Thursday, May 14, 2015

World News Briefs -- May 14, 2015



The Guardian: Burundi rivals battle for control of capital after coup attempt

Violence flares across Bujumbura a day after former intelligence chief attempted to oust President Pierre Nkurunziza

Rival military groups have been battling for control of the Burundi capital, a day after a former intelligence chief staged an attempted coup against President Pierre Nkurunziza.

Heavy gunfire rang out from the direction of the ruling CNDD-FDD party headquarters in Bujumbura, which witnesses said were being guarded by police. It was difficult to determine who was in control of the capital, with periods of relative calm broken by bouts of gunfire in the evening. Five soldiers were reportedly killed in clashes.


MIDDLE EAST

Five Iranian boats fire shots in the Persian Gulf. Iran navy fires shots at tanker as tensions rise in Gulf.

Iranian official criticizes Saudi Arabia, stresses support for Assad.

Iran blasts Saudis over Yemen, agencies rush in aid.

Isis reaches gates of ancient Syrian city Palmyra, stoking fears of destruction.

U.S.-led coalition launches 31 air strikes against Islamic State: task force.

Saudi Arabia promises to match Iran in nuclear capability.

US agrees to allay Arab Gulf's Iran worries with military assistance. Obama pledges more military cooperation to reassure wary Persian Gulf allies.

Israel’s Parliament approves new, precarious government.

ASIA

Kabul Park Palace Hotel attack kills 14.

Prime Minister: Nepal overwhelmed by second quake.

Choppers and drone hunt for missing U.S. Huey, Nepal quake toll rises.

Nowhere to go as Asian boatpeople are turned away amid growing crisis at sea.

China cautions U.S. Navy on patrols in South China Sea.

Kerry to confront China over island-building in South China Sea.

Malaysia turns away 800 boat people; Thailand spots 3rd boat.

N Korea defence chief's execution 'not confirmed'.

Japan-Korea tension laid bare.

More than a dozen bombs explode in Thai south, 12 people wounded.

Philippine factory fire traps, kills 72; lapses investigated.

AFRICA

Gunfire, explosions in Burundi capital amid coup attempt. President returns to Burundi after army says coup bid failed.

African Union calls for dialogue to resolve Burundi political crisis.

Suspected Ugandan rebels kill at least 22 in eastern Congo. 23 dead in new massacres in DR Congo's east: regional official.

Chad Army says it killed 250 Boko Haram militants in airstrikes.

Boko Haram attacks Maiduguri, army repels but hundreds flee.

Mali rebels sign initial peace agreement.

Central African Republic militias free over 350 enslaved children.

South Sudan risks 'catastrophe' with new aid agency law, warn NGOs.

South Africa under scrutiny for 'state xenophobia'.

Eight killed, seven of them children, in rocket strike in Libya's Benghazi.

Human rights abuses surge in North Africa after Arab Spring fallout.

EUROPE

NATO and EU to work together to counter Crimea-style "hybrid" warfare.

Macedonian leaders pledge to avoid unrest as protest nears.

Italy reports 3,600 migrant rescues in two days.

UK police say more than 700 potential terror suspects went to Syria; half returned to UK.

Greece rules out bailout deal that won't allow crisis exit.

Elgin Marbles legal action ruled out by Greece.

Cyprus peace talks raise hopes of an end to a conflict that has haunted Europe.

AMERICAS

Philadelphia mayor rips Amtrak train engineer; NTSB official fires back. Amtrak train crash: eight now dead as officials prepare to interview driver.

House passes bill for Congress to review Iran nuclear deal. Iran deal review bill passes U.S. Congress, heads to Obama.

Brazil prosecutors say Petrobras scheme moved $2.1 billion in bribes.

Argentine government angers foes by questioning top judge's health.

Multiracial coalition unseats Guyana ruling party - election board.

Peru Attorney General Carlos Ramos Heredia dismissed.

U.S. and Cuba to hold another round of talks next week.

New Canada terror database aims to guide government policy.

TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR

Pentagon struggles to counter success of Islamic State social media, info war.

Guantánamo ex-inmate Omar Khadr is a child offender, Canada high court rules.

Islamic State issues audio of Baghdadi calling supporters to join him.

Al Qaeda seen assuming policing role in eastern Yemen.

ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS

Chinese investors flood US entrepreneur Visa program.

Oil prices fall on steady production.

These countries are hoarding the world's gold.

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