Ukrainian PM: Crimea referendum will not be recognised
Crimea’s proposed referendum to join Russia will not be recognised, according to Ukraine’s interim prime minister, Arseny Yatseniuk. The denouncement comes after the US and EU put forward a series of sanctions facing Russia and the Crimea region if they continue to separate Crimea from Ukraine.
US President Barack Obama told the press that the sanctions, primarily visa band and asset freezes for key individuals, demonstrated the US and EU’s commitment to “standing up for the principle of state sovereignty”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin defended Russia’s actions in a statement overnight saying: “Russia cannot ignore calls for help in this matter and it acts accordingly, in full compliance with the international law.”
Crimea’s referendum is scheduled for March 16.
Ukrainian team protest at Sochi Paralympic Opening Ceremony
The Ukrainian Paralympic team has sent a sole flagbearer to the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Paralympics. Biathlete Mykhaylo Tkachenko was the only representative from the Ukrainian team present at the ceremony, in a move widely being viewed as a protest against Russia’s movement in Ukraine’s Crimea Peninsula.
At a press conference earlier in the day, the Ukrainian team said that they would remain in the games, provided that Russia maintained peace in their movement into Ukraine. It is expected that the full Ukrainian team will still compete at the games.
Pistorius’s ex-girlfriend says he carried gun “all the time”
Oscar Pistorius’s ex-girlfriend has said that the he carried a gun “all the time” and fired it through the roof of a car after an argument with a police officer. Giving evidence at Pistorius’s trial, Samantha Taylor recounted the September 2012 incident, in which Pistorius shot the car. Taylor stopped dating Pistorius two months later, after he allegedly cheated on her with Reeva Steenkamp, who he is accused of murdering on February 14 2013.
Turnbull commissions fifth NBN audit
Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull has commissioned his fifth audit into Australia’s National Broadband Network (NBN) since coming to office last September. The new enquiry will investigate the creation of NBN Co, the builder of the network. NBN Co is currently also subject to a review by auditors KordaMentha.
Teacher arrested following child porn discovery
A NSW primary school teacher has been charged following the discovery of child abuse material in his Blue Mountains home. Police raided the 41-year-old man’s home after receiving a tip-off. He was granted bail to appear in the local court on March 27.
Michael Schumacher’s condition reportedly worsens
There are fears for seven-time Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher after his family were reportedly told that “only a miracle” would keep him alive. According to The Telegraph UK, sources close to the family have said that the 45-year-old’s condition has deteriorated greatly, leading doctors to say that “only a miracle can bring him back now”. Schumacher suffered a brain haemorrhage following a ski accident in December last year.
Dalai Lama gives opening prayer in US Senate
The Dalai Lama delivered the opening prayer in the US Senate on Thursday. The exiled spiritual leader of Tibet prefaced his speech by saying that this was his “favourite prayer” before praying “to Buddha and all” for purity of thought to guide humanity’s actions.
Tinder partners with Amnesty International for International Women’s Day
In a most unlikely partnership, dating app Tinder has partnered with Amnesty International in an initiative for International Women’s Day. Tinder users are being asked to log onto the app and show their support for gender equality through downloading Amnesty’s Tinder profiles, which include messages such as ‘not all women have the choices you do”. The campaign hopes to raise awareness of forced marriage across the world, and make women appreciate the sexual freedom that they enjoy in Australia.
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Mamma Mia where have you been ?