Pope heads to South America to champion the poor and the planet
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis leaves Rome on Sunday for his first trip to Spanish-speaking Latin America, a “homecoming” to a continent where he will champion the rights of the poor and of the planet.
Greece votes in referendum with future in euro in doubt
ATHENS (Reuters) – Greece votes on Sunday on whether to accept more austerity in exchange for international aid, in a high-stakes referendum likely to determine whether it leaves the euro-currency area after seven years of economic pain.
Suspected Congo Ebola victims test negative for the virus
KINSHASA (Reuters) – Six hunters in the Democratic Republic of Congo who fell sick and were suspected to have Ebola have tested negative for the virus, the health minister said on Saturday.
Egypt says 25 militants killed in air strikes as Sisi inspects troops
ISMAILIA, Egypt (Reuters) – Egyptian warplanes killed 25 Islamist militants in North Sinai on Saturday, security sources said, as the Egyptian president visited the province after a major escalation of the conflict there.
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.
