Another item from our news desk:
U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry says new sanctions against Russia are "teed up" should the crisis in eastern Ukraine worsen.
Kerry said at a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing in Washington on February 25 that "to date, neither Russia nor the [separatist] forces it is supporting have come close to complying with their commitments."
He added that if "failure continues" there would be further consequences "that would place added strains on Russia's weakened economy."
The words were part of a string of stronger rhetoric towards Russia from Obama administration officials in recent days.
Asked by the PBS broadcaster if she took Russian President Vladimir Putin at his word that he wants peace in Ukraine, U.S. national security adviser Susan Rice responded, "How dumb do I look?"
Moscow has repeatedly denied that it has sent troops or weapons into Ukraine in a conflict has killed more than 5,600 people.
(AFP, Reuters)