The Indian authorities have briefly lifted a curfew in rioted areas at the states of Uttar Pradesh where clashes between Hindu and Muslim communities have killed at least 38 people in the last few days. An official said the curfew imposed over the weekend was lifted for two hours to allow people to buy essential food items. The clashes were sparked by the killing of three men in a dispute over a harassment of a young woman.
The International Olympic Committee has elected a new President, the German lawyer and IOC Vice President, Thomas Bach. His election as ninth President of the IOC was announced by the outgoing President, Jacques Rogge. From Buenos Aires Alex Capstick reports.
Thomas Bach has been considered the frontrunner in the six man race so it was no surprise when he was elected in a secret ballot. His selection continues the preference for Europeans, eight of the nine IOC presidents have hailed from the continent. He's compiled an impressive dossier: he was an Olympic champion of fencing in 1976 and since joining the IOC has been a long serving member of the policy-making executive board. There were no radical ideas in his manifesto; but he will face challenges, the most immediate is the Sochi Olympics and the controversy surrounding Russia's anti-gay legislation.
An Italian priest has given Pope Francis a 20-year-old car to drive himself around Vatican city. The priest said he was surprised to receive a telephone call from the Pope accepting his written offer. Pope Francis has already used the car, a Renault 4 with 300,000km on the clock. Earlier he called for disused convents to be used to house asylum seekers rather than be turned into luxury hotels to make money for the Roman Catholic Church.