Ukraine boosts security for vote

The United States piled the pressure on Russia Wednesday over its actions in Ukraine, where the authorities are mobilising tens of thousands of police for a presidential vote in the face of a bloody insurgency gripping the east.
Vice President Joe Biden threatened further sanctions on Moscow if it disrupts Sunday's presidential ballot, being viewed as crucial to prevent all-out civil war on Europe's doorstep.
In a key step demanded by the West to ease tensions, Russia said its troops were packing up and moving back from the Ukrainian border, but also again demanded that Kiev halt its offensive against the pro-Moscow separatists fighting in the east, according to AFP.