Pope closes South America trip urging youths to ‘make a mess’

Pope Francis waves as he arrives to visit the Banado Norte neighborhood in AsuncionBy Philip Pullella and Daniela Desantis ASUNCION (Reuters) – Pope Francis left for Rome on Sunday at the end of a trip to South America during which he censured capitalism, championed the rights of the poor, warned of irreversible damage to the planet and urged youths to "make a mess". At a final rally in Paraguay, Francis urged tens of thousands of youths to look after their less fortunate peers and fight for a dignified life filled with hope and strength. A mess which gives us a free heart, a mess which gives us solidarity, a mess which gives us hope." It was not the first time Francis has called on young people to shake things up, repeating a mantra he voiced in Brazil in 2013 when he urged youngsters to demand a more outward-looking Catholic Church.

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NAACP votes to end boycott of South Carolina over Confederate flag

The Confederate battle flag is permanently removed from the South Carolina statehouse grounds during a ceremony in ColumbiaThe resolution was approved during the NAACP&;s annual convention in Philadelphia. South Carolina removed the flag on Friday to chants of "USA, USA!," after three weeks of emotional debate over the banner, a symbol of slavery and racism to many, but of Southern heritage and pride to others. The Confederate flag was raised atop the South Carolina State House dome in 1961 as part of centennial commemorations of the American Civil War.

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At Rio’s ‘midnight’ Olympics performance may suffer

Residents play beach volleyball during at night on Copacabana beach, where the Olympic beach volleyball will take place in Rio de JaneiroBy Stephen Eisenhammer RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) – Rio de Janeiro may have a penchant for late-night parties, but scheduling of events past midnight at next year&;s Olympic Games could be a real test of endurance for the world&039;s greatest athletes. Academics and athletes fear the late hour could hinder performance and result in fewer world records and displays of athletic mastery at Rio 2016 as competitors struggle to adjust training and sleep patterns. The schedule, partly the result of broadcast contracts, will see some swimming finals, beach volleyball and basketball matches run into the early hours.

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