In Ukraine, the parliament has passed a no-confidence motion in Prime Minister Viktor Yanukovych in a move that has brought down the sitting Ukrainian government. Outgoing President Leonid Kuchma must now appoint a caretaker government. This comes as the pro-Kremlin Yanukovych is in the midst of a contested presidential election battle wih the pro-Western Viktor Yushchenko. Supporters of the opposition leader Yushchenko pushed the no-confidence motion through Parliament. Meanwhile the local parliament in Yanukovych’s home region of Donetsky has voted to hold a referendum in January to seek autonomy from the central Ukraine government.