Russia TV Presenter Quits On Air In Protest

A presenter for a Russian government-funded TV channel has resigned live on air, after accusing the station of "whitewashing the actions" of Vladimir Putin.

Liz Wahl, a US anchor for Russia Today America, told viewers during the broadcast: "I'm proud to be an American and believe in disseminating the truth and that is why after this newscast, I'm resigning."

Her grandparents fled to the US as refugees during the 1956 Hungarian Revolution to escape the Soviet Union.

Russia's President, Vladimir Putin

Moscow has been accused of invading Ukraine's Crimea region after months of pro-European protests there saw the nation's pro-Russian president, Viktor Yanukovych, ousted.

Russia denies this, claiming the troops operating there are "self-defence" forces who do not answer to Moscow.

In a statement on Ms Wahl's actions, Russia Today said: "When a journalist disagrees with the editorial position of his or her organisation, the usual course of action is to address those grievances with the editor, and, if they cannot be resolved, to quit like a professional.

"But when someone makes a big public show of a personal decision, it is nothing more than a self-promotional stunt.

Moscow says troops in Crimea are "self-defence" forces

"We wish Liz the best of luck on her chosen path."

Ms Wahl later tweeted: "I am grateful and humbled by the outpouring of support I have received."

Another host from the channel criticised the actions of pro-Russian forces earlier this week.

Abby Martin labelled the intervention "wrong" and said she was "strongly against" military involvement.

The channel responded by saying Ms Martin "does not possess a deep knowledge of reality of the situation in Crimea" and that she would be sent there to "make up her own mind from the epicentre of the story".

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Ukraine: Russia Faces Pressure Amid Clashes

Crimea Voices: 'Kiev Government Is Joke'

Updated: 2:41pm UK, Wednesday 05 March 2014

People in Simferopol, Crimea, give Sky News their opinion on the crisis that has seen Russian forces deployed in the region.

:: Yelena Blinova, 75, Pensioner

"I was born in Russia but have lived in Crimea for 42 years.

"We don't want democracy here that came with bullets, we can determine our future by ourselves.

"I believe what has taken place in Kiev is a coup. We are asking Putin to prevent the same from happening here, otherwise they will poison our water supplies, they will gas us.

"We want to have independence and then we will decide what we'll do."

:: Oleg Krivoruchenko, 58, Blacksmith

"I am part of the people's patrol and we are here to make sure there is order on the streets.

"We assembled 11 groups of 100 men - we are patrolling streets, and will be doing this until things calm down.

"There is not tension on the streets of Simferopol.

"We don't know who the armed soldiers are and I don't mind them because they are helping to keep the situation calm.

"I, personally, don't want Crimea to join either Russia or the European Union. I was born here and I want Crimea to be able to run itself."

:: Igor Kornienko, 22 and Sasha Maruk, 22, Students

"They are saying the situation here is tense but we've been cycling around town all this time and it is absolutely fine.

"We've been watching events in Kiev and we are angry that on television they are talking only about the protesters that were killed but not the soldiers.

"This is not fair. The new government in Kiev is a joke. They just assembled some people who have no experience.

"Many people here are hoping we will be in Russia soon, but we have the referendum first.

"What we like about Russia is that life is not crazy like it is here, and Putin is a good leader, but we are not yet sure we would want to become part of it."

:: Vitaly Zagrudniy, 33

"What I care about is the economy. Crimea has everything it needs to be independent from Kiev - we have gas, oil and fertile land.

"But Kiev exports everything we have and does not give us enough back.

"My mother has worked for the state railway for for 35 years and now gets a pension of £75. Similar pensions in Kiev are higher.

"I used to work as a security guard but when I asked to be paid for the last three months they fired me. This is not fair.

"Russia is so close and Crimea's economy depends on Russian tourism and it is more stable too, that's why we would be better off to become a part of it."

Boris Tatorin, 27, Translator

"I really don't like what is happening here. How would you feel if menacing armed men appeared outside your house and told you there are here to protect you?

"I also don't like that we have foreign flags on our official buildings.

"If we signed the EU agreement we could travel to the EU without visas and many people would have liked that.

"I feel Ukrainian and I would never want to be under the Russian rule.

"Troops need to go back to their bases, they are peaceful now, but what will happen if they get different orders?

"I am hoping there will be negotiations and troops will pull out soon."

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Steenkamp's Mother Prepares To Face Pistorius

The mother of Reeva Steenkamp has said she wants to "force" Oscar Pistorius to look at her when she meets him for the first time at his trial.

Today will be the first time June Steenkamp comes face-to-face with the Paralympic and Olympic sprinter who is accused of murdering her daughter.

The 67-year-old said she wants to confront Pistorius on the first day of the proceedings.

Pistorius says he was deeply in love with Ms Steenkamp

"I want to look at Oscar, really look him in the eyes, and see for myself the truth about what he did to Reeva, and whatever the court decides at the end of his trial, I will be ready to forgive him," she told the Mail.

"But first I want to force him to look at me, Reeva's mother, and see the pain and anguish he has inflicted on me.

"I feel I need that."

Last month, Ms Steenkamp's family said they were looking for "closure".

Ms Steenkamp enjoyed a successful modelling career

Pistorius, 27, had been dating 29-year-old Ms Steenkamp for a few months before he killed her by firing four shots through the bathroom door of his upmarket Pretoria home on Valentine's Day last year.

The double amputee has admitted shooting the model and reality TV star but claims says he shot her accidentally, mistaking her for a burglar.

However, prosecutors say he had a heated row with his girlfriend in the hours before the shooting - with several witnesses claiming to have heard the couple arguing.

In her early days as a cover-girl

On the anniversary of her death last month, Pistorius issued a statement saying he was "consumed with sorrow" over the loss of Ms Steenkamp.

"No words can adequately capture my feelings about the devastating accident that has caused such heartache for everyone who truly loved - and continues to love Reeva," he said on his website.

"The pain and sadness, especially for Reeva's parents, family and friends consumes me with sorrow.

"The loss of Reeva and the complete trauma of that day, I will carry with me for the rest of my life."

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

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Oscar Pistorius At Court For Murder Trial

Oscar Pistorius has arrived at court for the first day of his murder trial, a year after he shot girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

Wearing a dark suit and tie, the athlete was surrounded by photographers and journalists as he made his way through the court lobby.

In a landmark ruling, large parts of the case will be broadcast live by three remote-controlled cameras in court, but testimony given by Pistorius can not be shown.

Ms Steenkamp was shot dead at Pistorius' home in February 2013

The South African judge who made the decision said he had weighed up arguments for a fair trial from the Pistorius camp with principles of open justice and freedom of expression.

The trial, which will hear from more than 100 witnesses, is scheduled to run for three weeks but could go on for longer, Hurd says.

The South African legal system does not have trials by a jury, so a judge will preside over proceedings and ultimately pronounce Pistorius innocent or guilty.

Ms Steenkamp was shot by Pistorius at his home in Pretoria

The 27-year-old double amputee faces charges of murder, illegal possession of ammunition and two additional counts relating to shooting a gun in public in two separate incidents before shooting Ms Steenkamp at his home in Pretoria.

Ms Steenkamp's mother June is in court for the first time. She says she wants to look Pistorius in the eyes during the trial.

He stands accused of fatally shooting the 29-year-old model and reality TV star four times through a toilet door intentionally following a jealous row and then lying extensively about it.

The High Court in Pretoria where the trial is taking place

Pistorius acknowledges he killed Ms Steenkamp but denies murder and says he shot her after mistaking her for an intruder.

Pistorius says he was terrified at the mistaken belief that there was a dangerous intruder in his home about to hurt him and the woman he loved dearly - but he had to intervene.

If found guilty of premeditated murder, the Paralympic and Olympic athlete could be jailed for at least 25 years.

More follows...

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

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

 

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Russia Stands With Putin Over Ukraine Gamble

President Vladimir Putin asked his parliament for permission to use Russian troops in Ukraine, but the result was never in doubt.

His senate voted unanimously in favour with almost palpable glee, applauding themselves as they did.

Where much of the international community sees a leader dangerously poised on the verge of annexing Crimea, his supporters see much to like.

The case that Mr Putin is making is one that resonates well in Russia: that he is being forced to act to protect the lives of Russian citizens, compatriots, and Russian armed forces in Ukraine.

In other words, that he is defending Russian national interests and lives.

That much of the rest of the world considers those interests to be part of the sovereign territory of Ukraine is not necessarily a problem for Russia.

In Moscow, the state propaganda machine is already in overdrive, dismissing Oleksandr Turchynov as the "self-imposed president" and dismissing the mass protest movement as extremists and armed gangs.

Mr Putin has made his case and he will likely stick to it: that a legitimately-elected president has been overthrown and Russian citizens are under threat.

Mr Putin is ignoring international opinion to defend Russia's interests

And there are ever-increasing numbers of them to protect. An estimated 143,000 Ukrainians have been issued with Russian passports in the last two weeks, including members of the Berkut riot police.

The old Kremlin tactic of passport politics seems to be alive and flourishing in Ukraine.

The next 24 hours will see the inevitable volley of stern diplomatic warnings and rhetoric from all sides, but Moscow will be scrutinising all those words for any real threat of action, and so far there is not much to fear.

One commentator characterised US President Barack Obama's latest statement on Ukraine as: "Stop, or I'll say stop again."

The US has now paused preparations for this summer's Russian-hosted G8 summit.

Mr Putin does not respond to threats of condemnation. He has never sought approval, just respect.

He wants Russia to be seen as a great superpower once again, and himself as its strongman president.

If that means playing the bad cop in the West and weathering a diplomatic storm, he probably will not lose much sleep.

For Russia, this is about more than just the loss of Ukraine joining the EU. It's about Europe, Nato - the old Cold War bogeyman of the West - advancing right up to the Russian border, and Moscow does not like that at all.

Mr Putin wants to defend his sphere of influence and the national interest. They count for much more in the Kremlin than whether Mr Obama does or does not come to Sochi for G8.

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Ukraine Crisis: Russia Vows To 'Protect Interests'

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the United States that he retains the right to protect Russia's interests in east Ukraine and Crimea as tensions escalate.

Mr Putin issued the stark warning in a 90-minute phone call with US President Barack Obama, in which the two leaders disagreed over the deepening crisis.

A statement from the Kremlin said unrest in Ukraine posted "a real threat to the lives and health of Russian citizens and the many compatriots who are currently on Ukrainian territory".

"Russia retains the right to protect its interests and the Russian-speaking population of those areas," the statement added.

Mr Obama was on the phone with Mr Putin for 90 minutes

During the call, Mr Obama accused Russia of a "clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity", and expressed his "deep concern" over Russia's actions.

The White House said: "The United States calls on Russia to de-escalate tensions by withdrawing its forces back to bases in Crimea and to refrain from any interference elsewhere in Ukraine."

The Kremlin has been accused of sending 6,000 troops into Crimea, despite calls from the US and Britain for Moscow to back off.

Ukraine's Acting President Oleksander Turchynov has ordered his country's army to be placed on high combat alert.

A soldier stands next to a sign that says: 'Crimea Russia'

Two Russian anti-submarine warships have also appeared off the Crimea coast, violating an agreement on Moscow's lease of a naval base, Interfax news agency reported.

The two vessels, part of Russia's Baltic Fleet, have reportedly been sighted in a bay at Sevastopol, where Moscow's Black Sea Fleet has a base.

Sky's Dominic Waghorn said Mr Obama and Mr Putin appear to be in disagreement over what should be done to de-escalate the crisis.

"The phone call didn't go very well, it seems. We have each leader, it looks like, lecturing each other," he said.

Russia claims gunmen from Kiev tried to seize Crimea's interior ministry

"The problem clearly here is that Barack Obama may regard Vladimir Putin as a throwback to the Cold War who has ended up somehow running Russia in 2014.

"The two leaders have no real way, on a personal level at least, of working it out and resolving this crisis."

In response to Russia's aggression, the US has already announced it will suspend participation in preparatory meetings for the G8 summit in Sochi in June.

European foreign ministers are also due to hold emergency talks in Brussels on Monday.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague said he was "deeply concerned" by the situation and the decision of the Russian parliament to authorise military action.

"This action is a potentially grave threat to the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine. We condemn any act of aggression against Ukraine," he said.

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

Mr Hague is due to visit the country today and hold talks with Ukraine's new leaders.

Pro-Russia demonstrations have been held in major cities in the east and south of Ukraine, where supporters of the new Ukrainian government in Kiev have been beaten up.

The autonomous republic of Crimea has a prime minister loyal to Moscow, but the government in Kiev has vowed to maintain the country's territorial integrity.

Reports suggest that Russian troops are trying to occupy an anti-aircraft missile base and have taken control of airports on the peninsular.

Ukraine's border guard service said about 300 armed men were attempting to seize its main headquarters in the port city of Sevastopol.

Russian helicopter gunships have also been seen in Ukrainian airspace.

Russian soldiers are guarding buildings in Crimea

But there were claims by Russia that gunmen from Kiev had been sent to seize the offices of Crimea's interior ministry.

There was grainy footage of an unidentified armed group breaking into a building, with smoke rising and reports that people had been "wounded".

In what appears to be an orchestrated move, a referendum on whether residents in Crimea want greater independence from Ukraine has been brought forward by two months to March 30.

Russia's Lower House of Parliament, the Duma, has called on Mr Putin "to take measures to stabilise the situation in Crimea".

Ukraine's population is divided in loyalties between Russia and the West.

Much of western Ukraine advocating closer ties with the European Union. However, the eastern and southern regions look to Russia for support.

Crimea has 2.3 million inhabitants, most of whom identify themselves as ethnic Russians and speak Russian.

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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.

:: Watch Sky News live on television, on Sky channel 501, Virgin Media channel 602, Freeview channel 82 and Freesat channel 202.

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