BANGKOK – Both government and protesters mourned their dead Sunday after savage street fighting killed 21 people in Thailand‘s capital, but neither side appeared ready to compromise to end a five-year political stalemate that threatens more violence.

Hundreds more were injured when security forces tried Saturday night to clear a demonstrators’ base in the historic district from where they’ve staged disruptive protests in Bangkok for more than a month, seeking to force new elections.

The country’s worst political violence in nearly two decades spurred dozens of countries to warn their citizens about visiting Thailand, where tourism is a lifeblood industry.

Bullet casings, pools of blood and shattered army vehicles littered the streets near a main tourist area where soldiers had pitched nighttime battles with the protesters.

The fighting halted after the army pulled back its troops and initiated an informal truce. However, there was no sign that either side was willing to negotiate the issues underlying the protests.

Read the whole hot breaking news

BANGKOK – Savage clashes between protesters and Thai soldiers killed at least 18 people and injured hundreds before both sides retreated, no closer to ending a monthlong occupation of parts of the capital by demonstrators demanding new elections. Hopes were expressed for negotiations Sunday.

Bullet casings, rocks and pools of blood littered the streets where pitched battles raged for hours Saturday. It was the worst violence in Bangkok since more than four dozen people were killed in an antimilitary protest in 1992.

Army troops pulled back and asked protesters to do the same, resulting in an unofficial truce.

Five soldiers and 13 civilians, including a Japanese cameraman for the Thomson Reuters news agency, were killed, according to the government’s Erawan emergency center.

Editorials in Bangkok newspapers Sunday called for urgent talks between the government and so-called “Red Shirts” to end the violence, noting that some protest leaders were ready for negotiations.

Read the whole hot breaking news

WASHINGTON – Authorities say a crowd sprayed with bullets in a drive-by that killed four and wounded five had just returned from the funeral of man slain nearby and a 20-year-old is suspected in both shootings.

Two men and a 14-year-old boy police say was driving the minivan from which the shots were fired were charged Wednesday with first-degree murder. Tuesday night’s shooting was the worst in D.C. in at least 16 years.

One of the suspects, Orlando Carter, also has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Jordan Howe. Court documents say Howe was killed nine days earlier over a missing gold-colored bracelet.

Authorities say the crowd had gathered in front of an apartment building after his funeral where they were shot.

Police found AK-47 shell casings at the scene.

Read the whole hot breaking news