VATICAN CITY

Pope will confront bishops over abuse

The Vatican said Saturday that Pope Francis had summoned 31 Chilean bishops to Rome to thrash out their roles in covering up sexual abuse by priests and the church’s ‘‘grave omissions’’ in caring for victims. In a strong statement that set the tone for next week’s meetings, the Vatican said Francis wanted to discern responsibilities for the crisis and map changes in the Chilean church to prevent these ‘‘devastating wounds’’ from recurring. (AP)

ITALY

Berlusconi can run again, court rules

ROME — An Italian court has ruled that former three-time Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi is eligible to seek public office again, nearly five years after a tax fraud conviction that sidelined him as a candidate. Political gridlock could result in a second national election this year. Milan’s Surveillance Tribunal made the decision after reviewing a request from lawyers for the 81-year-old Berlusconi,who founded a center-right political party a quarter-century ago. (AP)

YEMEN

115 die in fighting over western zone

SANA — Fighting over two days in western Yemen has killed at least 115 people on both sides of the conflict pitting forces loyal to a Saudi-led coalition against Iran-backed Shi’ite rebels. Yemeni officials said Saturday the clashes west of the province of Taiz also wounded dozens. They said the forces loyal to the coalition backing the internationally recognized government seized control of some rebel-held areas in western Yemen. (AP)

MALAYSIA

Former leader told not to flee country

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s new leader, Mahathir Mohamad, said Saturday that defeated Prime Minister Najib Razak and his wife have been barred from leaving the country to prevent them from avoiding possible prosecution over a corruption scandal. Najib and his wife, Rosmah Mansor, had planned to take a private jet to Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, days after a shocking electoral defeat ended his coalition’s 60-year grip on power. (AP)

CONGO

UN sending drugs to combat Ebola

KINSHASA — Ebola vaccines will be shipped as quickly as possible to Congo as the number of suspected cases in the latest outbreak grows, the World Health Organization said. WHO Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus said Friday the agreement was made in a phone call with Congo’s health minister. Two cases of Ebola have been confirmed in a remote northwestern part of the country. (AP)