W O R L D

Russia vetoes UN resolution on Crimea
United Nations, March 15
Russia today vetoed a UN Security Council resolution drafted by the US declaring the referendum in Crimea invalid, even as close ally China abstained, isolating Moscow further on the Ukraine crisis.

Pro-Russian activists hold a rally in Ukrainian city of Donetsk on Saturday; and election commission officials count ballots ahead a referendum at a polling station in the Crimean town of Simferopol. AFP/Reuters

Ukraine reports Russian ‘invasion’ on eve of Crimea vote
Kiev, March 15
Ukraine accused Russia today of invading a region bordering Crimea and vowed to use "all necessary measures" to ward off an attack that came on the eve of the peninsula's breakaway vote.

US imposed war on Afghanistan: Karzai Kabul, March 15 Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the last 12 years of war were "imposed" on Afghans, a reference to the US-led invasion that ousted the Taliban. In a last address to Parliament today, Karzai also said his armed forces, now responsible for 93 per cent of the country, were ready to take over entirely after the withdrawal of US and NATO troops later this year.

Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai arrives at the opening ceremony of the fourth year of Parliament in Kabul. Reuters

Syrian forces enter last rebel bastion
Beirut, March 15
Syrian soldiers entered eastern districts of the town of Yabroud, the last rebel bastion near the Lebanese border north of Damascus, on Saturday and advanced towards the main street, Al Mayadeen television said.

Conviction of Pak doc who tracked Osama upheld
Peshawar, March 15
A Pakistani tribunal today upheld the conviction of Shakil Afridi, the doctor who helped the CIA track down Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden, but reduced his 33 years sentence by 10 years. The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Tribunal had sentenced Afridi to 33 years in jail and also levied a Rs 3,20,000 fine in 2012.

Russia vetoes UN resolution on Crimea
Close ally China abstains isolating Moscow further on Ukraine crisis

United Nations, March 15
Russia today vetoed a UN Security Council resolution drafted by the US declaring the referendum in Crimea invalid, even as close ally China abstained, isolating Moscow further on the Ukraine crisis.

80% Crimeans want union with Moscow

• Most of Crimea's electorate of 1.5 million is expected to choose joining Russia in the referendum, reflecting an ethnic Russian majority
• Ethnic Tatars, Sunni Muslims of Turkic origin who make up 12% of Crimea's population, have said they will boycott the referendum.
• Human Rights Watch said more than 80% Crimeans supported the break with Ukraine and union with Russia
• The regional government's distributing fliers around Simferopol recalling the patriotic fervour whipped up by the Soviets during World War II. “Your Motherland is calling!” said one. “Say Yes to Russia!”

Ukraine reports Russian ‘invasion’ on eve of Crimea vote

Kiev, March 15
Ukraine accused Russia today of invading a region bordering Crimea and vowed to use "all necessary measures" to ward off an attack that came on the eve of the peninsula's breakaway vote.

The dramatic escalation of the most serious East-West crisis since the Cold War set a tense stage for the referendum on Crimea's secession from Ukraine in favour of Kremlin rule, a vote denounced by both the international community and Kiev.

The predominantly Russian-speaking Black Sea region of two million people was overrun by Kremlin-backed troops days after the February 22 fall in Kiev of a Moscow-backed regime and the rise of nationalist leaders who favour closer ties with the West.

President Vladimir Putin defended Moscow's decision to flex its military muscle by arguing that ethnic Russians in Ukraine needed "protection". — AFP

Kin of Britons detained in India seek Cameron’s help

London, March 15
Relatives of six former British servicemen jailed in India have called on Prime Minister David Cameron to help free them. They plan to deliver a 136,000-strong petition to Downing Street and want the UK government to act as a guarantor, the BBC reported.

The men had been working on a private US-owned ship providing anti-piracy protection when they were arrested over illegally possessing weapons. They have been in jail since October last year and have since seen a decision over their bail deferred by the authorities.

The US maritime company AdvanFort insists their ship had the correct papers.

The petition, which is to be delivered to the Prime Minister's office next Tuesday, calls for the men to be released and asks for the UK government's backing. The Indian authorities said they had intercepted the US ship and found weapons and ammunition on board. — PTI

US imposed war on Afghanistan: Karzai

Kabul, March 15
Afghan President Hamid Karzai says the last 12 years of war were "imposed" on Afghans, a reference to the US-led invasion that ousted the Taliban. In a last address to Parliament today, Karzai also said his armed forces, now responsible for 93 per cent of the country, were ready to take over entirely after the withdrawal of US and NATO troops later this year.

Karzai was named as head of state by an international agreement, and subsequently by a council of Afghan notables, in the aftermath of the invasion. His final term in office expires with presidential elections next month.

He reiterated his stance that he wouldn't sign a security pact with Washington to allow a residual force to remain behind in Afghanistan, unless the US first brings peace. — AP

Syrian forces enter last rebel bastion

Beirut, March 15
Syrian soldiers entered eastern districts of the town of Yabroud, the last rebel bastion near the Lebanese border north of Damascus, on Saturday and advanced towards the main street, Al Mayadeen television said.

The Beirut-based station broadcast footage showing soldiers charging through a field towards an arched entrance of the town and a sign saying "Welcome to Yabroud". Gunfire could be heard as the soldiers proceeded. Capturing Yabroud would help President Bashar al-Assad choke off a cross-border rebel supply line from Lebanon. — Reuters

9 dead in Lebanon

Tripoli: Nine people have been killed in 48 hours of clashes in Lebanon's northern town of Tripoli linked to the conflict in neighbouring Syria, a security source said on Saturday.

Conviction of Pak doc who tracked Osama upheld

Peshawar, March 15
A Pakistani tribunal today upheld the conviction of Shakil Afridi, the doctor who helped the CIA track down Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden, but reduced his 33 years sentence by 10 years. The Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) Tribunal had sentenced Afridi to 33 years in jail and also levied a Rs 3,20,000 fine in 2012.

The term was challenged by Afridi's lawyers and a decision to this effect was reserved on February 15 this year by the Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) Commissioner. Afridi's lawyer Sami Ullah said the decision was unexpected and they would appeal against it in the Fata tribunal. The doctor, who was arrested immediately after the May 2, 2011 operation by US commandos that killed bin Laden, was convicted for treason over alleged ties to banned militant group Lashkar-e-Islam. — PTI