U.S. President Barack Obama said Wednesday the United States and Cuba plan to reopen embassies in Washington and Havana later this month.

Mr. Obama said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will travel to Havana this summer to raise the U.S. flag over the first American embassy there in over 50 years.

Earlier Wednesday, the top American diplomat in Havana delivered a letter from the U.S. to Cuba about restoring embassies in the two capitals.

Cuban President Raul Castro said he is "pleased" to confirm his country will resume diplomatic relations with the United States

Islamic State group claims attacks in Egypt's Sinai

An Egyptian group connected to the Islamic State militants claimed responsibility for attacks Wednesday in the Sinai Peninsula. Egyptian security officials say at least 20 soldiers died in the attacks.

The attacks against several military checkpoints included a suicide bombing near the town of Sheikh Zuweid.

The Islamic State group said the militants hit 15 different checkpoints in the attack.

The attacks came days after a roadside bomb killed Egypt's top government lawyer in Cairo.

Liberian president calls new Ebola case "disturbing"

Liberia has confirmed two mores case of Ebola, a few days after a young boy died from the virus.  

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says while this is very disturbing, she is confident the country has it under control.

President Sirleaf said that health officials are trying to find the source of the newest Ebola cases in her country.

U.S. advances to World Cup final; England and Japan play tonight

The U.S. women's soccer team has advanced to the final game of the FIFA World Cup tournament in Canada. The team beat Germany in a semifinal match on Tuesday, 2-0.

The U.S. team will play the winner of the other semifinal game Wednesday, as 2011 World Cup champion Japan plays England in Edmonton, Alberta.

The World Cup final is Sunday, July 5.

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checkpoint – n. a place where people, cars, etc., are searched by someone (such as a police officer) before being allowed to continue

disturbing –adj. causing concern; worrying