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German Chancellor Angela Merkel is urging European Union nations to stick together in the face of new uncertainty over the United States and other challenges. Merkel said Sunday at a campaign event in Bavaria that “the times in which we can fully count on others are somewhat over, as I have experienced in the past few days.”   The comments follow President Donald Trump saying he needed more time to decide if the U.S. would continue backing a key climate accord.   Trump’s stance had led Merkel to describe the just-ended G-7 talks on climate change as “unsatisfactory.”   The …

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British police have arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the Manchester bombing that killed 22 people last week. The arrest was made late Sunday during a raid in the Gorton area of Manchester on “suspicion of offences contrary to the terrorism act,” the Greater Manchester police said in a statement. Earlier in the day, police arrested a 25-year-old and searched his property. Thirteen men remain in British custody in relation to the suicide bombing by Manchester native Salman Abedi, 22, in the lobby of Manchester Arena last Monday just after American pop singer Ariana Grande finished her concert.   …

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For the second day in a row, Pope Francis has expressed his solidarity with Egypt’s Coptic Christians following an attack on a bus carrying Coptic pilgrims to a remote desert monastery.   Francis led thousands of people in prayer Sunday for the victims, who Francis said were killed in “another act of ferocious violence” after having refused to renounce their Christian faith.   Speaking from his studio window over St. Peter’s Square, Francis said: “May the Lord welcome these courageous witnesses, these martyrs, in his peace and convert the hearts of the violent ones.”   The Islamic State group claimed …

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As jittery residents of Manchester, England, try to enjoy a holiday weekend, a group of local bands have drawn 50,000 fans to the city’s first big music event since Monday’s suicide bombing at Manchester Arena. Earlier Saturday, Britain reduced its terrorism threat level from “critical” to “severe.” Extra security, however, was in place at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, on the outskirts of Manchester, for a concert by Manchester bands the Courteneers, the Charlatans, Blossoms and Cabbage. Fans attending the show were asked to arrive early and not to bring bags. Security officers in ball caps and high-visibility jackets were stationed …

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U.S. President Donald Trump has told “confidants,” including the head of the Environmental Protection Agency, Scott Pruitt, that he plans to leave a landmark international agreement on climate change, the Axios news website reported Saturday, citing three sources with direct knowledge. On Saturday, Trump said in a Twitter post he would decide whether to support the Paris climate deal next week. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. A source who has been in contact with people involved in the decision told Reuters that a couple of meetings were planned with chief executives of energy …

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Dozens of Greek and Turkish Cypriots have linked arms across a U.N.-controlled buffer zone cutting across ethnically divided Cyprus’ capital of Nicosia to voice their support for a reunification agreement. Beating drums, blowing whistles and singing traditional Cypriot folk songs, the demonstrators said real peace lies in the hands of ordinary people from both sides of the divide as the Mediterranean island’s reunification talks appear to be faltering. Protesters said Saturday’s event was to remind politicians not to let ordinary people down. On Friday, a U.N. envoy called off mediation efforts with the island’s Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades and …

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Maritime rescues of migrants adrift in the Mediterranean continued unabated on Saturday, with Spanish officials assisting more than 150 refugees in small boats and Tunisian security forces pulling more than 100 others to safety, including seven pregnant women and three children. The latest tally of rescued African migrants seeking a better life in Europe came as Libyan and Italian officials said about 10,000 migrants had been rescued off the coast of Libya this week. The French news agency AFP quoted authorities as saying at least 54 people had drowned. Migrants in need of assistance often are brought to Sicily, but …

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Italy chose to host a Group of Seven summit of wealthy nations on a hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean, looking to draw attention to the migrant crisis that has seen hundreds of thousands of people set sail from Africa in search of a better life in Europe. But world leaders on Saturday said little that will help Italy manage the steady flow of migrants to its shores or enable it to cope with the growing number of new arrivals. “Even though this summit took place in Sicily, a stone’s throw from where so many migrants have died, it produced no concrete …

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Britain lowered its security threat level Saturday to “severe,” Prime Minister Theresa May said, as police continue to make progress investigating the suicide bomb attack in Manchester. British police say they have arrested two more people in connection with the suicide bombing earlier in the week after an Ariana Grande concert. The Greater Manchester Police said on Twitter they arrested two men — ages 22 and 20 — in raids on Saturday. The statement said a “controlled explosion” was used to gain entry to the men’s address in the Cheetham Hill neighborhood. A police tweet said, “A total of 11 …

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