Reuters
Pope Francis: Catholic Church should not have 'leaders for life'
The Roman Catholic Church should not have "leaders for life" in its ranks, otherwise it would risk being like a country under dictatorship, Pope Francis said on Friday.
Death toll from capsized Philippines ferry rises to 41, divers halt search
The death toll after a ferry capsized in the central Philippines rose to 41 on Friday when rescuers recovered three more bodies, but bad weather was hampering the search for another 12 people still missing, the coast guard and police said.
US and Cuba to restore diplomatic ties after 54 years
The United States and Cuba formally agreed on Wednesday to restore diplomatic relations on July 20, setting up a trip to Havana by John Kerry.
US same-sex marriage ruling inspires hope and revulsion in Africa
President Barack Obama hailed last week's Supreme Court decision to allow same-sex marriage as a "thunderbolt" but few share his view of gay rights in socially and religiously conservative Africa.
Fires at black churches in America's southern states fan racial fears
Some were deliberately lit. Others were caused by an electrical fault or lightning. But regardless of the origins, a spike in fires at black churches is fraying nerves at a time of heightened racial tensions across the United States.
Six people killed in post-election violence in Burundi
At least six people, including one policeman, were killed in Burundi's capital on Wednesday, witnesses and a police spokesman said, in the latest violent clash between police and residents since Monday's parliamentary election.
Indonesia calls off search for military plane crash victims
Indonesian authorities will call off a two-day search for victims on Thursday after a military transport plane crashed into a residential area in Sumatra, killing around 140 people, the military said.
Islamist militants launch deadly attacks at Egyptian military checkpoints
Egypt's army said on Wednesday more than 100 militants and 17 soldiers were killed after simultaneous assaults on military checkpoints in North Sinai, in the deadliest fighting in years in the restive province.
South Carolina church on fire 20 years after it was burned down by KKK
An African-American church in South Carolina that was burned down by the Ku Klux Klan 20 years ago was the scene of another blaze on Tuesday, officials and a newspaper said, though the cause was not immediately clear.
Islamic State threatens to topple Hamas in Gaza and 'uproot' Israel in video statement
Islamic State insurgents threatened on Tuesday to turn the Gaza Strip into another of their Middle East fiefdoms, accusing Hamas, the organisation that rules the Palestinian territory, of being insufficiently stringent about religious enforcement.
Greece defaults on â¬1.6 billion IMF repayment
Greece's last-minute overtures to international creditors for financial aid on Tuesday were not enough to save the country from becoming the first developed economy to default on a loan with the International Monetary Fund.
Justin Bieber heads Down Under for Hillsong Church worship
Justin Bieber arrived in Sydney on Monday to attend a week-long gathering at a Hillsong pentecostal church, after the pop star this year vowed to discard his hard-partying image.
Tunisia sees losses of $515 million for tourism this year after attack
Tunisia expects to lose at least $515 million this year following last Friday's attack on a beach hotel that killed 39 people, mostly British holidaymakers.
French beheading suspect denies jihad motivation
The man being held in France under suspicion of beheading his boss and trying to blow up a chemicals plant has told investigators there was no religious motivation behind the attack.
Islamic State one year on: A 'potent' force, says Pentagon
A year after Islamic State declared a caliphate on territory seized in Iraq and Syria, the al Qaeda splinter group faces military pressure from a US-led coalition but remains a potent force holding key cities.
Historic meeting of pope and Russian Orthodox head 'getting closer'
An historic meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church is "getting closer every day,"