Saturday, March 22, 2014

Ukraine Airman Injured as Russia Attacks Base

A Ukrainian airman was injured on Saturday, when Russian troops attacked two Ukrainian bases, in Crimea.

The Russian troops used armored vehicles to crash through the gates, firing stun grenades at Ukrainian troops, and firing live ammunition into the air.

They also detained the base's commander and took him away for "talks".

Ukraine has been attempting to find a way to safely evacuate their bases, in the region which Russia has stolen through force.

However it seems Russia is unwillingly to allow Ukraine time to do so, and is likely also trying to provoke a war.

If a war begins it would give Russia an excuse to roll into eastern Ukraine, if not the entire country.

While the international community is willing to put small sanctions against Russia, for it's criminal actions, they are not willing to defend Ukraine with their own troops.

35 Killed When Oil Truck Hits Buses in Pakistan

Thirty-five people were killed when an oil truck struck two buses near Hub, Balochistan, Pakistan.

Dozens more were injured in the crash and resulting fire.

The fire was made worse as both buses were carrying oil on their roofs.

It took fire fighters nearly two hours to control the flames.

Officials say that the truck driver was speeding and lost control of his vehicle.

North Korea Launches 30 Rockets

Once again North Korea fired off a series of rockets into the Sea of Japan.

Saturday's barrage involved thirty short range rockets.

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

None of the projectiles came near allied forces.

It is the fifth 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.

Friday, March 21, 2014

10 Missing After Hotel Fire in New Jersey Kills 4

Four people were killed in an early morning fire at the Mariner's Cove Motor Inn, in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey.

Another eight people were injured in Friday's blaze, including a deputy sheriff who was injured helping with the evacuation.

Officials say that another ten are missing.

It is unclear if the missing were even present, at the time of the incident.

An investigation is underway to determine what caused the fire.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Ukraine to Withdraw From Crimea After Russia's Troops Seize Naval Bases

Ukraine announced that it will withdraw their troops, from their bases in Crimea. They will also bring their families out with them.

The announcement came just hours after Russian troops forced their way into and seized two Ukrainian naval bases in Sevastopol, on Wednesday morning.

Both sets of events happened a day after pro Russian militias attacked a Ukrainian military base in Simferopol. That attack resulted in two deaths.

Sunday saw a vote pass for Crimea to leave Ukraine and join Russia. Russia praised it as a sign that Crimeans wished to rejoin Russia, bragging about it's ninety-seven percent yes votes. However, with only a fifty-six percent turnout it would seem the vote wasn't truly that successful.

The international community has condemned the vote, calling it illegal. Only Russia is accepting the vote as having any bases. Much of the world notes that as many as fifty thousand Russian troops were in Crimea, for the vote. It is also noted that pro Russian militias stationed themselves inside most polling posts.

Sanctions were announced, on Monday, by the US, Australia, EU, and other nations. However, the sanctions are severely limited and do nothing to make Russia even pause from keeping Crimea.

On Saturday, Russian forces went north of Crimea and seized the village of Strilkove for a time. They eventually pulled back, 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.

Ukraine has called up all of it's reserves, in case Russia attempts to push further into the country. Nearly two thousand Russian troops are setup right on the eastern border. Around two hundred thousand more are conducting maneuvers just a few hours further east. No military aid is expected from Europe, should Russia advance.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

2 Dead as News Helicopter Crashes in Seattle

A news helicopter in Seattle, Washington, crashed on Tuesday morning, while attempting to land at the KOMO news helipad.

It hit the ground, striking three vehicles and bursting into flames, near the Space Needle.

Both aboard the helicopter were killed, while the driver of one of the cars was severely injured and is in serious condition, with burns to much of his body.

Firefighters were able to contain the blaze and get the flames out.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

Ukraine Soldier Killed in Attack by Crimea Militia

On Tuesday, armed pro Russian militias attacked a Ukrainian military base in Simferopol. A Ukrainian soldier was killed, two more were injured, and a fourth was kidnapped. The incident marked the first military causality of the Crimea conflict.

In response to the attack, Ukraine's government authorized troops to fire their weapons in self defense. Previously, they had not been allowed to, as the country tried to avoid heightening tensions.

Sunday saw a vote pass for Crimea to leave Ukraine and join Russia. Russia praised it as a sign that Crimeans wished to rejoin Russia, bragging about it's ninety-seven percent yes votes. However, with only a fifty-six percent turnout it would seem the vote wasn't truly that successful.

The international community has condemned the vote, calling it illegal. Only Russia is accepting the vote as having any bases. Much of the world notes that as many as fifty thousand Russian troops were in Crimea, for the vote. It is also noted that pro Russian militias stationed themselves inside most polling posts.

Sanctions were announced, on Monday, by the US, EU, and other nations. However, the sanctions are severely limited and do nothing to make Russia even pause from keeping Crimea.

On Saturday, Russian forces went north of Crimea and seized the village of Strilkove for a time. They eventually pulled back, 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.

Ukraine has called up all of it's reserves, in case Russia attempts to push further into the country. Nearly two thousand Russian troops are setup right on the eastern border. Around two hundred thousand more are conducting maneuvers just a few hours further east. No military aid is expected from Europe, should Russia advance.

Suicide Bomber Kills 17 in Afghanistan

Seventeen people were killed when a suicide bomber struck in Afghanistan, on Tuesday.

Another thirty-six were wounded in the attack.

The bomber targeted a busy marketplace in Meymenah.

No groups have claimed responsibility for the attack.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

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.