Crimea Secession Vote: How, Why and What Next?

The Ukrainian region of Crimea votes Sunday in a hastily organized referendum to break away and join Russia, in defiance of broad condemnation from the international community, which has described the process as illegitimate.

Moscow-backed politicians in Crimea, a territory of 2 million people, say the move will ensure the local population protection from radical nationalism that they say surged after President Viktor Yanukovych was forced to flee Ukraine. No immediate proof of specific threats has been produced, however, and the leadership in Kiev describes what is happening in Crimea as a crude land grab.

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Analysis shows two possible Indian Ocean paths for airliner

Washington (CNN) -- Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 made drastic changes in altitude and direction after disappearing from civilian radar, U.S. officials told CNN on Friday, raising questions for investigators about just who was at the controls of the commercial jetliner that went missing one week ago with 239 people on board.

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Malaysia Airliner Communications Shut Down Separately, US Officials Say

Two U.S. officials tell ABC News the U.S. believes that the shutdown of two communication systems happened separately on Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. One source said this indicates the plane did not come out of the sky because of a catastrophic failure.

The data reporting system, they believe, was shut down at 1:07 a.m. The transponder -- which transmits location and altitude -- shut down at 1:21 a.m.

This indicates it may well have been a deliberate act, ABC News aviation consultant John Nance said.

U.S. investigators told ABC News that the two modes of communication were "systematically shut down."

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Britain To Pay £1 BILLION In Aid To Ukraine As Russian Flag Torn Down In Flashpoint Eastern City And Putin's Navy Blockades Port

* Pro-Russian protesters removed from Ukrainian government building following reports they had rigged bombs

* Russian flag removed from the roof of the building in the eastern city of Donetsk and Ukrainian flag reinstated

* Vladimir Putin's navy blocks access to Sevastapol port in fresh show of strength outside its Black Sea base

* Now new Ukraine PM says Crimea may be granted new local powers in exchange for remaining part of the country

* Developments come as EU announces £11billion aid package for Ukraine - including £1billion from Britain

* Meanwhile EU warns Moscow that billions belonging to Putin and his oligarch allies could be seized tomorrow

* Russia responded by threatening EU and U.S. with economic, trade and visa restrictions if sanctions are issued

* Russian Foreign Minister says people in Crimea do not recognise the new 'unconstitutional' Ukrainian government

Ukraine's new government is to be offered a multi-billion aid package by the European Union, with an estimated £1 billion coming from Britain.

The cash, made up of grants and loans totalling €11 billion (£9 billion), was approved by European ministers today at a meeting which also set out sanctions which could be brought against Russia if it steps up its military involvement in Ukraine - including seizing President Vladimir Putin's own assets and those of his oligarch allies.

In Ukraine itself tensions a new flashpoint emerged in Donetsk, in the east of the country, where riot police stormed the city hall and removed pro-Russian protesters, then raised the Ukrainian flag, while in the Black Sea at Sevastapol, the Russian navy blockaded the port in a show of strength.

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U.S. Investigators Suspect Missing Malaysia Airlines Plane Flew On for Hours

U.S. investigators suspect that Malaysia Airlines 3786.KU 0.00% Flight 370 stayed in the air for up to four hours past the time it reached its last confirmed location, according to two people familiar with the details, raising the possibility that the plane could have flown on for hundreds of additional miles under conditions that remain murky.

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