Russia Shows Its Muscle As Crimea Breaks Away

Whatever the government in Ukraine says or does, events on the ground suggest that Crimea has already for all intents and purposes broken away; certainly Kiev's orders no longer stretch as far as this region.

Unidentified gunmen have taken over the parliament and the region's main airports in the space of twenty four hours.

They would not answer when I questioned them and asked if they had been sent by Moscow.

In many ways it did not matter - their appearance pretty much gave the game away.

They carried Kalashnikovs, they spoke Russian and their combat fatigues looked suspiciously like Russian issue - albeit without insignia.

The way they moved and patrolled the airports suggested too that this was no dad's army but a well-trained unit doing a professional job.

At times as they stomped up and down ostentatiously it seemed as though they were there just for the cameras.

It was perhaps a signal from the Kremlin that it could put its men on the ground whenever it wanted and there was nothing anyone else could do.

It was a projection of power and reach.

Elsewhere images were captured of Russian helicopters flying into the airport at Sevastopol: yet another direct challenge to the authority of the government in Kiev.

The acting interior minister called the action an invasion and an occupation.

Moscow denies that it has violated Ukrainian sovereignty - officially at least it says it respects its neighbour's borders.

But the pro-European government setting itself up in Kiev is seen as a threat by Moscow.

Ukraine has always been viewed by the Russian ruling elite as part of its sphere of influence.

Moscow may have lost the Western part of Ukraine (for now?) but you can bet it will not allow the same thing to happen in the south and the eastern parts of the country.

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Pistorius 'In Love' With Reeva: Exclusive

Reeva Steenkamp: The Girl Behind The Name

Updated: 2:00pm UK, Friday 28 February 2014

Reeva Steenkamp was born in the South African city of Cape Town in August 1983, to horse trainer Barry Steenkamp and his second wife, June.

The family later moved to Port Elizabeth where she and her siblings grew up.

She attended St Dominic's Priory High School and, at the age of 15, entered a beauty competition organised through her local newspaper where she was spotted by the paper's then beauty editor, Barbara Robertson

"She was 15, and a young 15," Ms Robertson told Sky News.

"There was nothing sophisticated about her. She was sweet, down to earth, earthy ... just one of those girls who had the 'it' factor ... a little bit (of an) early Kate Moss."

While friends speak of an ultimate desire to marry and have a family, the young woman always expected to enjoy a career of her own.

She took a law degree in case her modelling career did not work out.

But the modelling side took off and the gauche, unsophisticated girl from Port Elizabeth moved on to Johannesburg to seek her success.

Originally a brunette, Steenkamp dyed her hair blonde and soon after broke into the glossy world of magazine modelling.

She made the cover of FHM but, said Ms Robertson, the model remained true to herself.

"The front pages made out she was this brazen blonde with boobs hanging out," she said in an interview with The Guardian.

"She was more than a model. She was Reeva. She had studied law at university. I don't think she was seeking bright lights and fame and fortune.

"She was spreading her wings. If she got noticed, what's wrong with that? It doesn't make her a celeb-seducer."

While she continued modelling and was popular on South Africa's A-list circuit, Steenkamp's legal ambitions appeared to resurface.

The future looked bright as she applied to the Bar in 2011, hoping to qualify as a legal advocate by 2013.

Her TV career also looked promising, with a part in a reality TV show Tropika Island of Treasure that looked likely to lead to further opportunities in her professional life.

In November 2012, she began going out with Oscar Pistorius and the couple were said to be deeply in love.

Three months later, Reeva Steenkamp was dead.

:: Sky News will have live coverage of the trial from Monday, with a special highlights programme at 9.30pm.

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Obama Warns Russia Against Crimea Invasion

US President Barack Obama has warned Moscow that any military intervention in Ukraine would be "deeply destabilising", as Kiev claims Russian troops have invaded.

He said: "The United States will stand with the international community in affirming that there will be costs for any military intervention in Ukraine.

"We are now deeply concerned by reports of military movements taken by the Russian Federation inside of Ukraine."

US officials say Mr Obama may cancel plans to attend the G8 summit in June if it is proved that Russia has sent troops into Crimea.

Men claiming to be members of a local militia at a checkpoint

Russian President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to host the economic meeting in Sochi, the site of the recent Winter Olympics.

The administration official said the US was in discussions about the summit with European partners, adding that it was difficult to see how leaders would attend if Russia had forces in Crimea.

The US has also warned that discussions on deepening trade ties with Moscow may be halted in response to any Russian aggression.

Mr Obama's warnings come after Ukraine's Acting President appealed to Russia to stop "naked aggression" in the Crimean peninsula amid claims from Kiev 2,000 Russian troops have invaded.

Oleksandr Turchynov said: "I personally appeal to President Putin to immediately stop military provocation and to withdraw from the Autonomous Republic of Crimea ... It's a naked aggression against Ukraine."

After unrest in Kiev, tensions have shifted to the Crimea region

Speaking after a private meeting at the United Nations, Ukraine's ambassador to the UN, Yuriy Sergeyev, said there was an "external presence" in Crimea "encouraging separatism".

He added he had told the council about "unspecified and armed forces of the Russian Federation on the territory of Ukraine".

US officials have told Fox News they see "evidence of air and maritime movement into and out of Crimea by Russian forces".

When asked about the claims, Russia's envoy to the United Nations, Vitaly Churkin, said Moscow was complying with agreements with Ukraine.

Russia denies being behind the seizure of the airports

The pro-Russian prime minister of Crimea Sergei Aksenov, has appealed to Russia for help in keeping the peace there, and claimed control of all military, police and other security services in the region.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague will visit the country on Sunday and hold talks with Ukraine's new leaders.

Earlier on Friday, armed forces seized two airports in the region, but Moscow denies being behind the takeovers.

Ukrainian security sources claim they have regained control of Simferopol and Sevastopol airports amid earlier reports Russian forces tried to seize them.

Armed men were seen patrolling the perimeter at Simferopol, a civilian airport, and there were also reports Russian forces were blocking Sevastopol's military airport.

Despite the claims from Kiev, a military source quoted by the Interfax news agency said the armed men at Sevastopol had extended their control by taking over the runway.

Ukraine's State Border Guard Service said about 30 Russian marines from the country's Black Sea Fleet had taken up position outside the coast guard base in Sevastopol.

Moscow has said armoured vehicles were moving around Crimea for "security reasons".

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US and EU Urged To Halt Weapon Sales To Israel

By Tom Rayner, Middle East News Editor

Amnesty International has called on the US and EU governments to suspend all supplies of crowd-control "weapons and devices" to Israel, until the country reigns in its use of force against Palestinians on the West Bank.

In the report "Trigger Happy: Israel's Use of Excessive Force on the West Bank", the organisation criticises what it calls Israel's "callous disregard for human life" in its handling of Palestinian protests against occupation.

It points to an increase in the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces - with 27 people killed last year, in comparison to eight in 2012 and 10 in 2011, according to figures from the UN.

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) say the report "wholly ignores the substantial increase in Palestinian violence initiated over the past year".

However, Amnesty International claims in all the cases it investigated, it found no evidence to suggest those killed were posing a "direct and immediate threat" to the lives of the Israeli forces - a key criteria in the UN Basic Principles of the Use of Force and Firearms.

Amnesty's Middle East and North Africa Director Philip Luther said the failure to properly investigate and punish such acts means those responsible were acting with impunity.

"The report presents a body of evidence that shows a harrowing pattern of unlawful killings and unwarranted injuries of Palestinian civilians by Israeli forces in the West Bank.

"If the Israeli authorities wish to prove to the world they are committed to democratic principles and international human rights standards, unlawful killings and unnecessary use of force must stop now.

"The current Israeli system has proved woefully inadequate. It is neither independent nor impartial and completely lacks transparency."

Palestinian-Israeli clashes in Jenin in the West Bank

One case highlighted is that of 16-year-old Samir Awad, from the village of Bordrus near Ramallah, who was shot dead last January.

Accounts collected by Amnesty suggest he had walked into the "no man's land" near the separation barrier which runs through the village, as part of a protest with school friends.

When soldiers shouted at him and fired warning shots in the air the teenager started to run away, but he was hit by three bullets in the leg, shoulder and then in the back of the head.

He was pronounced dead 40 minutes after arriving at Ramallah Hospital.

At the time Israeli media reported statements from a military spokesman claiming force had been used to prevent an "infiltration attempt".

The office of the Military Advocate General opened an investigation, and requested Military Police conduct further inquiries, but as yet the findings have not been released.

Amnesty claims that since 2011 the Military Police Criminal Investigation Division has opened investigations into 24 Palestinians killed in 20 different incidents, but only one so far has resulted in prosecution and conviction of a soldier for unlawful killing.

The report claims the case of Samir Awad is just one example of forces resorting to lethal or less lethal means to crack down on protests and "low-level violence", such as stone-throwing, when there was no direct threat to the lives of the soldiers involved.

Among its recommendations, the report calls on Western governments, including EU member states, to stop sending crowd-control equipment, such as tear gas, stun grenades and rubber-coated metal bullets to Israel, until steps are taken to "achieve accountability for previous violations" and "effective mechanisms" are established to ensure against further violations.

"This recommendation is particular relevant to the USA" the report states, "as the largest foreign source of supply of weapons, munitions, police equipment and military aid to Israel."

The US State Department said they would not comment on the report at this time.

The West Bank was captured by Israel in the Six Day War in 1967

Last year, following the deaths of two young people in the Bethlehem area, the UK government made representations to the Israeli authorities regarding what it described as its "longstanding concerns about the manner in which the IDF polices non-violent protests and the border areas, including use of live ammunition".

Responding to Amnesty's latest report, a spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office said: "To date, we have no evidence of the use of UK manufactured munitions, weapons, or related equipment by the Israeli military forces to commit or facilitate violations of international human rights law or international humanitarian law.

"We will continue to monitor the situation carefully, and ensure that all our licensing decisions remain consistent with our human rights commitments and all applicable criteria.

"We continue to call on Israel to abide by its obligations under international law, including the appropriate use of force by Israeli military forces."

In a statement, a spokesperson for the IDF accused Amnesty of ignoring the "operational challenges" faced by its forces in "containing Palestinian-incited violence" in the West Bank.

"2013 saw a sharp increase in rock hurling incidents, gravely jeopardising the lives of civilians and military personnel.

"132 Israelis were injured during that year alone, almost double the year previous, which is no surprise considering that over 5,000 incidents of rock hurling took place, half of which were towards main roads.

"Sadly, rock throwing and violent demonstrations present only part of the operational challenges posed to the IDF by Palestinian violence in Judea and Samaria. 

"Indeed in 2013 there were 66 further terror attacks which included shootings, the planting of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices), blunt weapon attacks and the abduction and murder of a soldier."

"The IDF holds itself to the highest of professional standards and trains and equips itself as such. When there is any suspicion of wrong doing, or breach of discipline, the IDF reviews, investigates and takes action where appropriate."

The report concludes by calling on Israel to swiftly implement the recommendations of the Israeli-appointed Turkel Committee - which investigated the IDF's deadly sea raid on the Turkish Mavi Marmara ship in 2010, as it tried to break the maritime blockade of Gaza.

The Turkel Committee concluded that "direct criminal responsibility" should be put on commanders and civilian superiors for violations of law committed by subordinates, and recommended judicial investigations into such incidents should be conducted independently of the military's own operational investigations.

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Nasa Telescope Finds 'Mother Lode' Of Planets

Nasa's planet-hunting Kepler telescope has discovered more than 700 new worlds outside the solar system.

Scientists say the latest results push the number of planets discovered in the galaxy to about 1,700.

Just 20 years ago, astronomers had not found any planets circling stars other than the ones revolving around the sun.

"We almost doubled just today the number of planets known to humanity," Nasa planetary scientist Jack Lissauer said.

Nasa scientist Douglas Hudgins called the discovery a major step towards Kepler's ultimate goal: "finding Earth 2.0".

A method called Verification By Multiplicity is used to count the planets

Astronomers used a new technique to come up with the largest single announcement of a batch of exoplanets - what planets outside our solar system are called.

All the new planets are in systems like ours where multiple planets circle a star.

The 715 planets were nearly all similar in size to Earth and four orbit their stars in "habitable zones" where conditions would support liquid water which is crucial for life to exist.

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Crimea: Armed Men Seize Parliament Building

Armed men have seized the regional government building and parliament in Crimea, according to Russian news agency Interfax.

It said local Tatar leader Refat Chubarov had written on Facebook: "I have been told that the buildings of parliament and the council of ministers have been occupied by armed men in uniforms that do not bear any recognisable insignia.

"They have not yet made any demands."

The parliament building has been seized in Simferopol

Crimea is an autonomous republic in the south of Ukraine, around 500 miles from the capital Kiev.

While it is not immediately clear who is in control of the buildings, the Russian flag is flying over both buildings.

The men occupying the buildings are wearing black and orange ribbons - a Russian symbol of victory in World War Two.

They have also put up signs saying: "Crimea is Russian".

Around 100 police officers are said to be gathered in front of the parliament building.

The doors appear to have been blocked by wooden crates.

A witness reported hearing gunfire during the night.

The Russian flag is flying over the parliament

On Wednesday there was a confrontation between pro-Russia separatists and ethnic Tatars, who support Ukraine's new leaders, in Simferopol, where the parliament building is located.

Sky's Alex Rossi says there is an enormous amount of anxiety in Crimea, amid signs of separatism.

The region, where the majority of the population are Russian speakers, has strong ties to Moscow.

Russia has questioned the legitimacy of the new Ukrainian authorities, and has pledged to defend the rights of its "compatriots".

It would react "uncompromisingly" if these were violated, the foreign ministry said in a statement. 

President Vladimir Putin has put the military on alert for major exercises, and announced measures to tighten security at the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet in Crimea.

It came as Russia confirmed it will take part in talks on an International Monetary Fund (IMF) financial package for Ukraine, where the economic situation continues to worsen after months of unrest.

Debt-hit Ukraine has said it needs $35bn (£21bn) over the next two years to avoid bankruptcy.

Barricades have been erected by the gunmen

The European Commission says Russia should be included in efforts to provide financial assistance.

"All I can say is that we will take part in discussions (at the IMF), there is no talk of standing aside," said Andrei Bokarev, head of the finance ministry's international relations department.

Ukraine has also seen continuous devaluation of its currency amid the political upheaval, which led to President Viktor Yanukovych being toppled.

He is now a fugitive, wanted in connection with the deaths of around 100 people during the recent violence.

Ukraine's new government is expected to be formally approved by parliament on Thursday, and faces the hugely complex task of restoring stability in the country.

More follows...

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