Ecuador’s Correa laments protests ahead of Pope’s visit
QUITO (Reuters) – On the eve of Pope Francis’ arrival, Ecuador’s President Rafael Correa lamented on Saturday “cowardly” anti-government protests which he said were intended to spoil the first leg of the pontiff’s tour of his home region.
Car bombs kill 11 in Baghdad at end of Ramadan fast
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Two car bombs killed 11 people in the Iraqi capital Baghdad on Saturday, police and medical sources said, striking as many people were ending their daily Ramadan fast.
Tunisia’s president declares state of emergency after hotel attack
TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi declared a state of emergency on Saturday, saying the Islamist militant attack on a beach hotel that killed 38 foreigners had left the country “in a state of war”.
Despite progress in Iran nuclear talks, dispute over U.N. sanctions persists
VIENNA (Reuters) – Iran and world powers made progress on future sanctions relief for Iran in marathon nuclear talks on Saturday, but remained divided on issues such as lifting United Nations sanctions and the development of advanced centrifuges.
Syrian army and Hezbollah lay siege to rebel-held border city
BEIRUT (Reuters) – The Syrian army and the Lebanese Hezbollah militia said they had launched a major ground and air assault on the rebel-held Syrian city of Zabadani on Saturday and were closing in on insurgents holed up inside.
Fidel Castro, 88, visits cheese-makers in rare public appearance
HAVANA (Reuters) – Former Cuban President Fidel Castro, 88, visited 19 cheese masters for four hours on Friday in a rare trip outside his Havana home, official media reported on Saturday.
No let-up for Malaysia’s PM after state fund graft allegations
KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) – Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak came under fresh pressure on Saturday after statements from colleagues opened up the prospect of further probes into alleged corruption around the debt-laden state fund 1MDB.
Saudi says wanted militant killed in exchange of fire
CAIRO (Reuters) – Saudi Arabia’s interior ministry said on Saturday a wanted militant, a supporter of Islamic State, had been killed in an exchange of fire with police when he refused to surrender.
U.S., allies conduct 14 air strikes in Syria, nine in Iraq: military
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S.-led forces conducted 14 air strikes against Islamic State militants in Syria and nine in Iraq on Friday, the task force conducting the operation said.
Iraqi jets drop leaflets over Mosul promising to recapture city
BAGHDAD (Reuters) – Iraqi jets dropped leaflets over Mosul telling residents that Islamic State fighters would soon be driven from the northern city, saying details of the operation would be broadcast on a new radio station.
