A top Burundian general launched a coup attempt against President Pierre Nkurunziza today, after weeks of violent protests against the president's bid for a third term.
	General Godefroid Niyombare, a powerful former intelligence chief who was sacked earlier in the year, announced via a private radio station that the president had been overthrown hours after he left for neighbouring Tanzania for talks with regional leaders.
	He also ordered the closure of Bujumbura airport and the landlocked central African nation's borders.
	The outcome of the coup was uncertain, however, with the presidency dismissing what it said was an "imaginary coup" and vowing the perpetrators would be brought to justice. The Tanzanian government said President Nkurunziza was flying back home.
	Pro-Nkurunziza troops were still in control of key institutions, including the presidential palace and state broadcaster, an AFP correspondent and witnesses said. Troops fired warning shots to stop demonstrators from ...

Top Burundi general launches coup attempt against president

PTI Automatic

Rescuers today combed through the mangled wreckage of a derailed train in Philadelphia after an accident that left at least six dead, as the difficult search for possible survivors continued.
	Mayor Michael Nutter said the death toll could rise from the derailment on the busy northeast US rail corridor as some of the 243 people on the train had not been accounted for.
	He gave the injury toll as 65 but local media said it had risen to more than 140, based on a tally of people sent to local hospitals.
	Herbert Cushing, the chief medical officer at Temple University Hospital, told reporters the death toll rose to six after a patient died during the night.
	Witnesses said the front of Amtrak Train 188, heading from Washington DC to New York, shook as it went into a turn and crashed at about 9:30 pm yesterday (0130 GMT today).
	Shell-shocked and bleeding travelers were seen limping from the wreckage, while rescue teams with flashlights searched the seven derailed cars of the train, one of 

At least six killed in US train derailment

North Korea launched live-fire drills near the disputed sea border with South Korea late today, a media report said, amid high tensions over Pyongyang's recent submarine-launched ballistic missile test.
	The reported firing drills -- some shot from a war ship -- came just hours after Pyongyang informed South Korea of its plans to conduct the exercise.
	The artillery rounds were fired near the South's Baengnyeong and Yeonpyeong islands, but none landed on the south side of the disputed border in the Yellow Sea, the Yonhap news agency reported.
	The North's military has said it will stage the firing drills any time between 3:00 pm (0600 GMT) Wednesday and midnight Friday in its territorial waters, South Korea's Defence Ministry said.
	The North's plans, contained in a message sent through a military hotline, prompted South Korean troops to step up vigilance along the Yellow Sea border, a ministry spokesman told AFP.
	For its drills, the North's coast artillery designated two areas near .

N Korea launches firing drills in Yellow Sea: Yonhap

The Iraqi government said today that several top jihadist leaders were targeted in a coalition air strike in the northwestern area of Tal Afar.
	"Based on accurate intelligence, an air strike was carried out by the international coalition targeting the number two in the Daesh terrorist organisation Abu Alaa al-Afari," the ministry of defence said in a statement.
	Daesh is an Arabic acronym for the Islamic State organisation, which took over swathes of Iraq last year.
	It was not clear from the statement whether Afari was killed in the strike, which the ministry said targeted a gathering in the Martyrs' Mosque in Tal Afar's Al-Ayadiya district.
	The statement did not say when the raid was conducted, and the US-led coalition which has been pounding IS targets in Iraq and Syria did not immediately confirm the operation.
	Afari's name emerged last month in reports claiming that IS head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was incapacitated in a coalition strike and handed over the helm of the ...

Iraq says top IS leaders targeted in coalition strike

The Islamic State group today claimed responsiblity for an attack by gunmen on a bus that killed at least 43 Shiites in Pakistan's biggest city Karachi.
	"Thanks be to Allah, 43 apostates were killed and around 30 were wounded in an attack carried out by Islamic State soldiers on a bus transporting Shiite Ismaili infidels in the city of Karachi," the extremist group said in a statement posted on jihadist Twitter accounts.
	It was the first official claim of responsibility by the IS leadership of an attack in the Afghanistan-Pakistan region.
	IS, which has seized control of large parts of Syria and Iraq, announced in January the creation of a branch in what it called "Khorasan province", encompassing Afghanistan, Pakistan and parts of surrounding countries.

IS claims deadly attack on Shiites in Karachi

At least 28 people were killed and dozens more feared dead after a fire tore through a factory producing flip-flops in the Philippine capital Manila today, the city's fire marshal said.
	Firemen said they counted 28 bodies but were only able to retrieve three as the gutted building threatened to collapse after the blaze, which began before noon (0400 GMT), destroyed the building.
	"They were lying side by side, but all I could see were their bones," the Manila fire marshal, Senior Superintendent Sergio Soriano told AFP.
	Rex Gatchalian, mayor of the industrial suburb of Valenzuela where the blaze occurred, told AFP before the death toll was announced that 67 workers were unaccounted for.
	Factory guard Mervin Ardes, one of the survivors, told AFP "more than 50" people were at work at the time of the disaster.
	The fire sent a huge column of black smoke above the metropolis of 14 million people.
	"I'm hoping against hope that they're still alive," Gatchalian said of the ...

28 killed, dozens more feared dead in Philippines factory fire

A top Burundian general today announced the overthrow of President Pierre Nkurunziza, following weeks of violent protests against the president's bid to stand for a third term.
	General Godefroid Niyombare, a powerful former intelligence chief, announced the coup attempt hours after the president left for neighbouring Tanzania for talks with regional leaders on ending the crisis.
	"President Pierre Nkurunziza is removed from office, the government is dissolved," General Niyombare said in the radio broadcast.
	"All people are asked to respect the lives and property of others," he added.
	Niyombare is a highly respected figure who was sacked from his position as the central African nation's powerful chief of intelligence in February.
	The general said on private radio that he was committed to the democratic process and would work with others towards holding elections.
	He said he would form a "committee for the restoration of national harmony," a temporary body whose "mission, among ...

Top Burundi general launches coup against president

NATO and Afghan leaders today agreed on a framework for a future joint military-civilian presence in Afghanistan when the alliance's current mission ends, NATO's Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.
	While the new mission would have a military component it would notably be led by a civilian, Stoltenberg said after a session of the NATO foreign ministers meeting in the Turkish city of Antalya attended by Afghan Foreign Minister Salahuddin Rabbani.
	NATO is currently leading the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan to train Afghan security forces after the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) wound up late last year.
	"We took a major decision," Stoltenberg told reporters. "We will maintain our presence in Afghanistan even after the end of our current mission."
	"Unlike our present mission, our future presence will be led by civilians."
	He said the future mission "will have a light footprint but will have military component."
	Stoltenberg said NATO offices had been ...

NATO, Afghanistan agree on future military-civilian mission

The Islamic State jihadist group has seized large parts of a strategically located town in Syria's central Homs province in clashes that killed 48 soldiers and militants, a monitor said today.
	The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the extremist group had captured areas of Al-Sukhnah and its surroundings in fighting that began overnight.
	The town lies on the highway that leads from eastern Deir Ezzor province, an IS stronghold, to the ancient town of Palmyra.
	Palmrya is controlled by the regime and home to spectacular Greco-Roman ruins that are listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
	"The Islamic State managed to advance in Al-Sukhnah and take control of large parts of the town and the surrounding areas," the Britain-based Observatory said, adding that clashes were continuing Wednesday.
	The group said at least 28 regime forces -- soldiers and pro-government militants -- and 20 IS fighters had been killed in the battles.
	More than 100 fighters from both sides were ...

48 dead as IS fights army in Syria's Homs: monitor

Economic migrants who attempt to reach the European Union by crossing the Mediterranean should be turned back, Britain said today, even as the Royal Navy rescued 445 people packed into inflatable boats.
	Home Secretary Theresa May's comments come amid an EU row over how to address a crisis that has seen thousands of migrants drown fleeing conflict and poverty in North Africa and the Middle East.
	In an article in The Times newspaper, May also said that a proposal for EU states to accept a binding quota of refugees would only encourage more to make the dangerous sea crossing.
	"The EU should work to establish safe landing sites in North Africa, underpinned by an active programme of returns," she wrote.
	She added: "I disagree with the suggestion by the EU's high representative, Federica Mogherini, that 'no migrants' intercepted at sea should be 'sent back against their will'.
	"Such an approach would only act as an increased pull factor across the Mediterranean and encourage more ...

Mediterranean migrants should be turned back: UK

US Secretary of State John Kerry today warned Russia that now was a critical time to implement a fragile peace deal to end the fighting in Ukraine, after his talks with President Vladimir Putin raised hopes of a slackening in tensions.
	Kerry said there was an "enormous moment of opportunity" to bring to an end over a year of fighting in eastern Ukraine between government forces and pro-Russia separatists which has dragged relations between Moscow and the West to a new post-Cold War low.
	Kerry, speaking at the NATO foreign ministers' meeting in the southern Turkish city of Antalya hours after talking with Putin in Russia, said that the alliance was in "unanimity" on the importance of this year's Minsk truce agreement being fulfilled by Moscow.
	"I think there was strong agreement among all of the NATO members that this is a critical moment for action by Russia, by the separatists, to live up to the Minsk agreement."
	He added that it was also "critical" for observers from the ...

US says 'critical' for Putin to live up to Ukraine truce

Japan is readying to lift the lid on what could be its most effective global marketing gimmick yet: the high-tech toilet seat.
	Few foreign visitors make it through their first day in Japan without singing the praises of this epitome of Japanese know-how; a contraption that offers both comforting warmth and a frighteningly accurate bidet jet.
	Now the government appears ready to capitalise on the enthusiasm and is set to talk up toilet technology as it launches a worldwide drive to promote Japan's prowess in innovation for the smallest room, according to the Yomiuri Shimbun.
	Clean toilets equipped with various features "will be a plus for tourism", and will be included in a growth strategy to be compiled this summer, the newspaper said, citing unnamed sources.
	The government will consider installing more high-tech toilets in areas frequented by tourists, such as airports, the Yomiuri said.
	The nation might also produce promotional videos for foreigners in a bid to showcase the ...

Japan heading for toilet diplomacy

Japan today began its first ever military trade fair, with a particular focus on maritime security at a time of rising regional tensions over territorial squabbles.
	The three-day fair, organised by a private British company with the backing of Japan's defence and trade ministries, comes as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe pushes to boost the role and capability of his well-equipped military.
	Amongst other things, that means re-thinking their rules of engagement to allow them to fight to defend an ally -- something most administrations have said was impossible under Japan's pacifist constitution.
	The government has also moved to lessen restrictions on the home-grown weapons industry, allowing it to sell more hardware abroad in an effort to boost the sector.
	The new rules could allow Tokyo to supply weaponry to nations that sit along important sea lanes to help them fight piracy -- an important strategic consideration for resource-poor Japan.
	"This is a great opportunity for us as a small 

Japan hosts first global arms fair

King Salman doubled Saudi Arabia's aid commitment to Yemen to USD 540 million on Wednesday, the first day of a humanitarian pause in a bombing campaign it has led against its neighbour.
	"We announce that we are setting aside one billion riyals (USD 266 million) for aid and humanitarian operations... In addition to more than one billion riyals (USD 274 million) we had already pledged," the official Saudi Press Agency quoted the king as saying.
	On April 18, the kingdom pledged the entire USD 274 million sought by the United Nations in an appeal for emergency assistance to help victims of the war in Yemen.
	The UN said that that money would "meet the life-saving and protection needs of 7.5 million people affected" by a deepening humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
	"Projects and partners have been identified for implementation of the grant but money has not been disbursed yet, so it is still a pledge," Jens Laerke, spokesman for the UN humanitarian agency OCHA, said yesterday.
	Before the ...

Saudi king doubles Yemen aid pledge to USD 540 mn

Investigators and lawyers said today that they have built war crimes cases against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and key institutions of his regime with documents smuggled out of the country.
	The Commission for International Justice and Accountability (CIJA) has already built three cases against the regime for crimes against humanity and is continuing to assemble evidence against others in the regime as well as in the opposition.
	The CIJA said in an email that the cases, first reported by Britain's Guardian newspaper on Wednesday, were largely based on government documents smuggled out of Syria by a team of 50 investigators who had risked their lives to collect the evidence that now runs to around half a million pages.
	The group is also building up possible war crimes cases against rebel groups fighting Assad, including extremist ones, and has hired staff to review hours of video evidence.
	So far, the CIJA has compiled three cases against the regime based mostly on its bloody ..

Investigators say have war crimes case on Syria's Assad

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's coalition stressed its desire today to achieve peace with the Palestinians and other Arab states as he prepared to present his new government.
	"The Jewish people have the undisputable right to a sovereign state in the Land of Israel, its national and historic homeland," read the coalition guidelines presented to parliament.
	"The government will advance the diplomatic process and strive to reach a peace agreement with the Palestinians and all our neighbours, while maintaining Israel's security, historical and national interests," they read.
	Any such agreement would be submitted to parliament, known as the Knesset, for approval "and if necessary by law, to a referendum".
	Netanyahu's new government is set to include ministers intent on expanding Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank and east Jerusalem, an issue that has repeatedly derailed peace talks.
	During campaigning for the March 17 election, Netanyahu ruled out the ...

Netanyahu government says wants peace with Palestinians

Kevin Pietersen joked on Twitter that he had applied for the England coaching job on Wednesday, a day after being sidelined by new director of cricket Andrew Strauss.
     "Morning all, after a pretty bad day yesterday I've given it a lot of thought overnight," Pietersen wrote to his 2.56 million followers. "I'm applying for the coaching job! #StraussLogic"
     Strauss revealed on Tuesday that Pietersen, 34, will not be selected for England in the immediate future, citing a "massive trust issue" between him and the South Africa-born batsman.
     England are currently without a coach following the dismissal of Peter Moores last weekend.
     Pietersen, England's leading all-time run-scorer across all formats, was axed by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) last year following a 5-0 Ashes whitewash defeat in Australia.
     But after new ECB chairman Colin Graves opened the door to a recall by suggesting that he could force his way back into the team by playing county cricket, ..

Pietersen jokes about England coaching job

British unemployment has struck a seven-year low point, official data showed today, further boosting the new government.
	The number of unemployed dipped 35,000 to 1.83 million people during the first quarter, touching the lowest level since 2008, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said in a statement.
	That took the unemployment rate for January-March to 5.5 percent -- the second lowest in the European Union after Germany, and compared with 5.6 per cent for the three months to February.
	And in another lift for Britain's Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron -- who successfully fought last week's general election on his economic record -- there was a record number of people in work.
	Employment soared to an all-time high of more than 31 million people, after a gain of 202,000 in the three months to March. That took the employment rate to a record 73.5 per cent.
	In addition, average earnings increased by 1.9 in the year to March, 0.2 percentage points up from the previous ..

UK unemployment strikes 2008 low: official data

Investigators and lawyers have built war crimes cases against Syria's President Bashar al-Assad and key institutions of his regime with documents smuggled out of the country, a report said today.
	The Guardian newspaper said the Commission for International Justice and Accountability (CIJA) had already built three cases against the regime for crimes against humanity and is continuing to assemble evidence against others in the regime as well as in the opposition.
	The British daily said the cases were largely based on government documents smuggled out of Syria by a team of 60 investigators who had risked their lives to collect the evidence that now runs to around half a million pages.
	The group is also building up possible war crimes cases against rebel groups fighting Assad, including the jihadist Islamic State group, and has hired staff to review hours of video evidence.
	So far, the CIJA has compiled three cases against the regime based mostly on its bloody suppression of ...

Investigators have war crimes case on Syria's Assad: report

Chinese police carry out "appalling" torture of criminal suspects, campaigners said today, as they released a report detailing Beijing's failure to combat abusive interrogations.
	Despite China saying it has addressed the issue of forced confessions through a series of reforms, prosecutors and judges "ignore clear evidence of mistreatment" while police are covering up abuse, the report from Human Rights Watch (HRW) said.
	The New York-based campaign group said police manipulate video interrogations so that confessions are made on camera, while torture -- using methods that leave no visible injuries -- takes place out of sight.
	The use of ruthless "cell bosses" -- fellow detainees who oversee detention centres for the police -- was also widespread, the report said.
	Suspects are sometimes strapped into metal "tiger chairs" for days, deprived of sleep and food as their legs and buttocks become swollen, according to the report, titled 'Tiger Chairs and Cell Bosses: Police Torture of ...

Torture, abuse of suspects widespread in China: NGO

The United States today voiced fears for the lives of the hundreds of migrants abandoned by traffickers at land and sea, calling on Southeast Asian nations to co-operate to address the crisis.
	Waves of Bangladeshis and Myanmar Rohingyas have fled poverty and persecution in rickety boats across the Bay of Bengal at the hands of people traffickers running a thriving and lucrative regional smuggling network.
	In the last fortnight thousands of desperate migrants have been abandoned by smugglers, some in remote jungle camps and others aboard boats, following a recent crackdown against the trade by Thailand.
	Most migrants were making the journey "because of the dire humanitarian and economic situations they face at home and/or out of fear of ethnic and religious violence," a spokeswoman at the US Embassy told AFP.
	"This is a regional challenge that needs to be addressed regionally, through a coordinated international effort and in accordance with international conventions and maritime ..

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