed bodies covered in blood lying on the ground at the station.

Buffett upbeat about future despite trailing S&P Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:07 PM PST OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Billionaire Warren Buffett is confident that Berkshire Hathaway will be a mainstay of the U.S. economy for the next 100 years, regardless of whether it sometimes underperforms bull market runs, like it did last year.

Tanaka goes 2 shutout innings in 1st Yankees game Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:05 PM PST TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Masahiro Tanaka allowed two hits and struck out three over two scoreless innings in his first spring training game for the New York Yankees.

Fresh Venezuela protests after violent clashes Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:01 PM PST Anti-government protesters took to the streets of Venezuela's capital on Saturday, calling for the release of dozens of activists who have been arrested during three weeks of violent demonstrations. Protesters from a radical opposition group formed a convoy of cars and bikes in eastern Caracas after fresh violence on Friday saw pitched battles between security forces and demonstrators. A total of 18 people have died in the demonstrations against President Nicolas Maduro's government, according to official figures. Protesters on Saturday vowed to boycott Venezuela's annual carnival celebrations as a mark of respect to the dead.

Ukraine peace sought for Paralympics in Sochi Posted: 01 Mar 2014 12:00 PM PST LONDON (AP) — Leaders of the Paralympics expressed hopes Saturday for a peaceful outcome in Ukraine after Russia executed a de facto military takeover of the Crimea region as athletes arrived in nearby Sochi for next week's start of the Winter Paralympics.

Chelsea pull clear, Pardew sent off for headbutt Posted: 01 Mar 2014 11:55 AM PST An Andre Schurrle hat-trick saw Chelsea stretch their lead in the Premier League on Saturday, while Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew was sent off for headbutting an opposition player. Germany international Schurrle scored three times in 17 second-half minutes as Chelsea won 3-1 at Fulham and a 1-0 loss for Arsenal at Stoke City left Jose Mourinho's side with a four-point lead over their London rivals.

Mother: 2 NY celebrations of Hoffman life planned Posted: 01 Mar 2014 11:53 AM PST ROCHESTER, N.Y. (AP) — The mother of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman says there will be public celebrations of her son's life in both New York City and Rochester this spring.

British opposition Labour party loosens century-old tie with unions Posted: 01 Mar 2014 11:51 AM PST Britain's opposition Labour party voted on Saturday to change its century-old relationship with trade unions to try to revitalise the party before next year's parliamentary election. In such elections the vote of an ordinary party member will now have the same weight as that of a member of parliament, and union members will vote as individuals rather than in a bloc. The shift also ends automatic enrolment of union members in the Labour party. Britain's biggest union, Unite, was accused - but later cleared - of hijacking the selection of a candidate to contest a parliamentary seat in the Scottish town of Falkirk to increase its influence in government.

Spirit Awards to give dressed-down Oscar preview Posted: 01 Mar 2014 11:50 AM PST SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) — The Oscars will get a dressed-down, beach-side rehearsal at Saturday's 29th annual Spirit Awards.

Ukraine puts forces on combat alert, warns of war Posted: 01 Mar 2014 11:42 AM PST Ukraine put its armed forces on full combat alert on Saturday and warned Russia that any military intervention in the country would lead to war. After a more than three-hour meeting with security and defense chiefs, Acting President Oleksander Turchinov said there was no justification for what he called Russian aggression against his country. Standing beside Turchinov, Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said he had urged Russia to return its troops to base in the Crimea region during a phone call with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and called for talks.

Buffett says more bad news on pension funds during next decade Posted: 01 Mar 2014 11:41 AM PST By Luciana Lopez NEW YORK (Reuters) - Berkshire Hathaway chief executive Warren Buffett warned on Saturday that the growing crisis in public pensions will intensify, with "a lot" of bad news to come. In his annual letter to Berkshire shareholders, Buffett said: "Local and state financial problems are accelerating, in large part because public entities promised pensions they couldn't afford. Citizens and public officials typically under-appreciated the gigantic financial tapeworm that was born when promises were made that conflicted with a willingness to fund them." Buffett pointed out a 1975 memo he wrote to Katharine Graham, then chairman of The Washington Post Company, about the pitfalls of pension promises and the importance of investment policy. In that memo, which is 38-1/2 years old, Buffett said the first rule regarding pension costs is "to know what you are getting into before signing up." He wrote: "There probably is more managerial ignorance on pension costs than any other cost item of remotely similar magnitude.

Top officials at White House meeting on Ukraine Posted: 01 Mar 2014 11:39 AM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is reviewing Russia's military moves in Ukraine and trying to figure out how to respond.

Devils' Jagr becomes 7th NHL player with 700 goals Posted: 01 Mar 2014 11:39 AM PST UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) — Jaromir Jagr became the seventh player to score 700 NHL goals, reaching the mark in the second period on Saturday in the New Jersey Devils' game against the New York Islanders.

Boston's St. Pat's parade to feature gay group Posted: 01 Mar 2014 11:34 AM PST BOSTON (AP) — The St. Patrick's Day parade in Boston is easing its two-decade ban on gay organizations under a tentative deal to allow them to march in an event that once went to the Supreme Court to keep gays out, a marriage equality group said Saturday.

No. 4 South Carolina ready for No. 10 Lady Vols Posted: 01 Mar 2014 11:30 AM PST KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The lone regular-season matchup between No. 4 South Carolina and No. 10 Tennessee won't have any impact on the Southeastern Conference championship.

Suspects shot dead in China station attack: Xinhua Posted: 01 Mar 2014 11:29 AM PST BEIJING (Reuters) - A number of suspects were shot dead during a "premeditated, violent terrorist attack" at a train station in southwestern China in which at least 27 people died, state media said on Sunday. The official Xinhua news agency said the identities of those shot dead had yet to be confirmed. The attack happened late on Saturday in Kunming city. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

Britain says 'no excuse' for military intervention in Ukraine Posted: 01 Mar 2014 11:17 AM PST By Belinda Goldsmith LONDON (Reuters) - Britain urged Russia on Saturday to calm the situation in Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin secured his parliament's authority to invade his neighbor's territory. "There can be no excuse for outside military intervention in Ukraine - a point I made to President Putin when we spoke yesterday," Prime Minister David Cameron said. The world is watching." Britain called an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council for Saturday to discuss events in Ukraine. Foreign Secretary William Hague described the Russian action as a "potentially grave threat" to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity that breached a 1994 pact signed by Russia, the United States, Britain and Ukraine.

Federer downs Berdych for sixth Dubai Open Posted: 01 Mar 2014 11:11 AM PST Roger Federer followed his best win in 18 months by taking his first title in nine months with a revenge victory over Tomas Berdych in Saturday's final of the Dubai Open. Federer came from behind to beat world number two Novak Djokovic on Friday. Now he did the same against Berdych, the man who saved two match points against him in last year's semi-finals, winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to claim a sixth title in the UAE. Federer was a set and a break down and appeared to be out of it but managed to find some good returns at last, just as the match was slipping away, and broke back at once.

West voices alarm on Crimea, calls on Russia to respect Ukraine sovereignty Posted: 01 Mar 2014 11:02 AM PST The West expressed alarm on Saturday over fast-moving developments in Ukraine's Crimea, urging all sides to avoid further escalation and calling on Russia to respect Ukraine's sovereignty. A week after violent protests forced Russian-backed President Viktor Yanukovich to abandon power in Kiev, Ukraine's new leaders say Russia is trying to take control of the southern Crimea region, which has a majority ethnic Russian population. France, Britain and Germany issued calls for de-escalation in Crimea hours after U.S. President Barack Obama warned that military intervention in the region would be deeply destabilizing and "carry costs".

You are subscribed to email updates from Yahoo News - Top Stories To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now.	Email delivery powered by Google
Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610