Russia Annexation of Crimea a Land Grab, Says William HagueBy Gianluca MezzofioreMarch 18, 2014 13:35 GMTBritain's Foreign Secretary William Hague arrives for a cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street in LondonReutersBritish foreign secretary William Hague has called the annexation of Crimea by Russia as a land grab."It's regrettable that President Putin chose isolation, denying Russian and Crimean citizens partnership with the international community," Hague said.He added that the Crimea referendum was "a mockery of democratic practice"."The referendum was clearly illegal according to the Ukrainian constitution. Crimea is part of Ukraine and only the Ukrainian parliament has the right to call such referendum," said Hague.He praised the "immense restraint" shown by the Ukrainian military in face of "immense provocation" by Russian troops."We have cancelled French, Russian, UK, US naval exercises, and suspended a proposed Royal Navy ship visit to Russia," he announced.US vice-president Joe Biden echoed Hague's words and called Crimea's new status as the 84th state in the Russian Federation a "blatant violation of international law"."Unfortunately Russian leaders decide to annex Crimea,Nike Air Max 2013 Emerald," said Biden. "It's a simple fact that Russia's political and economic isolation will increase."The Ukrainian foreign ministry said that it did not recognise the annexation treaty signed by Moscow and Simferopol.In an unprecedented speech rejecting international criticism of Russia and Western rule after the fall of the Soviet Union, Putin stressed that Crimea "has always been an inalienable part of Russia".RelatedPutin's Two Fingers to the West: Crimea Belongs to RussiaRussia Recognises Crimea as Independent and Sovereign StateUkraine Crisis: Obama Tells Russia Further Provocation will 'Diminish Your Place in the World'Crimea Referendum: Who are the Seven Officials Sanctioned by Barack Obama?EU and White House Impose Sanctions Against Russian Officials Over Crimea ReferendumUkraine: Neo-Fascist Leader Dmitry Yarosh Vows to Destroy Russia's Gas Pipelines to Stop 'World War III'
British Woman Khadija Shah Sentenced to Life in Pakistan Prison for Heroin SmugglingBy Ewan PalmerMarch 18, 2014 13:47 GMTKhadija Shah was arrested at Islamabad airport with a total of 63kg of heroin, split into 123 packets.(Handout)A British woman who was found guilty of attempting to smuggle ��3.2m worth of heroin out of Pakistan has been sentenced to life in prison.Khadija Shah, 26, from Birmingham, was six months pregnant when she was arrested at Islamabad airport in May 2012 trying to board a flight back to the UK with several suitcases filled with 63kg worth of heroin,Nike Air Max 2014 White Black UK, split into 123 packets.Shad risked been sentenced to death in Pakistan following her conviction. Executions have not been carried out for drugs convictions in Pakistan since 2008.Shah, who gave birth to a baby girl in September while she was in custody, denied the charges. She claimed the bags were given to her by her husband, who then escaped when she was arrested. He has yet to be located.Her baby daughter, Mala