World News Briefs -- May 1, 2015

© Mikhail Japaridze/TASS

RT: Worldwide marches mark Labor Day (PHOTOS, VIDEOS)

Thousands have rallied worldwide to celebrate International Workers' Day or May Day, the largest labor holiday in the world. In some countries demonstrations have turned violent with police deploying tears gas.

Several hundred people took to the streets in Istanbul with police using tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters at the landmark Taksim Square, the Hurriyet Daily reported. Some 10,000 officers were on patrol in the area.

MIDDLE EAST

Fierce fighting grips Yemen's Aden as residents flee. Air strikes kill civilians in Yemeni capital.

Border clash kills 3 Saudi soldiers, Yemeni rebels. Yemen crisis: Saudi Arabia 'repels Houthi border attack'.

Yemenis suffer from lack of food, power and medical aid as battles rage on.

Islamist rebels battle Syrian army near Assad heartland.

Kobani still a ghost town, months after liberation from IS.

U.S., allies stage 18 air strikes against Islamic State: coalition.

US Navy ships to accompany US-flagged ships in Gulf.

Iran's Zarif congratulates new Saudi FM despite tensions.

ASIA

Nepal earthquake death toll exceeds 6,000 with thousands unaccounted for. Life crawling back to normal in Nepal's quake-hit capital. Nepal quake: Towns near epicentre 'devastated' - Red Cross.

Afghan delegation heads to Qatar for talks with the Taliban.

Myanmar rebel chief says peace deal not possible amid Kokang fighting.

Pakistani PM praises army for defeating Waziristan militants.

Pakistani military fires rare criticism at political leader.

Photos show purported ISIS training camp in Afghanistan.

Thai police find mass graves of suspected trafficking victims.

AFRICA

Arrests rise in Burundi protests; protesters vow to remain. Hundreds of students seek refuge at US embassy in Burundi.

African troops involved with French in UN rape report scandal.

South Sudan rebels accuse government forces of new attacks.

Nigeria's military releases photos of women and girls it said it rescued from extremists.

Nigeria seeks to ease petrol woes despite cash crunch.

Clashes in Maldives as protesters call for ex-president's release.

Congo destroys illegal ivory as wildlife summit begins.

EUROPE

Two Ukrainian serviceman killed in past 24 hours in east: military.

U.S., other Western leaders snub Russia's Victory Day parade.

Germany needs to quickly clear up spy charges: Steinmeier.

Albania opens communist secret police files.

Once magnet for foreign 'mujahedeen', Bosnia now exports them.

Britain's biggest hard drugs seizure 'worth $750 mn'.

Nepal quake: 1,000 EU citizens still unaccounted for, says envoy.

AMERICAS

Prosecutors charge 6 Baltimore officers in Freddie Gray death. Six Baltimore police officers face murder, other charges in death of black man.

Ex-leaders demand jailed Venezuela politicians be freed.

Supreme court urges investigation of Colombia's ex-president over spying ring.

US seeks to compensate victims of Sudan, Iran and Cuba.

U.S. bill would create ‘hostage czar’ to coordinate efforts to rescue Americans.

US, Canada unveil rules to boost oil train safety.

Obama's presidential library will be built in Chicago -U.S. media.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Isis leader incapacitated with suspected spinal injuries after air strike.

ISIS releases video of Yemeni soldiers execution – report.

Pakistanis see double standard in drone strikes.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Coffee catastrophe beckons as climate change threatens arabica plant.

Saudi Arabia shakes up state oil firm Aramco.

Plight of Maersk Tigris ship is fresh reminder of supply-chain risks.