Monday, June 2, 2014

World News Briefs -- May 30, 2014



King Juan Carlos Of Spain Abdicates -- BBC

King Juan Carlos of Spain has announced his intention to abdicate, after nearly 40 years on the throne.

"A new generation must be at the forefront... younger people with new energies," the 76-year-old king said in a televised address.

His son, Crown Prince Felipe, 45, will take over the throne.

For much of his reign, Juan Carlos was seen as one of the world's most popular monarchs, but recently many Spaniards have lost confidence in him.

His reputation has been tarnished by a long-running corruption investigation into the business dealings of his daughter and her husband.

King Juan Carlos, 76, has had health problems in recent years

Read more ....

MIDDLE EAST

Deadly rebel attacks in Aleppo ahead of Syria vote. Syrian rebel rocket fire kills 50 in Aleppo: monitoring group.

Syria barrel bomb toll 'nears 2000' this year.

Lebanon says Syrians who return will lose refugee status.

Nearly 800 killed in Iraq's bloodiest month this year.

Khamenei urges closer ties with Arab states.

Palestinians form consensus government.

Netanyahu urges world not to recognize Palestinian unity government.

Turkey scrambles fighter jets to intercept Iranian aircraft.

Turkish police tear gas protesters on Taksim anniversary.

Calls for 2022 World Cup bid contest to be re-run after bombshell evidence emerges that Qatar used a £3m slush fund to bribe its way to victory.

ASIA

Afghan president fumes at prisoner deal made behind his back: source.

US warns China to avoid tensions in airspace.

China calls Japan, US comments on disputed areas 'provocative. China denounces Japan and US over 'provocative' speeches.

Taliban attack military posts in Pakistan. Pakistan-Taliban clash spills into Afghanistan.

China disrupts Google services ahead of Tiananmen anniversary.

Pyongyang sentences S. Korean 'spy' to life.

Second diver dies in South Korea ferry search.

Thai army rulers prepare emergency economic measures.

Thailand troops deployed to prevent anti-coup protest. Thai military releases former interim PM days after coup.

After military warnings, Facebook temporarily blocked in Thailand.

Pakistan clerics issue stoning death decree.

China's manufacturing activity picks up.

AFRICA

Deadly fighting erupts in Libya's Benghazi. Death toll in fighting in Libya's Benghazi rises to 18: medics. Libyan jets bomb rebel bases in Benghazi.

Smugglers 'kill six Egyptian guards' near Libya border.

Kenya riots in Mandera after 'al-Shabab' clerics killed.

Malawi election: Peter Mutharika sworn in as president.

Sudanese woman sentenced to death for being a Christian might not be freed, after all.

DR Congo: Rape 'routine' in prisons.

Sierra Leone changes strategy to fight Ebola outbreak.

EUROPE

Spanish abdication: Live

PM: Spanish king to abdicate in favor of son.

Russia to submit UN resolution on Ukraine violence.

Ukraine Rebels killed near Donetsk airport. Pro-Russia insurgents attack border guards in eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine's President-elect vows vengeance over helicopter attack.

Gazprom postpones Ukraine gas ultimatum. Russia gives Ukraine more time to reach gas deal. Ukraine makes part payment on Russian gas debt.

Spain to launch 6.3bn euro stimulus package.

French students rally to 'save democracy' from far-right.

Brussels Jewish Museum killings: Man held in Marseille.

AMERICAS

Bowe Bergdahl release: US parties clash on Afghan deal. Hagel defends Bergdahl swap as life-saving ‘prisoner exchange’.

Obama to visit volatile Europe.

Argentine vice-president Boudou summoned in corruption case.

El Salvador: Salvador Sanchez sworn in as president.

US House passes sanctions on Venezuelan officials.

Labor strikes roil Brazil ahead of World Cup. Brazil economy in slowdown ahead of World Cup.

New federal database will track Americans' credit ratings, other financial information.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

CIA drone strike program in Pakistan winding down.

4 held in French jihadist group; Syria fears rise.

Taliban says 'five senior leaders' have been 'liberated' from Guantanamo.

Mullah Omar hails release of 5 top Taliban commanders as 'great victory'.

U.S. strategy to fight terrorism increasingly uses proxies.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Virgin space flights cleared for US take-off.

World Bank sounds alarm on rising global food prices.

Fixed soccer matches cast shadow over World Cup.

US to unveil sharp curbs on coal power plants.

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