Thursday, May 27

*) Employee shoots, kills 8 at California rail yard An employee opened fire at a California rail yard, killing eight people before taking his own life, authorities have said. The shooting took place in two buildings that are part of a light rail facility for the Valley Transportation Authority. A man wounded in the attack was in critical condition at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, a spokesperson said. *) Mali’s transitional president resigns while in detention Mali's interim president and prime minister have both resigned two days after they were arrested by the military. President Bah Ndaw and Prime Minister Moctar Ouane were taken to a military base outside the capital after a Cabinet reshuffle. The intervention led by Colonel Assimi Goita has jeopardised Mali's transition back to democracy after a coup in August overthrew former President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita. *) Anti-election rallies in Syria as Assad seeks mandate Thousands have hit the streets of Syria's Idlib in a boisterous rally against Wednesday's presidential elections. Voting in Syrian regime-held areas of the war-torn country is set to give leader Bashar al Assad a fourth seven-year term and has been dismissed as a sham by Turkey, the Syrian opposition and Western countries. Crowds in Idlib chanted against Assad, reviving slogans used in the early days of the uprising against him. *) More than 150 feared dead in Nigeria boat accident More than 150 people are feared drowned in northwest Nigeria after an overloaded boat sank in the Niger River. The boat was travelling between central Niger state and Wara in northwest Kebbi state when it sank, National Inland Waterways Authority local manager Yusuf Birma told reporters. President Muhammadu Buhari said the accident was "devastating" and offered his condolences to families. And finally ... *) Amazon to buy MGM, studio behind James Bond and 'Shark Tank' Online shopping giant Amazon is buying MGM with the hopes of filling its video streaming service with more stuff to watch. Amazo