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Xinhua world news summary at 0030 GMT, May 15

Xinhua, May 15, 2015 Adjust font size:

The United States would consider using military force to defend Gulf nations in the event of an external threat to their territorial integrity, U.S. President Barack Obama said Thursday.

The U.S. is prepared to work jointly with Gulf nations to " deter and confront" an external threat to any Gulf state's territorial integrity that is inconsistent with the United Nations charter, Obama said, reaffirming what he called "iron-clad commitment" to the security of Gulf partners. (US-Gulf States-Pledge)

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JERUSALEM -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's right-wing new coalition government was sworn in late Thursday night, after the parliament approved it by a razor-thin 61-59 majority.

The swearing-in ceremony of Israel's 34th government was delayed by some two hours due to last-minute disagreements over ministerial appointments. (Israel-Netanyahu-Government)

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DAMASCUS -- The Syrian government forces backed by the air force are engaged in battles against the Islamic State (IS) group at the outskirts of the millennia-old oasis city of Palmyra in central Syria, the state news agency SANA said Thursday, as another army unit hoisted the Syrian flag atop the peak in a contested rugged region near the Lebanese borders.

The army unites are hunting down the terrorists of the IS group at the eastern and northern outskirts of Palmyra in the eastern countryside of Homs province, said SANA, adding that the air force also took part in the battles and killed tens of the IS fighters during intensive airstrikes. (Syria-IS-Battle)

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BUJUMBURA -- Burundian President Pierre Nkurunziza has arrived back in the country on Thursday, a day after the attempted coup while he was in Tanzania for a regional meeting, the presidency said. (Burundi-Security )

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GAZA -- Around 50 Palestinians were injured on Thursday in an explosion at one of the training facilities belonging to Palestinian militants in northern Gaza Strip, medics and security officials said.

Ashraf al-Qedra, Gaza health ministry spokesman, told Xinhua that about 50 people got various serious and moderate injuries in a huge explosion in a military training facility at al-Atatra area in northern Gaza Strip. (Palestinians-Blast-Gaza) Endi