Crimea Votes to Leave Ukraine and Join Russia

On Sunday, Crimea voted to leave Ukraine and join Russia.

Ninety-five percent of the votes cast recorded a yes, though turnout was only at fifty-six percent.

Many Crimeans considered the outcome fixed and so didn't bother trying to vote against it.

Witnesses also tell us that pro Russian militias were stationed inside of many polling stations.

The vote has been called illegal by Ukraine and much of the international community.

However, with as many as fifty thousand Russian troops, in Crimea, there's little that can be done to keep the vote from counting.

Russia is finally admitting that it is their troops in Crimea, though they are staying a much lower number than has been witnessed.

Their acknowledgement comes after Russian forces went north of Crimea and seized the village of Strilkove for a time, on Saturday.

The Russian troops eventually withdrew from most of the village, but set up shop around and inside the village's natural gas production buildings.

Ukrainian troops have since made entrenchments and other defense inside the village to block any further Russian incursions.

North Korea Fires 18 Rockets During US and South Korea Maneuvers

North Korea fired eighteen rockets into the sea, on Sunday.

The "tests" took place while the US and South Korea are conducting maneuvers.

None of the projectiles came near allied forces.

It is the fourth time during the maneuvers that North Korea has fired weaponry.

They conduct the "tests" as a form of protest against the US's continued support of South Korea.

Dole Italian Blend Salad Recalled

Dole has announced a recall of their Italian Blend salad.

The recall is being made due to a possible listeria contamination.

Ten ounce salad bags sold in Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick, with a best before date of 14-MR-12 are under the recall.

Other products are considered fine and are not being recalled.

At this time, there have been no reports of illness in connection with eating the salad.

900,000 Honda Odyssey Minivans Recalled

Nearly nine hundred thousand Honda Odysseys have been recalled.

A fuel pump could crack and leak fuel, which could cause a fire.

Models from 2005 to 2010 are included in the recall.

The recall effects vans built at the Linclon, Alabama plant from June 23, 2004 to September 4, 2010.

Honda will contact customers in April, and then inspect and replace fuel pumps for free.

Clashes Leave 2 Dead in Kharkiv as Russia's Troops Enter Mainland Ukraine

For the second time in two days competing protests turned violent and deadly in eastern Ukraine. Two people were killed when pro Russian groups attacked a pro Ukrainian rally, in Kharkiv. At least two dozen more were injured in the incident.

Protests from both sides have taken place for the past couple weeks. On Saturday, they were joined by protests in Russia itself. Tens of thousands marched in Moscow, in protest of their government's occupation of Crimea.

For two weeks, Russian troops have controlled Crimea. With as many as fifty thousand in the region. Several thousand more have placed themselves on the eastern border, while at least two hundred thousand more conduct maneuvers a few hours away.

On Saturday, eighty Russian troops backed by armored vehicles and helicopters moved north into mainland Crimea and seized the village of Strilkove. The move was countered by Ukrainian forces, but not in time to keep the village from falling. It was the first time that Russia openly admitted that the forces in Crimea are theirs.

Ukraine and Russia are still not technically in a state of war. Russia says their forces are there to protect ethnic Russians, in the region. They are also threatening to invade eastern Ukraine, for the same purposes. Ukraine continues to promise to defend it's territory, but they are severely out gunned and are understandably reluctant to enter into a war they can't win. However, as Russia continues to push Ukraine's leadership is under increasing pressure to defend the country.

International condemnation of the occupation of Crimea continues. The US, EU, and other countries have pledged to sanction Russia for it's actions. However, other than NATO patrolling it's eastern borders with AWACs no military response is likely to be seen from other nations.

Tens of Thousands Protest in Moscow Against Crimea Occupation

Tens of thousands protested in Moscow against their country's occupation of Crimea.

The rally, led by opposition leaders, was the largest in over a year.

Meanwhile, near the Kremlin, a few thousand showed up to support the occupation.

Some there called for Russia to invade the rest of Ukraine and bring the entire country into Russia.

As many as fifty thousand Russian troops have taken control of Crimea, where tomorrow a vote is to be held on whether the region should leave Ukraine and join Russia.

Another twenty thousand Russian troops have set up along the border, with Ukraine, while two hundred thousand more are involved in maneuvers a couple hours from the border.

Syria's Civil War Reaches Third Anniversary

As Syria's civil war hits it's third anniversary, fighting continues going strong.

As many as two hundred and fifty thousand people have been killed, with two million displaced.

With the Assad regime on one side and two different main rebel groups, which fight each other as well, the war does not look to have an end coming any time soon.
Peace talks still have not achieved anything substantial in the three way civil war.

However, some forward motion has been noted, as earlier in 2014, for the first time refugees were allowed out of besieged cities, as two of the sides attempt to improve their humanitarian face.

International focus continues to wain as time goes on and other events distract from it.

Malaysia's Prime Minister Declares Flight 370's Disappearance Was Deliberate

In a press conference, on Saturday, Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak declared that the disappearance of Flight 370 was deliberate.

The plane disappeared from radar, last Saturday morning, and was never heard from again.

No distress call was ever received, nor has any wreckage been found.

Investigators were able to track the plane using satellites, for a time, even after it left radar, but were not able to determine where it ended up.

Officials from the US, Britain, and elsewhere in the world aided Malaysia in their investigation.

Razak stated that, "Evidence is consistent with someone acting deliberately from inside the plane".

It is believed that someone purposefully disable the plane's transponder, which helps track the plane.

Flight 370 would have had enough fuel to fly on for seven more hours, after it disappeared.

Authorities believe that it's most likely route was south into the Indian Ocean, as other routes would have put it in range of radar systems that would have picked it up.

Two hundred and thirty-nine people were aboard the plane.

GM Recalls 1.6 Million Vehicles

General Motors has announced a massive recall of over one and a half million vehicles.

Faulty ignition switches could turn off the ignition, while the vehicles are being driven.

Airbags could also be disabled by the faulty switches.

The recall covers 2005-07 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-07 Chevrolet HHR, 2007 Pontiac G5, 2006-07 Pontiac Solstice, 2003-07 Saturn Ion, and 2007 Saturn Sky.

Dealers will inspect and replaces faulty switches for free.

Donetsk Clashes Leave 2 Dead in Ukraine as Russia Masses Troops at The Border

Violent clashes took place in Donestk, Ukraine, Thursday night, between pro Russian and pro Ukrainian groups. Two people were killed and at least twenty-eight injured in the fighting. Witnesses say that the pro Russian groups started the fighting.

Russia is once again saying it will move troops into Eastern Ukraine, to "protect ethnic Russians from the violence". They have warned Ukraine's military to stand down and not interfere, should they cross the border.

Over two hundred thousand troops are conducting maneuvers not far from the border. On Thursday,  some of the units came right up to the border and parked, making it clear they are prepared to cross. Ukraine has promised to defend itself against any further Russian intrusions.

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. 

Around fifty thousand Russian troops have already occupied Crimea. The region has since declared itself independent from Ukraine and is holding a referendum, on Sunday, to decide whether or not to join Russia.

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.

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.