Haredim Protest in Jerusalem Against Draft Bill

An estimated three hundred thousand Haredim took part in a mass protest in Jerusalem, on Sunday afternoon.

The Ultra Orthodox Jews were protesting government plans to draft them into the military.

Israel has mandatory service for most Israelis, though Orthodox Jews had been previously exempt.

However, a bill before Israel's parliament would allow for a few thousand to be drafted, though not all of them, unless a quota of five thousand isn't met by 2017.

Secular Israeli's support the bill as they see the exemptions as unfair.

Many Ultra Orthodox Jews feel that their beliefs keep them from serving in the military.

North Korea Launches 2 More Missiles

For the second time in four days, North Korea made a missile launch.

As they did on Thursday, the North launched missiles into the Sea of Japan, as part of "tests".

The two short range missiles struck nothing as they harmlessly hit the middle of the sea.

The launches came while South Korea and the US hold joint military exercises, something North Korea always decries occurring.

1 Dead After 104 Car Pileup in Denver

One person was killed and twenty people were hospitalized after a massive pileup, in Denver, Saturday morning.

Slick conditions, caused by recent snow, led to the accidents.

It began about 10:40 MST and left all lanes of northbound Interstate 25 closed between Logan and Broadway.

Just before 16:00 MST, the freeway was reopened, after all necessary cleanups were made.

Russia Prepares to Invade Ukraine After Seizing Crimea

Putin

On Saturday, Russia officially moved towards an invasion of Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin asked the Federal Assembly to allow troops to be sent due to the "extraordinary situation in Ukraine, the threat to the lives of citizens of the Russian Federation, our compatriots". Within moments they gave him a unanimous yes vote.

This comes a day after unmarked Russian troops seized the Crimea. Ukraine's interim President Oleksander Turchinov called upon the EU and NATO to defend his country against the Russians. However, the response from the world has been one of warning, as none of the western nations want to actually tangle with Russia.

Meanwhile, pro Russian demonstrators protested in several cities in the east of Ukraine. In some cases they turned violent, especially in Kharkiv, and attacked government buildings, tearing down Ukrainian flags and raising Russian ones.

Putin's moves are very similar to those he made over Georgia. His 2008 invasion of the former member of the Soviet Union, was also met by not but words from the west. Georgia has been occupied by Russia, ever since. 

Dual Explosions Strike Busy Market in Nigeria

Two explosions struck a market in Maiduguri, Nigeria, on Saturday.

At least ten people were killed by the blasts and dozens more were injured.

They struck minutes apart, in a movie theater which was airing a Premier League football game.

No one has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Taliban Offers Pakistan a Month Long Cease Fire With Terms That Can't Be Kept

Shahidullah Shahid

The Pakistani Taliban has announced a month long cease fire.

Shahidullah Shahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, made the announcement, on Saturday.

According to Shahid, the decision was made, "because of a positive response from the government, an appeal from the religious scholars and for the better future of Pakistan".

As part of the deal, Pakistan's government must work to end US drone strikes and begin implementing Shariah law.

The ceasefire is looked at as a major step forward by many.

However, the demands met of the government are not something they can do, so the ceasefire is merely a delay and an attempt by the Taliban to make themselves look willing to negotiate.

33 Killed in Mass Stabbing in China

Thirty-three people were killed and over one hundred injured in a mass attack on a Chinese railway station.

The incident happened in the southern city of Kunming, a regional hub.

Multiple knife wielding assailants rushed into the ticketing area and began stabbing at random.

Police have not released how many people were involved in the attack, but at least five suspects were shot and killed by police, while several more were detained.

Trains were rerouted to avoid the station, after the attack.

The Chinese government is calling the clearly preplanned and organized attack an act of terrorism.

No groups have claimed responsibility for the attack, however a full investigation is underway.

Unmarked Russian Speaking Armed Troops Take Control of Airports in Ukraine's Crimea

The crisis in Crimea continues to worsen causing strains on the relations between Ukraine and Russia.

On Friday, Russian speaking militias seized the airports in Sevastopol and Simferopol. They have also set up roadblocks and checkpoints along all of the roads, through the area. All of those in the airport appear to be extremely well armed and dressed in a military style, not that of a suddenly formed militia.

In other areas, including around the airport, more basically uniformed and armed groups were patrolling. Those groups proudly admit to being part of Crimea's militias, whereas those inside the airports refused to state who they belonged to. In some cases the admitted militias kept reporters from approaching the unidentified forces.

Unconfirmed reports state that Russian military helicopters landed at the Sevastopol airport and that Russian army trucks were seen moving from there towards Simferopol.

Ukraine's ambassador to the United Nations accused Russia of sending troops into the Crimea and demanded that there be no further incursions. Other members of the government went further stating that the militias were Russian troops in disguise.

Russia quickly denied that their troops had left their bases, near Sevastopol, which they rent from Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that while their troops are conducting maneuvers, they have not violated Ukraine's sovereignty.

Meanwhile, in Russia, the Federal Assembly passed a series of bills which make it easier for Russia to annex territory and simplified the process by which Ukrainian citizens could switch to a Russian citizenship.

Also on Friday, former president Viktor Yanukovych, who was ousted last Saturday, held a press conference in Rostov-on-Don, Russia. He reiterated his claims to still be Ukraine's president and pledged to fight until he reclaimed his rightful position.

Crimea's regional government is now calling itself an autonomous republic, and is said to be considering whether it should enforce that status upon the country, completely separate from Ukraine as it's own country, or separate and join Russia.

Concerns are growing that Russia is waiting for something to give them provocation for an invasion. Things in Crimea are approaching a very familiar series of events that Russia used as it's reasoning to invade the country of Georgia, "in the name of peace".

Ukraine Struggles With Crimea Separatism as Yanukovych Resurfaces in Russia

Gunmen stormed and took over government buildings in Simferopol, Crimea, Ukraine, on Thursday.

After taking control of the buildings they raised Russian flags in and around them as protesters joined them in the streets.

Crimea's regional parliament announced that a "referendum on greater autonomy" will be held on May 25, the same day as national elections.

Former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych, who is now hiding in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, reiterated his claims to still be president, despite having been voted out by Parliament after three months of protests against him.

He called upon all Ukrainians to resist those who overthrew him and help him regain his rightful position.

Meanwhile, Russian troops continued their military exercises just to the east of Ukraine and Russian jets flew over the border.

Ukraine's interim president, Oleksandr Turchynov, warned Russian troops based in Crimea to stay on their bases, saying, "Any movement of military servicemen with weapons outside this territory will be viewed as military aggression".

The interim government also stated that they will not allow for the country to be split.

At this time, they are still trying to figure out how to end the separatism protests, without seeing violence.

North Korea Launches 4 Missiles

North Korea launched four missiles, on Thursday, into the Sea of Japan.

All four landed in the middle of the sea, not harming or threatening anything.

They were short range missiles, which the North often launches as "tests".

The launches came while South Korea and the US hold joint military exercises, something North Korea always decries occurring.