IDF Strikes Back After Hamas Fires 90 Rockets at Israel

Members of Hamas fired at least ninety rockets out of the Gaza Strip at Israel, on Wednesday.

Five of the rockets struck in populated areas, but miraculously no one was hurt.

Israeli Defense Forces struck back, striking at twenty-nine locations used by Hamas.

Hamas launched the rockets in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike, on Tuesday, which was itself in response to rockets being launched.

2 More Dead in Protests in Turkey

Two more people fell victim to violence in Turkey as protests continued, on Wednesday.

Protests renewed, on Tuesday, after a fifteen year old died from wounds sustained in July.

At least thirty-two towns and cities are currently seeing protests.

Police are trying to put the protests down using tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets against the tens of thousands taking to the streets.

The protesters are demanding that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan resign and that police be punished for using excessive force.

Crimea Declares Independence From Ukraine as Russia's Troops Continue to Pour In

Crimea's parliament declared independence from Ukraine, on Tuesday, in a closed doors vote. On Sunday, they have set a referendum for the region to vote on whether or not to join Russia.

Ukraine's interim national government declared that Crimea's parliament is now dissolved and has no basis to make any decisions. Arrest warrants have already been put out for the leaders of the separatist movement.

However, it is unclear how Ukraine will enforce anything in Crimea with it under occupation by Russian forces. As many as fifty thousand Russian troops are now in the region, with two hundred and fifty thousand near Ukraine's eastern border.

On Tuesday, Ukraine announced the formation of a new National Guard, which will be compromised of their veteran troops and the best equipment. The government called upon the US, UK, and NATO to aid them militarily as they are outmatched by the Russian forces.

NATO did begin flying AWACs over the eastern borders of the alliances' territory. This allows them sight over Ukraine and part of southwest Russia to look for any attempts to send Russian troops into eastern Ukraine.

Russia continues to deny it is their troops in Crimea, noting that they do not have any kind of Russian insignia or unit markings, and claims that they are militia from within the Crimea. Despite their attempts at denial, it is clear they are Russian due to the numbers, weaponry, quality of training, and that they speak Russian. Various news sources have also caught them crossing over from Russia.

Monday saw the troops begin clearing out besieged Ukrainian bases, which had previously been disarmed. This continued on Tuesday, though they seem to be only taking over a couple bases per day. However, by the end of the week none of the bases will remain Ukrainian.

Militias are still maintaining a presence along the region's border, keeping international observers and everyday Ukrainians out. However, reports have come that in some cases they are kidnapping Ukrainian activists and reporters who attempt to cross over. In all known cases they were women in their twenties.

Zeidan Voted Out of Office After Tanker Escapes Libya

Zeidan

Ali Zeidan was voted out of office by Libya's parliament, on Tuesday.

Zeidan had been prime minister, but the escape of an oil tanker from a rebel port was the end to his holding the position.

The tanker had made it to the port of Sidra, a rebel held port, on Saturday.

It was there loaded with oil and on Tuesday morning made for open waters, despite threats by Libya to blow it up.

Libyan gun ships shot at the tanker, damaging it, but were unable to stop it from escaping into the Mediterranean Sea.

Hours later, parliament pushed through a vote of no confidence in Zeidan, for his handling of the situation.

7 Hamas Members Killed in Exchange of Fire With Israel

Seven members of Hamas were killed on Tuesday, in the Gaza Strip.

Members of the terrorist organization fired mortars at Israeli Defense Forces, across the border.

Israel responded with air strikes, which targeted the locations the mortars came from.

Three Hamas fighters were killed in the strikes.

Hours later four more members of Hamas were killed while trying to assemble bombs, to be used against Israel. 

Russia Begins Clearing Out Ukraine's Bases in Crimea

On Monday, Russian forces forced their way into several Ukrainian bases, in Crimea. Once there they forced out Ukrainian forces who had been staying at their posts, even after being previously disarmed.

Soldiers on the remaining bases are feeling abandoned by the Ukrainian government. They have been besieged by Russian forces since February 28.

Pro Ukraine rallies took place for a second day, in various parts of Crimea. Police protected them from groups of Pro Russian militias. The militias and their supporters had attacked some of the rallies, on Sunday.

Militias are still maintaining a presence along the region's border, keeping international observers and everyday Ukrainians out. However, reports have come that in some cases they are kidnapping Ukrainian activists and reporters who attempt to cross over. In all known cases they were women in their twenties.

Ukraine's interim government passed warrants for the leaders of the separatist government in Crimea. The separatist leaders have pushed through a referendum on leaving Ukraine and joining Russia, which is set to take place on Sunday, March 9. Governments around the world have joined Ukraine in condemning the referendum.

Russia continues to move more unmarked troops into Crimea, while denying that they are theirs. NATO has announced that they will maintain an AWAC watch over the eastern borders of alliance countries. That watch will also give them sight over Ukraine and part of southwest Russia to look for any attempts to send Russian troops into eastern Ukraine.

Fighting Breaks Out During Competing Rallies in Ukraine

Competing rallies in Crimea led to clashes, on Sunday.

Citizens across Ukraine rallied to celebrate the two hundredth birthday of Taras Shevchenko, an ardent nationalist and Ukrainian poet.

In Crimea, they were countered by rallies by proRussian groups, leading to arguing, pushing matches, and in some cases fighting.

Police in Simferopol kept the two sides apart, while in Sevastopol the proRussians attacked the proUkrainians with whips.

A referendum has been set for Sunday, March 16, in which Crime's government plans to let the people decide whether to join Russia or not.

The vote is being prepared while around thirty thousand Russian troops besiege Ukrainian forces, in the region.

Ukraine's government has been joined by much of the world in decrying the "invasion" and calling the referendum illegal.

However, as no one is willing to back up Ukraine, militarily, there may be nothing that can be done to keep Russia from keeping the area.

International objection did keep Russia from sending troops into more of Ukraine.

International Observers Fired Upon in Crimea

International observers were fired upon, on Saturday, as they attempted to enter Armyansk, Ukraine, in the Crimea region. The observers belonged to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, or OSCE.

No one was hurt in the incident, but it was a clear warning that the controllers of Crimea will not allow international access. For now, the observers have fallen back, and are waiting for things to calm down before deciding to try again.

As many as thirty thousand Russian troops have crossed into Crimea, ensuring that Ukraine is unable to take the region back. Russia still denies that the troops are theirs, and they are unmarked, but they carry Russian equipment, speak Russian, and have been seen crossing the straight from Russia.

Inside Crimea, Ukrainian troops maintain positions on their bases, but are besieged by the unmarked Russian troops as well as pro Russian militias. In several cases the Ukrainian troops have been harassed by Russian forces that Russia says aren't there.

Officials in the Crimea plan a referendum, to decide if they should join Russia or not. However, the referendum has been deemed illegal by Ukraine, the EU, and the UN.

Ukraine and the international community continue to speak out against this "invasion", demanding that Russia withdraw. However, other than sanctions nothing has been done or threatened. It seems that the world can not stop Russia from taking over Crimea, without going to war with Russia.

Libya Threatens to Bomb Ship From North Korea

Libya has threatened to bomb a North Korean flagged oil tanker if it leaves the port of Sidra with oil.

Sidra is controlled by rebel forces and the government does not want the international community dealing with them.

The Morning Glory docked in Sidra, on Saturday, and is reportedly being filled with oil.

In January, a Libyan navy vessel fired warning shots at a Maltese flagged vessel which attempted to dock there.

No one is currently claiming ownership of the ship, leaving Libya with no one to complain to.

They promise to destroy her if she leaves port with a cargo.

Jet From India Catches Fire Upon Landing in Nepal

IndiGo Airlines 6E031 caught fire when it landed in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Saturday.

Upon landing the tires on the right side of the plane caught fire, spewing smoke.

Ground crews were able to put a stop to the fire.

All one hundred and seventy-eight people aboard the Airbus 320 were evacuated safely.

An investigation is underway to determine what caused the tires to burst into flames.