International News

Pope begins Greek island visit to highlight refugee plight

  • LESBOS, Greece, (APP/AFP) – Pope Francis on Saturday arrived on the Greek island of Lesbos for a high-profile visit that will again turn the spotlight on a controversial EU deal to end an unprecedented refugee crisis. “This is a voyage marked by sadness, a sad voyage,” the pope told reporters during the flight from Rome. […]

  • Brazil faces protests as impeachment vote looms

    BRASMLIA, (APP/AFP): Brazil faces noisy protests and rowdy debates in congress Saturday as this year’s Olympic host country heads for a vote on whether to drive President Dilma Rousseff from office. The Sunday vote could topple the 68-year-old leftist leader, in a political crisis threatening to destabilize Latin America’s biggest economy as it struggles through […]

  • Despite Obama, no revolution expected at Cuba party congress

    HAVANA, (APP/AFP): Cuba’s communist party gathers Saturday for a rare party congress less than a month after US President Barack Obama’s historic visit, but Cubans eager for change are likely to be disappointed. Held every five years, party congresses normally are the main political event in a one-party system like Cuba’s that brooks no dissent. […]

  • Scores trapped as new Japan quake toll hits 18

    KUMAMOTO, Japan, (APP/AFP): Scores of people were feared buried alive after a second powerful quake hit southern Japan Saturday, killing at least 18, and sparking collapses and fires, barely 24 hours after the first disaster struck. Hillsides gave way as huge landslides swamped houses and severed transport links, while fires engulfed several homes. Buildings were […]

  • Yemen at critical crossroads, UN envoy tells UNSC

    UNITED NATIONS, (APP): Yemen is now at a critical crossroads, the UN envoy for the Arab country Friday told the Security Council, with one path leading to peace while the other can only worsen the security and humanitarian situation. “This briefing comes on the eve of the next round of face-to-face talks in Kuwait, where […]

  • Italy insists ‘no invasion’ after spike in migrant arrivals

    ROME, (APP/AFP): Italy insisted Friday it was not facing an “invasion” after a spike in migrant boat crossings from Libya exacerbated fears the country is on the verge of becoming the main entry point for people trying to reach Europe. Nearly 6,000 mostly African migrants have landed at southern Italian sports since Tuesday but Prime […]