Stories for September 28th 2015

Monday, September 28th 2015 - 11:15 UTC
Francis leaves Philadelphia with “a heart full of gratitude and hope”

Pope Francis left Philadelphia and is headed back to Rome on Sunday night, bringing his historic trip to the U.S. and Cuba to a close. The pope's airport farewell included appearances from Vice President Joe Biden, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf, as well as a performance by a high school band.
Monday, September 28th 2015 - 11:08 UTC
Francis pledges clergy and bishops abusing children will be held accountable

Pope Francis has celebrated a large open-air Mass in Philadelphia, ending his six-day visit to the US. He appealed for unity and family love, as thousands of people gathered at the city's Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Earlier, the pontiff prayed with a group of victims of child sexual abuse, saying “God weeps” for their suffering.
Monday, September 28th 2015 - 10:57 UTC
Shell stops Arctic oil exploration following 'disappointing' results

Royal Dutch Shell has stopped Arctic oil and gas exploration off the coast of Alaska after “disappointing” results from a key well in the Chukchi Sea. In a surprise announcement, the company said it would end exploration off Alaska “for the foreseeable future”.
Monday, September 28th 2015 - 10:45 UTC
Record soy and corn crops forecasted in South America because of stronger dollar and El Niño

A combination of weather, currency and political factors should result in another huge South American crop of corn and soybeans, further depressing grain and oilseed prices, says an analyst, according to a report from Canada's The Western Producer. 
Monday, September 28th 2015 - 10:35 UTC
Brazil has sufficient reserves, but Rousseff concerned about companies with dollar debts

Brazil President Dilma Rousseff cited the nation's foreign currency reserves as a backstop to excessive volatility and weakness in the Brazilian Real.
Monday, September 28th 2015 - 10:21 UTC
Brazil supports Paris conference and pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions 37% by 2025

President Dilma Rousseff pledged on Sunday to slash Brazil’s greenhouse gas emissions by 37%, during her speech to the UN General Assembly. Outlining her vision for a global climate change agreement on Sunday, Rousseff stressed on the importance of a “common response”.
Monday, September 28th 2015 - 10:15 UTC
Guyana and Venezuela agree to restore ambassador and hold talks

Following a tense meeting, the presidents of Venezuela and Guyana agreed Sunday to restore ambassadors and hold talks to resolve a long-running border dispute that flared up recently following the discovery of oil in disputed waters.
Monday, September 28th 2015 - 10:05 UTC
“One billion tourists, one billion opportunities”, UN message on World Tourism Day

Marking the observance of World Tourism Day, senior United Nations officials are spotlighting the transformative potential of one billion tourists and their increasing capacity to help boost socio-economic and environmental development.
Monday, September 28th 2015 - 09:58 UTC
Catalonia separatists take control of regional parliament but short of the 50% vote targeted

Separatists in Catalonia won control of their regional parliament Sunday in an election that they vowed would set them on the road to independence from Spain. The region's nationalist president Artur Mas declared victory to a cheering crowd of flag-waving supporters after an emotional election that has heightened tensions with Madrid.