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Europe March 17, 2017

Czar bust in Crimea reportedly appears to shed tears

Russian news reports say curious and pious people are visiting a bust of the last czar in the Crimean capital after reports spread that the sculpture appeared to be weeping.

RELIGION March 16, 2017

New Vatican figures show deficit narrowed by half in 2015

The Vatican has issued new figures showing it narrowed its deficit by half in 2015 to 12.4 million euros ($13 million).

Europe March 16, 2017

Irish nationalists seek boost in Northern Ireland election

The Irish nationalist Sinn Fein party is seeking gains in an early election that could shape the fate of Catholic-Protestant cooperation in Northern Ireland.

RELIGION March 16, 2017

Guam archbishop: Settlements promising end to abuse lawsuits

The leader of Guam's Catholic Church believes financial settlements could be a good solution for the archdiocese, which is facing $115 million in civil lawsuits alleging child sexual abuse at the hands of priests.

RELIGION March 16, 2017

China says Dalai Lama border visit would damage India ties

China is warning of "severe damage" to relations with India if the Dalai Lama proceeds with a visit to a disputed area along their border.

Europe March 16, 2017

Rival groups race for control of Syria's Raqqa

A major battle to liberate the Islamic State group's stronghold of Raqqa in northern Syria is looming, with U.S. officials looking to build on momentum from victories on the battlefields of Mosul in Iraq.

Europe March 16, 2017

Experts find mass grave at ex-Catholic orphanage in Ireland

Forensics experts say they have found a mass grave for young children at a former Catholic orphanage in Ireland where suspicions of unrecorded, unmarked burials have lingered for decades.

Europe March 16, 2017

Pope to address EU leaders at Vatican ahead of summit

The pope will meet with European Union leaders a day before a special summit marking the 60th anniversary of the bloc's founding treaty.

US March 16, 2017

Indonesians shocked by Trump, but still admire US values

Indonesians are by turns shocked and bemused by Donald Trump's volatile presidency, but many in the world's most populous Muslim nation say his personality and actions — including his controversial travel ban — haven't changed their positive view of the United States.

Europe March 16, 2017

Israeli and Iranian musicians unite for Tel Aviv concert

Israeli rocker Aviv Geffen broke into "The Hope Song," a signature hit he wrote after the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin that is often referred to as the Israeli version of John Lennon's "Imagine." But his peace anthem took on new meaning when his on-stage partner sang along in Farsi — the language of Israel's archenemy Iran.