Ukraine crisis roils global stock markets

An escalation in tensions in the Ukrainian region of Crimea rocked European markets Thursday before a calm open on Wall Street helped ease the nerves.
Investors became concerned that the crisis was taking a dangerous turn following reports that pro-Russia gunmen seized control of local government buildings in Crimea.
The Ukrainian currency, the hryvnia, was down 10 per cent at 11 per US dollar, having earlier touched a record low of 11.25. In Russia, the RTS stock index was down 2 per cent.
Market confidence improved after US Fed chair Janet Yellen suggested US interest rates will remain low well after the unemployment rate falls below 6.5 per cent and that it is not on a preset course in withdrawing its stimulus.