From NPR News in Washington, I'm Windsor Johnston.

 

　　Demonstrations are planned in cities across the nation today to protest George Zimmerman's acquittal on murder charges in the shooting death of an unarmed teenage last year. The former neighborhood watch volunteer was found not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges after an altercation with 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. In an interview with NPR, Pastor C.J. Haynes of the New Salem Primitive Baptist Church in Sanford says now that the verdict has been issued, it will be a time of healing for everyone involved.

 

　　“The case has run its course. It's has gone through the process. We have to move forward and show love and respect for all the parties and hopefully to help reconcile the communities together.”

 

　　President Obama this afternoon issued a statement on the outcome of the case. He said the death of Trayvon Martin was a tragedy not just for his family or for any one community but for America. The Justice Department says the FBI will continue to evaluate the evidence generated during the federal investigation, as well as the evidence and testimony from the state trial. They want to see if it reveals any prosecutable violations of federal criminal civil rights statutes.

 

　　A faulty track is the probable cause of a commuter train accident near Paris Friday, which killed six people. NPR's Eleanor Beardsley reports.

 

　　Officials said no more bodies were found after giant cranes worked through the night to remove the overturned cars from the tracks at Bretigny-sur-Orge, an hour south of Paris. The accident in the middle of rush-hour Friday shocked the country on the eve of the Bastille Day weekend. As the investigation into the accident begins, questions are being asked about the level of investment in rail infrastructure in France. The French are proud of their extensive passenger rail system, but critics say the state has spent too heavily on high-speed rail to the detriment of classic rail. Speaking at traditional Bastille celebrations today, President Francois Hollande promised more investments in the country's classic inner-city rail network. Eleanor Beardsley, NPR News, Paris.

 

　　Seventeen people are still missing and presumed dead after a train derailed and exploded in the middle of a small town in Quebec more than a week ago. The bodies of 43 others have been recovered. The train carrying crude oil derailed, crashing into buildings in a bar full of people. Lieutenant Michel Brunet told CTV that two badly damaged buildings will have to be torn down.

 

　　“We want to use the explosive right now. We don't need it. We have a mechanical device on the scene. It could proceed very easy way with that, and we got some experts just working with us.”

 

　　Yesterday the bell at the 92-year-old St. Agnes Church rang once for each person believed to have died.

 

　　Fire officials in Nevada say some people who live near Las Vegas will be allowed to return their homes. Firefighters say a wildfire is now 60% contained. This is NPR.

 

　　At least 23 people are dead and dozens of others were wounded after a series of explosions ripped through Shiah cities of Baghdad. The attacks took place shortly before a Muslim faith(ful) broke their fast today. The latest incident followed shootings and bombings in the north earlier in the day that killed six people.

 

　　Nelson Mandela remains hospitalized in South Africa, but his health is improving, according to several people who've recently visited him. NPR's Jason Beaubien reports that Mandela has been in critical condition now for more than five weeks.

 

　　Former South African President Thabo Mbeki says that Nelson Mandela could be released from a Pretoria hospital soon. The anti-apartheid leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate was rushed to a hospital on June 8th. Mandela has suffered for years from recurring lung infections that began during his 27 years in prison. Thabo Mbeki says he expects the liberation hero to be discharged to recuperate at home. Mandela's wife Graca Machel over the weekend also said her husband's condition appears to be improving, and that she is now less anxious about his health. Jason Beaubien, NPR News, Johannesburg.

 

　　In Egypt, a leading advocate of reform was sworn in today as the country's interim vice president. Mohamed ElBaradei is a former diplomat and Nobel laureate, who headed the main opposition group before the military removed President Mohamed Morsi from power nearly two weeks ago. Thousands of his supporters maintain a vigil in Cairo, calling for his reinstatement. Morsi was Egypt's first democratically elected president and has not been seen in public since his ouster.

 

　　I'm Windsor Johnston, NPR News in Washington.