Pope demands ‘action now’ to save planet from environmental ruin
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) – Pope Francis demanded swift action on Thursday to save the planet from environmental ruin, urging world leaders to hear “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” and plunging the Catholic Church into political controversy …
Zimbabwe youth feel corruption’s sting
BULAWYO, Zimbabwe (Thomson Reuters Foundation) – Mikah Mbewe performed dismally in his high school examinations and decided the next best thing to make sure he could find a good job was to get a driver’s license.
U.S. training for Syrian rebels moving slower than expected: Pentagon
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. effort to build a moderate Syrian opposition force that can stand up to Islamic State rebels is moving more slowly than expected due to complications vetting volunteers and bringing them out of Syria for training, the Pe…
Chad says it bombs Boko Haram bases in Nigeria; Nigeria denies it
N’DJAMENA (Reuters) – Chad’s military said it had carried out air strikes against Boko Haram bases in Nigeria in retaliation for twin suicide bombings in Chad this week that killed at least 34 people, but the announcement was strongly rejected by Niger…
Brazil senators say bus attacked on Venezuela visit to prisoners
CARACAS, Venezuela (Reuters) – Brazilian senators seeking to visit jailed opposition leaders in Venezuela on Thursday said their minibus was stoned and blocked, forcing them to return to the airport.
Militant group denies U.S. air strike killed Algerian Belmokhtar
NOUAKCHOTT (Reuters) – The Sahara-based Islamist group al-Mourabitoun on Thursday denied reports that veteran Algerian militant Mokhtar Belmokhtar, one of its leaders, was killed in a U.S. air strike in eastern Libya last week.
Thousands rally in Athens for Greece to stay in euro zone
ATHENS (Reuters) – Several thousand demonstrators chanting “Europe! Europe!” rallied in front of parliament in Athens on Thursday calling for Greece to keep the euro, as the country edged nearer to a default that could force it out of the single curren…
Russia talking with U.S. on assigning blame for Syria gas attacks
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Russia said it has made some suggestions on how blame could be determined for chemical weapons attacks in war-torn Syria and will discuss the issue on Friday with the United States, which is pushing for the creation of a team…
Venezuela’s Maduro calls Trump a ‘bandit’ for Mexico remarks
CARACAS (Reuters) – Venezuela’s President Nicolas Maduro branded U.S. presidential hopeful Donald Trump a “bandit” and “thief” after he accused Mexico of sending criminals to live in the United States.
U.S. to face differences with China head on at talks next week
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States said on Thursday it would not “paper over” differences between the United States and China when top officials of the world’s two largest economies meet to discuss financial and political strategy in Washington n…
