Ukraine: Deadly Clashes In Mariupol As Vladimir Putin Visits Annexed Crimea -- The Guardian
Russian president greeted with patriotic fervour at second world war commemoration, while at least five are killed in southern city
Vladimir Putin made a triumphant first visit to Crimea on Friday, as the region held its first Victory Day commemorations since it was annexed by Russia two months ago. But the gravity of the crisis gripping the rest of Ukraine was underscored by more deadly clashes in the southern city of Mariupol.
Hospitals confirmed that at least five people had died and 40 had been wounded, according to Anna Neistat of Human Rights Watch, who had visited hospitals in the city. She said most had bullet wounds to the legs and chest from automatic weapons, and in one hospital, out of 15 casualties, six were policemen. Two dead bodies were visible on the street outside the police building, one of them of a policeman.
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MIDDLE EAST
Syria regime troops take full control of Homs. Deal breakdown leaves 270 rebels trapped in Syria's Homs.
UN chemical weapons chief: Last of Syria's stockpile inaccessible.
Christians in Israel and Palestine fear rise in violence ahead of pope's visit.
Yemen's defense minister escapes assassination attempt by al Qaeda: security source.
Iran, six powers hold 'useful' nuclear talks; agreement elusive.
Palestinians: Peace talks can continue, despite unity deal.
Hamas executes two men in Gaza as spies for Israel.
‘Prisoner of conscience’: Saudi blogger gets 10 years, 1000 lashes for ‘insulting Islam’.
Budget-strapped Israeli military banks on future US aid.
Saudi Arabia reports seven more deaths from MERS, 10 other cases.
ASIA
Central Asian nations get assurances of no nukes.
Taliban promise renewed offensive as NATO leaves Afghanistan.
Vietnam and China ships 'collide in South China Sea'. Vietnam accuses China of ramming vessels in S. China Sea.
Vietnam escalates dispute with China over oil rig.
China blames U.S. for stoking tensions in South China Sea.
China faces widening threat of attacks.
Bangkok braces for renewed conflict.
'Election' massacres of Muslims darken India immigration debate.
South Korean ferry owner formally arrested.
North Korea unleashes racist slurs against Obama.
Crashed drones were North Korean spy effort, South Korean officials say.
AFRICA
France to 'deploy troops' to fight Sahara militants. French soldier dies in Mali as Paris readies counter-insurgency plan.
ANC claims 'overwhelming mandate' in South African elections. South Africa election: ANC wins huge victory.
Nigeria's president vows to defeat Boko Haram.
Abduction vaults Boko Haram leader into headlines. Waging war in Nigeria, and seeking new battlegrounds.
U.S. prepares to dispatch small team to Nigeria to assist in search for kidnapped girls. Nigeria abductions: US and UK experts help seek schoolgirls.
UN report details S. Sudan abuses.
South Sudan's Kiir in Ethiopia for talks with rebel leader.
CAR violence keeps villagers in fear for their lives.
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Egypt's Sisi turns Islam on the Islamists.
EUROPE
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Putin marks victory in Crimea as Ukraine violence flares.
Putin tests combat readiness as Ukraine separatists press on.
Putin to meet Obama, Merkel at WWII Normandy landing anniversary in France.
Ukrainian troops storm eastern police HQ, building ablaze. Ukraine says Special Op to continue regardless of referendum decision.
Russia says Ukraine has sent 15,000 troops to border.
U.S. administration threatens expanded sanctions if Ukraine referendum goes forward.
Angela Merkel issues warning to Moscow in toughest remarks yet.
Gazprom: Ukraine fails to pay its April gas bill. Kiev refuses to acknowledge $3.5Bln gas debt to Russia.
G7: Europe stuck with Russian gas dependence.
Russia says it has expanded sanctions against the US and Canada.
NATO experts advise Ukraine on nuclear plant safety.
EU's Barroso says Europe divided over Ukraine crisis.
AMERICAS
U.S. Postal Service faces $100B in debts and unfunded benefits.
Violence erupts again in Mexican state where drug wars began.
Mexican cartel allegedly hired MS-13 to carry out torture operation in Minnesota.
US lawmakers focus on America's response to Ukraine crisis.
U.S. lawmakers want Venezuela sanctions; Administration says not now.
Venezuelan policeman killed in Caracas violence. Venezuelan security forces break up protest camps.
Campaign chief for Colombian president resigns.
Water rationing begins in Venezuela amid drought.
Brazil's Rousseff drops in new election poll, rivals gain.
Mexico's Tamaulipas state intelligence chief killed.
Colombia: Hacker tried to sabotage peace talks.
Panama's president-elect plans price controls on basic foods.
TERRORISM/THE LONG WAR
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Hook-handed cleric reveals how he lost forearms at Manhattan terrorism trial.
Boston Marathon Bombing: Tsarnaev lawyers seek to suppress statements.
White House to provide lawmakers access to drone memo authorizing killing of American.
ECONOMY/FINANCE/BUSINESS
Bayer to buy Merck consumer business for $14.2B.
Former Time Warner chief named interim CEO of Los Angeles Clippers.
Publicis-Omnicom $35bn merger deal called off.
'Central Asia and Africa may take place of Switzerland and Singapore as offshore banking havens'.
Apple 'in talks' to buy Beats for $3.2bn.