World

Father of Colorado gunman pleads for his son's life in court
Bob Holmes said his son James was "a really excellent kid" who became mentally ill.

Confounding pundits: Donald Trump doubles lead over Jeb Bush in latest poll
Republican presidential aspirant Donald Trump has been stirring controversy over the past weeks due to his unfiltered views about divisive issues, but a recent survey revealed he is still favored among other candidates, especially by dissatisfied voters.

Boy Scouts of America faces protests from religious groups after allowing gay leaders
The Boy Scouts of America is facing protests from religious groups after its decision to allow homosexuals to lead the youth organizationâone of the biggest in the United States.

Ukraine: Russian Patriarch plays intricate political game in letter to Putin and Poroshenko
"Blood is being shed and people are being killed in Ukraine," said Patriarch Kirill.

Biblical name confirmed by inscription on 3,000-year-old jar
The large ceramic jar was found to be inscribed with the name Eshbaal ben Beda.

Gaddafi's son sentenced to death by Libyan court
Libyan court passed a death sentence in absentia on Muammar Gaddafi's most prominent son, Saif al-Islam, on Tuesday for war crimes and acts to crush peaceful protests during the country's 2011 revolution that ended his father's rule.
Antarctica is losing its only Catholic priest
Staff cutbacks and declining attendances mean that Roman Catholics will no longer serve the Chapel.

Pakistan: 1,000 girls forced to convert to Islam every year
Every year, at least 1,000 Pakistani girls are forced into Muslim marriages and made to convert to Islam, according to a recent report.

Oklahoma's Ten Commandments monument must go, says court in blow to conservatives
Its location violates the state constitution's ban on the use of state property for the benefit of religion.

Holocaust comment fallout: Huckabee draws fire from Obama and Bush but gets support from Cruz, Santorum and Trump
Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee earned the ire of President Barack Obama after he criticized the president's nuke deal with Iran, even going as far as comparing it to the horrific events of the Holocaust.

Turkey and US plan IS-free zone along Turkish border
Attacks will sweep Islamic State fighters from a strip of land along the Turkish border.

US Scout movement lifts ban on gay leaders in face of church protests
The 105-year-old Texas-based organisation has been deeply divided over the policy.

Louisiana governor warns members of hate group: 'Come here and we'll lock you up'
Louisiana Governor and Republican presidential bet Bobby Jindal vowed to arrest the hate group Westboro Baptist Church if they try to hold a rally at the funeral of the victims of the shooting at a movie theater in Lafayette.

Mosque records link Tennessee shooter to Boston Marathon bombers, 9/11 hijackers
The mosques attended by the gunman in the Chattanooga, Tennessee shooting, Boston Marathon bombers and 9/11 hijackers are affiliated with the same Islamic group, according to property records obtained by the New York Post.

'In God We Trust' decals put on Missouri police patrol vehicles draw mixed views
A Missouri county police is drawing reactions after it put decals bearing the words "In God We Trust" on all of its patrol vehicles, sparking debate if this violates the First Amendment's Establishment Clause.

Jerusalem: Violent clashes at contested holy site
Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at a group of Palestinian youths on Sunday as clashes broke out at the contested al-Aqsa mosque plaza in Jerusalem.