Ukraine: Putin approves draft bill for Russia to annex Crimea
Russian president recognises Crimea as sovereign state as US and EU impose 'toothless' sanctions in wake of referendum
The Russian president, Vladimir Putin, has approved a draft bill for the annexation of Crimea following a referendum in the peninsula that overwhelmingly supported seceding from Ukraine.
In an address to a joint session of Russia's parliamentary houses scheduled for 11am GMT today, Putin will deliver his position on the hugely contentious Crimean question. His is expected to set the stage for parliament to approve the absorption of Crimea.
The US and the EU retaliated over the referendum – which the west considers illegal – with sanctions against Russian and Ukrainian officials on Monday, a move widely seen as "toothless".
Archaeologists discover earliest example of human with cancer
3,000-year-old skeleton found in tomb in modern Sudan
British archaeologists have found what they say is the world’s oldest complete example of a human being with metastatic cancer and hope it will offer new clues about the common and often fatal disease.
Researchers from Durham University and the British Museum discovered the evidence of tumours that had developed and spread throughout the body in a 3,000-year-old skeleton found in a tomb in modern Sudan in 2013.
Analysing the skeleton using radiography and a scanning electron microscope, they managed to get clear imaging of lesions on the bones which showed the cancer had spread to cause tumours on the collar bones, shoulder blades, upper arms, vertebrae, ribs, pelvis and thigh bones.
From Mexico to Brazil, how is the Ukraine crisis playing in Latin America?
Reactions in the region have ranged from name calling to accusations of Russian meddling to observations of declining world powers.
Latin America’s low-key reaction to events in Ukraineand Crimea suggest that opinion-makers are distracted by domestic issues and perceive such far-off developments as having little bearing on the region.
The Brazilian press has noted the “pathetic and weak” leadership of the United States and Europe and saidRussia was creating a “Soviet Union light” with nationalist rather than communist undertones. Commentators have criticized Russia’s propagandistic narrative, in which criticism of Russian expansionism and interventionism is countered with examples of the American and European bloody history. They have said [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s motives are a clear and explicit demonstration of power, where Crimea is a non-negotiable territory.
Analysis: Decade after debt relief, Africa's rush to borrow stirs concern
JOHANNESBURG
(Reuters) - Nearly a decade after Nelson Mandela and anti-poverty activists Bono and Bob Geldof persuaded the rich world to forgive Africa's crushing debts, many countries' debt levels are creeping up again, which could undermine the region's growth boom.
As African states line up to join the growing club of dollar bond issuers, economists and analysts warn of a slide back into indebtedness that could undo recent economic gains and create a "Eurobond curse" to match the distorting "resource curse".
"Eurobonds have become like stock exchanges, private jets and presidential palaces. Every African leader wants to have one," said one investor, asking not to be named.
Crimea Referendum Sparks Secession Debate In China
In the aftermath of Crimea's controversial referendum and overwhelming vote to leave Ukraine and rejoin Russia, Chinese diplomats found themselves facing a dilemma: throw their support behind Russia or adhere to China's long-standing policy of non-interference in other countries' internal affairs.
In an attempt to balance this policy with Beijing's budding relationship with Russia, diplomats were non-committal, choosing not to endorse Russia's actions in Crimea or support a U.N. resolution condemning the referendum.
Yet while diplomats took the middle road, in Chinese cyberspace netizens fiercely debated what kind of precedent the referendum set for China's own territorial issues: Was Crimea's referendum like a long-dreamed-of vote in Taiwan to rejoin the mainland? Or like a dreaded vote by Tibet to leave the People's Republic of China?
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