The US Secretary of State John Kerry has condemned what he described as Russia's act ofaggression in Ukraine. He was speaking during a visit to Kiev. From where Sarah Rainsfordreports.
As he laid flowers at the shrines of dozens killed in Kiev, John Kerry was met by a crowd callingfor his country's help. That is what he came here to offer, moral and political support for theinterim government, and the promise of financial and its technical aid to help stabilize theeconomy. But most of all, he brought a message for Moscow, there is no evidence at all, heinsisted, that it claimed that its troops are protecting Russian speakers in Ukraine, accusingMoscow of hiding behind falsehood and intimidation. In the 21st century, John Kerry warned,you can't invade another country, and dictate your demands down the barrel of a gun.
John Kerry was echoed shortly after with by President Obama, who said the fact that Russiansoldiers were active in Crimea, meant Russia was using illegal force to exert influence on aneighbouring country. The Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier described his country'sintervention in Ukraine as a humanitarian mission. He denied that the armed forces around inCrimean military bases in Crimea were anything to do with the Kremlin. Mr. Putin said they werea local defence forces and the Russia took no part in training them. Steve Rosenberg reportsfrom Moscow.
Vladimir Putin said Ukraine had witnessed an unconstitutional coup, an armed seize of power.He continued, he said to recognize Yanukovych as the country's legitimate president. PresidentPutin believed that Viktor Yanukovych was toppled by a Western plot to install an anti-Russiangovernment in Kiev. he likened American officials to people doing laboratorial experiments onrats.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe is sending a military observer missionto Ukraine. Officials said 15 monitors are being sent as Ukraine has requested. And they willattempt to travel to Crimea. Earlier, troops in Russian uniform and Ukrainian soldiers wereinvolved in a tense confrontation at an air base in Crimea.
There has been further violation in northeastern Nigeria. As a senator from Borno state said11 people were killed in an attack by Islamist militants on Monday night in the city of Maiduguri.A resident said at least 40 had died. Here's Will Ross.
It seems Islamist militant fighters in Nigeria had decided to carry out attacks on a daily basis.The latest place to be targeted was Jakana village in Borno state. The senator representing thearea Ahmad Zannah said the suspected Islamist militants had warned of the attack and so manypeople had fled the village to hide. Senator Zannah said soldiers have responded and thisprevented the entire village from being destroyed. On Monday he accused soldiers of fleeingwhen another village was attacked.
World News from the BBC
The United Nations drug control agency has criticized moves to legalize cannabis in Uruguayand some US states. The International Narcotics Control Board said the plans contravened UNconventions restricting drugs to medical and scientific use. The Board's president said anyrelaxation of cannabis laws posed a danger to public health and should be reversed.
The lawyer for a Tunisian man who was jailed for insulting Islam said he's been freed. JabeurMejri was sentenced in 2012 to 7.5 years in prison, for posting a cartoon of the ProphetMohammed on his Facebook page. Two weeks ago, Tunisian media reported that he'd beengiven a presidential pardon.
The Italian government has ordered immediate measures to save the world heritage site ofPompeii. The Roman city buried by a volcanic eruption almost 2,000 years ago. The site hasbeen damaged by heavy rain. Alan Johnston reports from Rome.
Over the weekend, two walls collapsed in Pompeii. One at the Temple of Venus and the other inan area of tombs. Then on Monday the wall of a Roman shop came crashing down. Heavy rainshave been blamed for the damage. Pompeii is one of the world's greatest archeologicaltreasures. And the latest reports of the cave-in collapse prompted international pressure foraction. In response, the Italian government has ordered immediate measures to protectvulnerable areas of the site. Its maintainance budget has to be boosted by well over $2.5m,and extra staff will be deployed.
Pope Francis is allowing members of the public to visit the sumptuous gardens of his summerretreat outside Rome. The residence at Castel Gandolfo, well luxurious property on the siteof a former Roman villa, has been owned by the Holy See since 1596. And covers an area largerthan the Vatican city itself.
BBC News.