VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI blessed the faithful from his window overlooking St. Peter’s Square for the first time since announcing his resignation, cheered by an emotional crowd of tens of thousands of well-wishers from around the world.
Finmeccanica unit says India did not cancel helicopter order
LONDON (Reuters) – Italian defense group Finmeccanica's subsidiary AgustaWestland denied on Saturday that India had cancelled a $750 million order for a dozen helicopte rs and said authorities had asked for "clarifications" within a week's time. On Friday, the Indian defense ministry said it had begun the procedure to cancel the order. "The Indian Ministry of Defense has not cancelled the contract but has given notice requesting information within seven days," AgustaWestland said in a statement. "AgustaWestland is preparing its answer to timely meet the Indian authorities' request. … Pistorius girlfriend's family says Reeva is 'back home,' private funeral planned for Tuesday
JOHANNESBURG – The family of Reeva Steenkamp says her body is back in her hometown of Port Elizabeth and a private funeral has been planned for Tuesday.
Hezbollah fighter, 5 Syrian rebels killed in border fighting
AMMAN (Reuters) – At least one Hezbollah guerrilla and five Syria n rebels have been killed in fighting in Syrian territory on the border with Lebanon, nearby Lebanese residents and Syrian opposition sources said on Sunday. Hadi al-Abdallah of the Syrian Revolution General Commission said fighting broke out on Saturday after Lebanese Hezbollah fighters, who are in control of eight Syrian border villages, tried to expand their sphere by moving into three adjacent Sunni villages that were in the hands of the rebel Syrian Free Army. … Tens of thousands join electricity protests across Bulgaria
SOFIA (Reuters) – Tens of thousands of Bulgarians protested in more than 20 cities against high electricity bills on Sunda y, piling pressure on the government after a week of persistent demonstrations. Protesters chanting "It will be the same every day until we win," paralyzed city centers and demanded the resignation of the cabinet and the re-nationalization of power distributors. Electricity prices are politically sensitive in the European Union's poorest member since power bills bite off a big chunk of monthly incomes, especially during the winter. … Egypt protesters block access to port, demand justice
ISMAILIA, Egypt (Reuters) – Thousands of Egyptian protesters blocked access to the harbor and rallied outside state buildings in Port Said on Sunday to demand justice over the deaths of dozens of people killed in riots last month. That violence was triggered by anger over the death sentences handed down to 21 people from Port Said for their involvement in a soccer stadium disaster in the city a year ago in which more than 70 people were killed. …
Analysis: Rise of Islamists frays strategic UAE-Egyptian relations
DUBAI (Reuters) – Days before his overthrow, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak recei ved a senior visitor from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), one of several Gulf monarchies long supportive of the most Arab populous country and its veteran strongman. What transpired between Mubarak and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahayan is not known, beyond the fact that a letter from UAE ruler Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan was delivered. … Lawmaker says Iran will never close nuclear site
TEHRAN,Iran (AP) -- A prominent Iranian lawmaker is saying his country will never close the Fordo nuclear site in exchange for an ease in Western sanctions.
Signs of a thaw with Serbia as Kosovo turns five
PRISTINA (Reuters) – Kosovo marked five years since it seceded from Serbia on Sunday, with flag-filled streets, a military parade and growing signs of progress in EU-mediated talks to regulate relations between the Balkan neighbors. Majority-Albanian Kosovo declared independence in 2008 with the backing of the Western powers which waged a NATO air war in 1999 to wrest control of the territory from late Serb strongman Slobodan Milosevic. … 8 Arab civilians detained by military in Timbuktu
TIMBUKTU, Mali (AP) -- Eight Arab men have been detained by the military in Timbuktu, raising fears of further reprisals against the region’s Arab minority, whose members are accused of having supported the al-Qaida-linked fighters who had ruled northern Mali for most of the past year.
Taking a hike in the Holy Land on the Jesus Trail
For Christian pilgrims in hiking boots, Israel's 36-mile Jesus Trail offers glimpses of the kind of biblical scenery the master Christian may have seen as he made the rounds in verdant Galilee.
Egypt soccer protests hit restive Port Said city
PORT SAID, Egypt (AP) -- Thousands of soccer fans have enforced a work stoppage in Egypt’s restive city of Port Said to protest “injustices” by the government, disrupting rail services and forcefully evicting workers from their factories and the provincial government’s offices.
Israeli former FM Lieberman pleads not guilty as trial starts
JERUSALEM (Reuters) – Israel's former foreign minister, Avigdor Lieberman, pleaded not guilty on Sunday to charges of fraud and breach of trust at the start of a trial that has put the ultranationalist's political career into doubt. The allegations led Lieberman, a key ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to resign from cabinet two months ago. As head of the ultranationalist Yisrael Beitenu faction, he joined forces with Netanyahu's right-wing Likud in last month's general election. The joint list came first in the ballot but with fewer parliamentary seats than forecast. … Italy caretaker PM Monti appeals for pre-election debate
ROME (Reuters) – Caretaker Prime Minister Mario Monti, leading a centrist bloc in Italy's national election, appealed to his main rivals on Sunday to ag ree to a television debate before next week's vote. The former economics professor and European commissioner has struggled during his first-ever political campaign, and polls show him in fourth place and with no momentum. … 
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