Friday, May 29, 2015

World News Briefs -- May 28, 2015



VOA: FIFA President Calls for Unity in Face of Scandal

FIFA President Sepp Blatter called for unity among members of football's governing body and promised to work to overcome its corruption scandal if he is re-elected.

Addressing the 65th FIFA annual congress in Zurich, Switzerland ahead of the vote Friday, Blatter said that the events of this week “have cast a long shadow over football and this Congress” and appeal for concerted actions to “try and take it away,” aiming to restore “the reputation of football and FIFA.”

MIDDLE EAST

Islamic State suicide attacks in Iraq's Anbar kill 17 troops.

Kurdish fighters in Syria on the march against IS militants.

Retaking Iraq’s Ramadi from Islamic State will take time: Shia militia spokesman.

Deadly car explosion near Shia mosque in Saudi Arabia. ISIS claims 2nd Saudi mosque attack.

Fighters battle Houthis in Yemen's Aden.

Iranian aid plane bound for Yemen lands in Djibouti.

UN nuke agency report shows Iran probe essentially stalled.

U.S. allies not waiting for Iran’s sanctions to come down.

ASIA

U.S. surveillance on island in South China Sea reveals Chinese arms.

India's heat wave tests water supply; death toll over 1,800.

U.S. says China agrees "pressure" key on North Korea.

Carter: China isolating itself in Pacific.

Asia migrants: Bangkok meeting to debate crisis.

SE Asia vows to rescue 'boat people'; Myanmar seizes migrant vessel.

Civilians emerge as pawns in South China Sea legal chess game.

China agrees to phase out its ivory industry to combat elephant poaching.

AFRICA

Fighting in northern Mali forces tens of thousands to flee: U.N..

Chad says 33 Boko Haram militants, three troops killed in clash.

Nigeria's Buhari vows intense campaign against Boko Haram. Muhammadu Buhari takes over Nigeria in crisis.

Nigerian economy in 'deep trouble', Buhari says.

South African families among ISIL's newest recruits.

South Africa frees anti-apartheid hero murder mastermind.

Tighter border controls block African migrants in Italian Alps.

EUROPE

Merkel not ruling out EU treaty change after Cameron talks.

Putin denies Russian troops are in Ukraine, decrees certain deaths secret. Putin fears mounting Russian casualties In Ukraine, passes law to keep them secret.

Special Report: Russian fighters, caught in Ukraine, cast adrift by Moscow.

Russia's Gazprom says Ukraine's total gas debt is $29.5 bln.

Gazprom will increase its share in EU market by 2015 end — Gazprom CEO Miller.

Belgium launches investigation into German and U.S. spying.

Greece could use 'Zambia' option as progress on deal unclear.

Cyprus leaders agree on new crossings on divided island.

AMERICAS

US economy fell at 0.7 pct. rate in winter but is rebounding.

US Lawmakers demand answers on anthrax scare.

Islamic State sympathizers may have made airline threats: U.S. officials.

Exclusive - Mexican president misrepresented personal land deal, records show.

Colombian rebel peace negotiator among dead in military raid.

Venezuela and Russia's Rosneft agree '$14bn oil deal'.

US bikers to hold Muhammad cartoon contest outside Mosque.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

No exit: For female jihadis, Syria is one-way journey.

Young Australian women trying to join IS, say police.

‘Bigger and badder’: US volunteers head to fight ISIS.

US and Russia-trained Tajik special police head defects to ISIS, swears jihad.

Lawmakers warn travel ban on Taliban freed for Bergdahl will soon end
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ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Banks could face questions in FIFA probe.

Power of gold: China establishes its largest gold-investment fund.

Successful Qatar bid for World Cup aroused suspicion among U.S. officials.

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