EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels are discussing the bloc’s response, including imposing a visa ban and an asset freeze against a number of Russian officials following Crimea’s controversial referendum on Sunday. According to Crimean officials, Sunday’s referendum overwhelmingly backed leaving Ukraine. Ukraine’s chief electoral official, Mikhail Malyshev, said the vote was nearly 97% in… Continue reading Crimea referendum: EU and US to impose sanctions against Russia
Year: 2014
Crimea parliament declares independence from Ukraine
Crimean parliament has formally declared independence from Ukraine and asked to join the Russian Federation. The move follows Sunday’s controversial referendum which officials say overwhelmingly backed joining Russia. The government in Kiev has said it will not recognize the results. The US and EU say the vote was illegal and have vowed to impose sanctions… Continue reading Crimea parliament declares independence from Ukraine
Vigorous exercise each week cuts flu risk
A new research suggests that doing at least two and a half hours of vigorous exercise each week cuts the chance of developing flu. Around 4,800 people took part in this year’s online Flu Survey, run by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Moderate exercise did not appear to have a protective effect,… Continue reading Vigorous exercise each week cuts flu risk
El Salvador presidential elections 2014: Salvador Sanchez Ceren’s victory confirmed
Left-wing rebel Salvador Sanchez Ceren’s victory in a tight presidential run-off election has been confirmed by El Salvador’s electoral court. The electoral court said Salvador Sanchez Ceren won 50.11% of the votes in the March 9 poll, defeating conservative candidate Norman Quijano, who polled 49.89%. Norman Quijano had challenged the result, alleging fraud. The court’s… Continue reading El Salvador presidential elections 2014: Salvador Sanchez Ceren’s victory confirmed
Crimea referendum final results: 96.6% of voters backed joining Russia
Crimea referendum showed support for a split from Ukraine with election officials saying that 96.6% of voters backed joining Russia. The government in Kiev described the vote as a “circus performance” and said it would not recognize the result. The EU and US say the referendum was illegal, but Russia says it was consistent with… Continue reading Crimea referendum final results: 96.6% of voters backed joining Russia
Flight MH370: Australia takes control of southern vector search
Australia is taking control of the “southern vector” search for the missing Malaysian Airlines jet, Australian PM Tony Abbott says. According to Malaysian officials, flight MH370 was intentionally diverted and could have flown on either a northern or southern arc from its last known position. More than 20 nations have been asked to help search… Continue reading Flight MH370: Australia takes control of southern vector search
Paris pollution: Police monitor traffic as car ban starts
Police will monitor traffic in Paris on Monday after pollution levels prompted the French government to impose major restrictions. Only motorists whose cars have odd-numbered registration plates will be allowed to drive. On Tuesday, if the restrictions remain in place, it will be the turn of those with even-numbered plates. Ministers acted after air pollution… Continue reading Paris pollution: Police monitor traffic as car ban starts
Chile: 6.7 earthquake strikes offshore Tarapaca
A 6.7-magnitude earthquake hit off the northern coast of Chile on Sunday evening, prompting a brief evacuation of part of a coastal area but not causing any injuries or significant damage. The strong quake – originally measured as a 7.0 – was centered 37 miles west-northwest of Iquique and struck at a depth of 12.4… Continue reading Chile: 6.7 earthquake strikes offshore Tarapaca
How to make St Patrick’s Day green beer in three steps
You can show your St. Patrick’s Day spirit by drinking an ice-cold mug of green beer. 1. Choose a light colored beer. You can make darker beer green, but it requires so much food coloring that your teeth will turn green. 2. Squirt 4 – 6 drops of green food coloring in the bottom of… Continue reading How to make St Patrick’s Day green beer in three steps
St Patrick’s Day cupcakes recipe
St Patrick’s Day cupcakes Ingredients: 1 (18.25 ounce) package white cake mix 1 1/4 cups water 1/3 cup vegetable oil 3 egg whites 8 drops red food coloring 2 drops raspberry candy oil Directions: Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a standard muffin tin with paper cupcake liners. Beat the… Continue reading St Patrick’s Day cupcakes recipe
Crimea referendum results: 95.5% of voters back joining Russia after half ballots counted
After half the votes have been counted, some 95.5% of voters in Crimea have supported joining Russia in a disputed referendum, officials announce. Crimea’s leader Sergei Aksyonov says he will apply to join Russia on Monday. Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he will respect the Crimean people’s wishes. Many Crimeans loyal to Kiev boycotted… Continue reading Crimea referendum results: 95.5% of voters back joining Russia after half ballots counted
Duck Dynasty stars to feature Accuform workplace safety signs
Florida-based safety sign company Accuform Signs has teamed up with the A&E television network to create a new line of Duck Dynasty-inspired workplace safety signs meant to catch the attention of employees. The company has signed a two-year licensing deal with the A&E to use characters from the Duck Dynasty reality show on their products.… Continue reading Duck Dynasty stars to feature Accuform workplace safety signs
Flight MH370: 25 countries helping Malaysia in complex search
Twenty five countries are now involved in a vast search operation for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 that disappeared over a week ago, Malaysian officials say. The search area – from central Asia to the southern Indian Ocean – takes in large tracts of land and sea. An already complex search operation has become… Continue reading Flight MH370: 25 countries helping Malaysia in complex search
John Luke Robertson attends SLE Rodeo 2014 in Montgomery
Duck Dynasty’s John Luke Robertson attended the annual Southeastern Livestock Exposition (SLE) Rodeo at the Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, Alabama. John Luke Robertson, 18, spoke with attendees prior to the rodeo’s start, took part in a meet-and-greet and participated in the opening ceremonies with his sister, Sadie Robertson, during Saturday’s matinee performance. While speaking with… Continue reading John Luke Robertson attends SLE Rodeo 2014 in Montgomery
Alibaba announces plans for US flotation
Online retailer Alibaba Group has announced plans for a flotation in the US. The Chinese e-commerce giant said the move will make it “a more global company”. The move had been widely predicted by analysts, who expect it to be the biggest share offering by a tech firm since Facebook’s flotation in 2012. They predict… Continue reading Alibaba announces plans for US flotation
Venice referendum on splitting from Italy
Venice and the surrounding region are voting on whether to break away from Italy. Recent opinion polls suggest that two thirds of the 4 million electorate favor splitting from Rome, but the vote will not be legally binding. The poll was organized by local activists and parties, who want a future state called Republic of… Continue reading Venice referendum on splitting from Italy
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard celebrate engagement with intimate party in LA
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard celebrated their engagement with an intimate party in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. According to Us Weekly, Johnny Depp, 50, and Amber Heard, 27, enjoyed a party at The Carondelet House. They reportedly arrived an hour after guests, which included Marilyn Manson, Steven Tyler, Mandy Moore, Pirates of the Caribbean… Continue reading Johnny Depp and Amber Heard celebrate engagement with intimate party in LA
Chris Brown arrested at rehab centre
Chris Brown has been reportedly arrested at the rehab centre where he was being treated in California. Whilst the exact details are not known, Chris Brown was discharged from the facility for failing to comply with its rules and regulations. Chris Brown was then taken to a Los Angeles jail where he’ll stay until a… Continue reading Chris Brown arrested at rehab centre
Future Music Festival 2014: Kuala Lumpur final day cancelled after death at event
The Future Music Festival final day has been cancelled in Malaysia following a death at the event. Acts including Rudimental, Eric Prydz and Pharrell Williams were due to perform in Kuala Lumpur. Organizers say they have taken local authorities’ advice to not proceed with Day 3 of the festival. Details of who died are not… Continue reading Future Music Festival 2014: Kuala Lumpur final day cancelled after death at event
Nicolas Maduro urges US to discuss peace and sovereignty in a high level commission
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has urged the US to discuss “peace and sovereignty” in a high level commission mediated by the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR). Nicolas Maduro also asked President Barack Obama not to heed US factions that he says want to kill him. Venezuela blames the US for the anti-government protests that… Continue reading Nicolas Maduro urges US to discuss peace and sovereignty in a high level commission
Nigeria jobseeker stampede turns deadly in Abuja stadium
A stampede among jobseekers taking a recruitment test in the national stadium in Nigeria’s capital Abuja has left at least seven people dead and many others injured. A journalist for AFP news agency said he had counted seven corpses. The stampede came during a recruitment exercise by the immigration department. Tens of thousands had turned… Continue reading Nigeria jobseeker stampede turns deadly in Abuja stadium
Slovakia presidential election 2014: Robert Fico and Andrej Kiska go to second round
Slovakia’s PM Robert Fico and independent challenger Andrej Kiska will run for a second round of the country’s presidential elections. In Saturday’s first round, Robert Fico polled 28.2% with Andrej Kiska on 24% on a turnout of 43.4%. Independent conservative Radoslav Prochazka was third with 20.8%. As no candidate gained 50% of the votes, a… Continue reading Slovakia presidential election 2014: Robert Fico and Andrej Kiska go to second round
Missing flight MH370 pilots Zaharie Ahmad Shah and Fariq Abdul Hamid investigated
The Kuala Lumpur homes of the two pilots of missing Malaysia Airlines plane that vanished on March 8 with 239 people on board are being searched by police. Malaysian police are also reportedly looking at the family life and psychological state of pilot Zaharie Ahmad Shah, 53, and co-pilot Fariq Abdul Hamid, 27. This comes… Continue reading Missing flight MH370 pilots Zaharie Ahmad Shah and Fariq Abdul Hamid investigated
Crimea: Polling stations opened in secession referendum
People in Ukraine’s region Crimea are voting on whether or not to re-join Russia in a referendum condemned as “illegal” by Kiev and the West but backed by Moscow. Russian troops have taken de facto control of the majority ethnic-Russian region, and voters are expected to support leaving Ukraine. Crimean Tatars are boycotting the vote,… Continue reading Crimea: Polling stations opened in secession referendum
Paris pollution prompts alternative driving days introduction
Paris is introducing alternative driving days in an attempt to tackle dangerous levels of air pollution. From Monday, drivers will only be able to use their vehicles every other day. This is only the second time since 1997 that such a restriction has been enforced. The French government made the decision after air pollution exceeded… Continue reading Paris pollution prompts alternative driving days introduction