Woods withdraws in final round of Honda Classic

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• Woods withdraws in final round of Honda Classic
• Russian PM Medvedev warns Ukraine's new leaders they won't last
• Ukraine mobilizes after Putin's 'declaration of war'
• At least 74 dead in Boko Haram violence in Nigeria
• Woods withdraws from final round of Honda Classic
• World scrambles as Russia tightens grip on Crimea
• US prepares tough response for Russia over Ukraine
• Separatists blamed for China knife attack; 33 dead
• NATO deplores Russia's actions, offers no hard response
• Evacuation orders lifted after California storm
• SEC investigates Citigroup over fraudulent Mexican loans: source
• Rap disrespect of black icons raises concerns
• Merkel tells Putin Russia has broken international law in Ukraine
• Thousands march in pro-invasion rally in Moscow
• Massive storm system takes aim at winter-weary Midwest, East
• Pistorius channel goes on air in South Africa
• Issa: Ex-IRS exec to testify on tea party scrutiny
• China vows to punish deadly station rampage, blames separatists
• Surprises at Academy Awards may be few
• Hollywood set for Oscars drama as storms ease
• NATO urges Russia to bring troops back to bases
• Wide range of wintry conditions affects half of US
• U.S. brandishes threat of sanctions on Russia over Ukraine
• German foreign minister against excluding Russia from G8
• U.S. says it has support at OSCE for Ukraine monitoring mission
• Some evacuations lifted after California storm
• Spanish journalist kidnapped in Syria released
• Ukrainian navy head removed, faces treason probe
• Klinsmann believes US can one day make World Cup semis
• Ancelotti hails Real response to Atletico's tough guys
• AP Sources: Bills talks with Byrd reach standstill
• CORRECTS: Official: head of Ukrainian navy removed, under investigation for treason
• Italy appeals to Russia to negotiate, not invade Ukraine
• UNC's Hatchell still hoping to return for NCAAs
• Gunmen kill French national in Libya's Benghazi
• Chavez cult no match for Venezuela's crisis
• Jimmy Fallon, Chicago mayor take a chilly dip
• Suspected Islamists kill 85 in northeast Nigeria
• Ukrainian admiral fired, faces treason probe

Woods withdraws in final round of Honda Classic Posted: 02 Mar 2014 01:14 PM PST PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods withdrew from the Honda Classic on the 13th hole Sunday, claiming a lower back injury with spasms.

Russian PM Medvedev warns Ukraine's new leaders they won't last Posted: 02 Mar 2014 01:14 PM PST Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Facebook on Sunday that Ukraine's leaders had seized power illegally, and predicted their rule would end with "a new revolution" and new bloodshed. Medvedev said that, while Viktor Yanukovich had practically no authority, he remained the legitimate head of state according the constitution, adding: "If he is guilty before Ukraine - hold an impeachment procedure ... and try him." "Everything else is lawlessness. The seizure of power," Medvedev said on his Facebook page. He surfaced on Friday in Russia.

Ukraine mobilizes after Putin's 'declaration of war' Posted: 02 Mar 2014 01:12 PM PST By Natalia Zinets and Alissa de Carbonnel KIEV/BALACLAVA, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukraine mobilized for war on Sunday and Washington threatened to isolate Russia economically, after President Vladimir Putin declared he had the right to invade his neighbor in Moscow's biggest confrontation with the West since the Cold War. "This is not a threat: this is actually the declaration of war to my country," Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk said in English. Yatsenuik heads a pro-Western government that took power when the country's Russia-backed president, Viktor Yanukovich, was ousted last week. Putin secured permission from his parliament on Saturday to use military force to protect Russian citizens in Ukraine and told U.S. President Barack Obama he had the right to defend Russian interests and nationals, spurning Western pleas not to intervene.

At least 74 dead in Boko Haram violence in Nigeria Posted: 02 Mar 2014 01:11 PM PST Maiduguri (Nigeria) (AFP) - At least 74 people were killed in attacks blamed on Boko Haram militants this weekend, taking the overall death toll this year beyond 300, with no apparent end in sight to the carnage. Nearly 250 people had lost their lives since the turn of the year, even before the latest attacks, which saw twin blasts rip through the capital of Borno state, Maiduguri and heavily armed gunmen then open fire on a nearby village. The attacks will likely renew fears that Nigeria is struggling to contain the Islamist insurgency and the perception that militant fighters are able to roam the northeast with impunity, attacking at will. At least 35 people were killed in the crowded Gomari district of Maiduguri, many of them food vendors and children hawking goods, as locals prepared for evening prayers on Saturday.

Woods withdraws from final round of Honda Classic Posted: 02 Mar 2014 01:05 PM PST Palm Beach Gardens (United States) (AFP) - World number one Tiger Woods withdrew from the Honda Classic Sunday with a reported bad back.

World scrambles as Russia tightens grip on Crimea Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:59 PM PST PEREVALNE, Ukraine (AP) — Warning that it was "on the brink of disaster," Ukraine put its military on high alert Sunday and appealed for international help to avoid what it feared was the possibility of an invasion by Russia.

US prepares tough response for Russia over Ukraine Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:56 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Western powers on Sunday prepared a tough response to Russia's military advance into Ukraine and warned that Moscow could face economic penalties, diplomatic isolation and bolstered allied defenses in Europe unless it retreated.

Separatists blamed for China knife attack; 33 dead Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:52 PM PST KUNMING, China (AP) — Authorities on Sunday blamed a slashing rampage that killed 29 people and wounded 143 at a train station in southern China on separatists from the country's far west, while local residents said government crackdowns had taken their toll on the alleged culprits.

NATO deplores Russia's actions, offers no hard response Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:48 PM PST By Luke Baker and Justyna Pawlak BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Russia's seizure of Crimea is a threat to peace in Europe and the situation must be "de-escalated", NATO's secretary-general said on Sunday, but the alliance failed to agree any major steps to rein in Russia during emergency talks in Brussels. Speaking before chairing a meeting of ambassadors from the 28 NATO member states, known as the North Atlantic Council, Anders Fogh Rasmussen warned that Russia's actions were unacceptable and could destabilize the continent. "What Russia is doing now in Ukraine violates the principles of the United Nations charter," Rasmussen told reporters.

Evacuation orders lifted after California storm Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:48 PM PST LOS ANGELES (AP) — Residents in three California foothill communities headed home Sunday after a powerful storm that threatened to unleash mud on neighborhoods beneath unstable hills scarred by recent wildfires.

SEC investigates Citigroup over fraudulent Mexican loans: source Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:45 PM PST The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is investigating Citigroup for accounting fraud after it disclosed bogus loans in its Mexican Banamex unit, a source familiar with the investigation said. The securities regulator is also examining whether Citigroup violated the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the source said. An employee at Banamex has been questioned by Mexican police after being suspected by the bank of involvement in the loan scheme, another source familiar with the police investigation said. Citigroup said on Friday it had found $400 million in bad Banamex loans and was reducing its full year profit by $235 million to $13.67 billion, after the bank had first reported its 2013 earnings more than one month ago.

Rap disrespect of black icons raises concerns Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:44 PM PST Malcolm X and rap music have always fit together like a needle in the groove, connected by struggle, strength and defiance. But three recent episodes involving the use or misuse of Malcolm and other black icons have raised the question: Has rap lost touch with black history?

Merkel tells Putin Russia has broken international law in Ukraine Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:41 PM PST German Chancellor Angela Merkel accused Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday of breaching international law with "unacceptable Russian intervention" in Ukraine, a German government spokesman said on Sunday. Russian forces have bloodlessly seized Crimea - an isolated Black Sea peninsula with a majority of Russian speakers and where Moscow has a naval base. "The chancellor called upon the Russian President again to respect Ukraine's territorial integrity," deputy government spokesman Georg Streiter said in a statement after a phone call between the two leaders. Putin accepted Merkel's proposal to establish a "fact-finding mission" like a contact group, possibly under the leadership of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), to start a political dialogue, the spokesman said.

Thousands march in pro-invasion rally in Moscow Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:32 PM PST MOSCOW (AP) — Thousands marched freely through Moscow on Sunday in support of Russia using military force in neighboring Ukraine, while at an anti-invasion protest nearby dozens were detained.

Massive storm system takes aim at winter-weary Midwest, East Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:28 PM PST By Victoria Cavaliere NEW YORK (Reuters) - A massive winter storm system packing cold air, snow and freezing rain was pummeling the central United States on Sunday and headed for the East Coast, sending temperatures plummeting and causing major delays for weekend travelers. The storm "is going to be a real mess," said Bruce Sullivan, a senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Silver Spring, Maryland. "Ripple-effect flight delays and cancellations are likely to reach nationwide," said AccuWeather meteorologist Alex Sosnowski. SNOW EMERGENCY Boston and New York City should see only light snowfall, but lingering freezing rain could complicate Monday morning's rush hour for commuters.

Pistorius channel goes on air in South Africa Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:25 PM PST PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — A cable TV channel devoted to the Oscar Pistorius murder trial went on air in South Africa on Sunday night showing footage of the blonde model the world-famous athlete shot dead at his home a year ago. The video includes footage of her playing with dolphins.

Issa: Ex-IRS exec to testify on tea party scrutiny Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:20 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — A House committee expects to hear firsthand from the former official at the center of what the government has acknowledged was the improper targeting of tea party groups claiming tax-exempt status.

China vows to punish deadly station rampage, blames separatists Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:18 PM PST Kunming (China) (AFP) - China Sunday promised tough punishment for knife-wielding attackers who killed 29 people in an unprecedented train station rampage, blaming separatists from Xinjiang, as witnesses described a city in shock. Victims spoke of black-clad attackers slashing indiscriminately as people queued to buy tickets late Saturday at Kunming station, in an incident that lasted about half an hour. Police shot dead at least four attackers, arrested one and were hunting for more, said the official Xinhua news agency, which in a commentary called the incident "China's 9/11" and a "severe crime against the humanity".

Surprises at Academy Awards may be few Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:10 PM PST LOS ANGELES (AP) — After a blustery few days of torrential downpours, Hollywood appears ready for smooth sailing at the Academy Awards. But things got off to a soggy start on Sunday morning when a passing shower dampened portions of the red carpet that had been uncovered in anticipation of clearing skies.

Hollywood set for Oscars drama as storms ease Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:10 PM PST Hollywood (United States) (AFP) - Hollywood counted down the hours Sunday as stars gathered for the most fiercely contested Oscars show in decades, with three movies leading the field for Tinseltown's most highly coveted prizes. They awoke to gray skies but no downpours for the first time in three days, and a canopy protecting the Hollywood Boulevard runway leading into the Dolby Theatre was finally removed. Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs told AFP: "This has been an incredible year for films. On the acting front, Cate Blanchett is favorite for her turn in Woody Allen's "Blue Jasmine," while Matthew McConaughey is widely fancied to strike Oscars gold for his portrayal of homophobic HIV-positive AIDS activist Ron Woodroof in "Dallas Buyers Club."

NATO urges Russia to bring troops back to bases Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:09 PM PST NATO warned Russia on Sunday that military action against Ukraine was against international law, and expressed grave concern over the Russian parliament's authorization of the use of force. After an emergency meeting of NATO ambassadors in Brussels, the alliance called on Russia to bring its forces back to bases and refrain from interfering in Ukraine. "We urge both parties to immediately seek a peaceful solution through bilateral dialogue, with international facilitation ... and through the dispatch of international observers under the auspices of the United Nations Security Council or the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe," NATO said in a statement.

Wide range of wintry conditions affects half of US Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:04 PM PST WASHINGTON (AP) — Tourists flocked to the monuments in the nation's capital Sunday to enjoy spring-like 50 degree temperatures after a winter of one blast of snow and sub-zero temperatures after another.

U.S. brandishes threat of sanctions on Russia over Ukraine Posted: 02 Mar 2014 12:02 PM PST By Will Dunham and Arshad Mohammed WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States brandished the threat of economic sanctions on Russia on Sunday, with Secretary of State John Kerry calling Moscow's moves on Ukraine an "incredible act of aggression." As Washington's already strained relations with Moscow deteriorated further, Kerry was scathing in his condemnation and said the United States has "all options on the table" including a military response. But, doing the rounds of Sunday morning television news shows to stress U.S. disapproval of Russia's actions, Kerry emphasized Washington's desire for a peaceful resolution and analysts saw little chance of a U.S. military response.

German foreign minister against excluding Russia from G8 Posted: 02 Mar 2014 11:59 AM PST German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier urged world leaders on Sunday to work to calm the crisis in Ukraine and defended Russia's membership of the Group of Eight leading economies, which enabled the West to talk directly with Moscow. "The format of the G8 is actually the only one in which we in the West can speak directly with Russia," he told the public broadcaster ARD. "Should we really give up this unique format?" U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry earlier said recent events had "put at question Russia's capacity to be within the G8", which Russia joined in 1998. He urged Ukraine and Russia to talk with one another, if necessary through intermediaries.

U.S. says it has support at OSCE for Ukraine monitoring mission Posted: 02 Mar 2014 11:50 AM PST The United States has won tentative support from many members of the OSCE, Europe's main human rights and democracy watchdog, for an OSCE monitoring mission to be sent to Ukraine to help defuse the crisis there, its envoy said on Sunday. The 57-nation Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's discussed the situation in Ukraine during an informal extraordinary session on Sunday evening to prepare for a meeting of its Permanent Council in Vienna on Monday. Ukraine mobilized for war on Sunday and Washington threatened to isolate Russia economically after President Vladimir Putin declared he had the right to invade his neighbor, creating Moscow's biggest confrontation with the West since the Cold War.

Some evacuations lifted after California storm Posted: 02 Mar 2014 11:46 AM PST LOS ANGELES (AP) — Authorities have lifted evacuation orders in two California wildfire-scarred foothill communities that were threatened by mudflows during several days of powerful rain.

Spanish journalist kidnapped in Syria released Posted: 02 Mar 2014 11:43 AM PST DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — A Spanish journalist kidnapped by militants from a breakaway al-Qaida group in Syria crossed the border into Turkey on Sunday, his newspaper reported.

Ukrainian navy head removed, faces treason probe Posted: 02 Mar 2014 11:37 AM PST KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — A Ukrainian security official says the head of the country's navy has been dismissed and faces a treason investigation after declaring allegiance to the pro-Russian government of the Crimea region.

Klinsmann believes US can one day make World Cup semis Posted: 02 Mar 2014 11:33 AM PST United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann believes America will one day have a team capable of reaching the World Cup semi-finals, although later this year he is more realistically targeting the knock-out stages. Klinsmann, who coached Germany to third at the 2006 World Cup on home soil, will lead his USA team against the country of his birth in Recife on June 26 in their final group match. Yet Klinsmann -- who was in Frankfurt, where the US national team are preparing for Wednesday's international against Ukraine, which has been moved to Cyprus due to the political unrest -- told SID, an AFP subsidiary, the US "have a completely realistic chance of making the knock-out phase". And despite the fact they will soon be locking horns on the touchline, Klinsmann said he is still in close contact with Germany's head coach Joachim Loew, his assistant at the 2006 World Cup and a close friend.

Ancelotti hails Real response to Atletico's tough guys Posted: 02 Mar 2014 11:31 AM PST Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti praised his side's reaction to a physical Atletico performance as Cristiano Ronaldo's late equaliser salvaged a point in a heated 2-2 draw at the Vicente Calderon. The draw maintained Real's place at the top of La Liga, but they were thankful to some lenient refereeing from Carlos Delgado Ferreiro who waved away two strong Atletico claims for a penalty. Karim Beznema had given Real the lead after just three minutes, but Atletico reacted well and, despite their first penalty appeal turned down, were in front before half-time thanks to two fantastic strikes by Koke and Gabi. Ferreiro then denied the hosts the chance to seal the points when he booked Diego Costa for diving despite the striker appearing to have been brought down by Alvaro Arbeloa and then sent Atletico assistant boss Mono Burgos to the stands for taking his protests too far.

AP Sources: Bills talks with Byrd reach standstill Posted: 02 Mar 2014 11:25 AM PST BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Contract talks between the Bills and safety Jairus Byrd were at a standstill on Sunday, a day before Buffalo faces a deadline to apply the franchise tag on the three-time Pro Bowl selection.

CORRECTS: Official: head of Ukrainian navy removed, under investigation for treason Posted: 02 Mar 2014 11:24 AM PST KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — CORRECTS: Official: head of Ukrainian navy removed, under investigation for treason. (Corrects APNewsAlert to say that he's head of the Ukrainian navy, not the country's Black Sea fleet.)

Italy appeals to Russia to negotiate, not invade Ukraine Posted: 02 Mar 2014 11:17 AM PST Italy appealed to Russia on Sunday not to launch a "totally unacceptable" invasion of Ukraine and said it was extremely worried by recent events in Crimea. "The Italian government supports the pressing requests of the international community for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity to be respected," Prime Minister Matteo Renzi's office said in a statement. "Any violation of these principles would be totally unacceptable for Italy," it added. Western countries are scrambling to respond to developments in Ukraine's Crimea region, where Russian President Vladimir Putin has claimed the authority to send Russian troops in the biggest standoff between Moscow and the West since the Cold War.

UNC's Hatchell still hoping to return for NCAAs Posted: 02 Mar 2014 10:56 AM PST CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell says she's scheduled to start what she hopes is her final chemotherapy treatment for leukemia this week and "there's a chance" she could return for the NCAA tournament.

Gunmen kill French national in Libya's Benghazi Posted: 02 Mar 2014 10:55 AM PST By Ayman al-Warfalli and Feras Bosalum BENGHAZI, Libya (Reuters) - Gunmen killed a Frenchman and wounded an Egyptian in separate attacks in Libya's eastern city of Benghazi on Sunday, security sources said, as insecurity threatens to overwhelm the North African nation. In the capital, Tripoli, protesters stormed parliament to demand the dissolution of the General National Congress (GNC), shooting and wounding two lawmakers and beating others. Many Libyans blamed the GNC and the government for the chaos that persists three years after Muammar Gaddafi's overthrow. A security official named the Frenchman killed in Benghazi as Patrice Real, who worked for a company upgrading a large hospital.

Chavez cult no match for Venezuela's crisis Posted: 02 Mar 2014 10:55 AM PST CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — A year after Hugo Chavez's death, dozens of mourners still trek daily to his mausoleum atop a hillside slum overlooking downtown Caracas.

Jimmy Fallon, Chicago mayor take a chilly dip Posted: 02 Mar 2014 10:55 AM PST CHICAGO (AP) — Comedian Jimmy Fallon took a quick but icy dip in Lake Michigan — dressed in a full suit and tie — eyes bulging as he darted out of the slushy water and headed straight for a pile of dry towels.

Suspected Islamists kill 85 in northeast Nigeria Posted: 02 Mar 2014 10:54 AM PST By Lanre Ola MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (Reuters) - Suspected Islamist militants have killed at least 85 people in northeastern Nigeria, witnesses and officials said on Sunday, in a further setback to President Goodluck Jonathan's military campaign. Twin bomb blasts in the city of Maiduguri killed at least 46 people on Saturday evening while, around 50 km (30 miles) away, dozens of gunmen were razing a farming village, shooting dead another 39. The attacks will heap pressure on Jonathan, whose intensified military push to end the Islamist sect Boko Haram's four-and-a-half-year-old insurgency has been running for almost a year. While the bloodshed has not diminished, the army had at least had some success in confining it to remote rural areas in recent months, so that the attack on a densely populated market area in Maiduguri will be seen as a setback.

Ukrainian admiral fired, faces treason probe Posted: 02 Mar 2014 10:53 AM PST KIEV, Ukraine (AP) — A Ukrainian security official says the head of the country's Black Sea fleet has been dismissed and faces a treason investigation after declaring allegiance to the pro-Russian government of the Crimea region.

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