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Cassocks competition: whose outfit will new pope wear?
For decades, one Rome tailor has been making the white cassock new popes don immediately after election -- but this conclave it has competition.
Catholic Church's direction in the balance as conclave looms
Catholic cardinals will enter into conclave this week to choose a new pope, with the Church's 1.4 billion members holding their breath over an uncertain outcome.
Trump orders rebuilding and reopening of defunct US prison Alcatraz
US President Donald Trump said Sunday he had directed officials to rebuild and reopen Alcatraz prison, the notorious federal jail based on a small island in California that closed six decades ago.
Brazil police foil Lady Gaga gig bomb plot
Brazilian police said Sunday they had arrested two people in connection with a foiled plot to attack Lady Gaga's packed mega-concert in Rio de Janeiro.
UNESCO says Nicaragua quitting over press prize award
Nicaragua has notified UNESCO of its withdrawal from the organisation in response to its press prize going to a Nicaraguan newspaper in exile, the UN culture agency's head said on Sunday.
Church donation box goes digital in Greece
Devout regulars attending Athens's main Roman Catholic church that honours a first-century saint have discovered a 21st-century update: their donation box is now hooked up to a digital payments system.
Mexican mayor arrested in probe of alleged drug cartel ranch: govt source
A federal official said a mayor in western Mexico was arrested as part of a probe into a suspected drug cartel training camp, where forced recruits were allegedly tortured or killed if they refused to cooperate.
Seven Iranians among eight arrested in UK counterterrorism probes
British police on Sunday said eight people, including seven Iranian nationals, were arrested in two separate counterterrorism probes.
4 Iranians among 5 arrested in UK for 'terrorism offences': police
British police on Sunday said they had arrested five men, including four Iranians, on suspicion of "preparation of a terrorist act".
Sexual abuse of nuns: one of the Catholic Church's last taboos
Nuns sexually assaulted by priests are one of the last Catholic taboos, but with reports of abuse rising, it is a scandal that will be difficult for the future pope to ignore.
Mozart chocolate row leaves bitter taste in Austria
At a small high-end confectionery in Vienna, chefs put the finishing touches to one of Austria's signature souvenirs: Mozart chocolate balls filled with marzipan, pistachio, and rich almond and hazelnut nougat.
Cardinals meet ahead of vote for new pope
The cardinals of the Catholic Church held their ninth in a series of near-daily meetings at the Vatican on Saturday ahead of the election of a new pope.
Cardinals meet ahead of papal election
The cardinals of the Catholic Church held their ninth in a series of near-daily meetings at the Vatican on Saturday ahead of the election of a new pope.
France charges 21 prison attack suspects
Prosecutors said Saturday that 21 suspects in a series of coordinated attacks on French prisons had been charged, including two teenagers.
Lives on hold in India's border villages with Pakistan
On India's heavily fortified border with arch-rival Pakistan, residents of farming villages have sent families back from the frontier, recalling the terror of the last major conflict between the rival armies.
Inflation, hotel prices curtail Japanese 'Golden Week' travels
Japan's annual "Golden Week" holiday period gets into full swing Saturday, but inflation and hotel prices sent soaring by record inbound tourism have left domestic travellers less eager to pack their bags.
'Devastated' Prince Harry says no UK return but seeks reconciliation
Prince Harry said Friday he wanted to reconcile with Britain's royal family, but was "devastated" at losing a court battle over his security that meant he felt unable to return to the country with his family.
'Devastated' Prince Harry says no return to UK but seeks royal reconciliation
Prince Harry said Friday he wanted to reconcile with his estranged family, but was "devastated" at losing a court battle over his security that meant he could not return to the UK with his family.
Major offshore quake causes tsunami scare in Chile, Argentina
A strong offshore earthquake caused a tsunami scare in the far south of Chile and Argentina on Friday, with authorities evacuating residents of coastal areas for hours before scaling back the threat level.
Chile, Argentina order evacuations over post-quake tsunami threat
Chilean authorities issued a tsunami warning for the country's southernmost region Friday morning and both Chile and Argentina ordered evacuations after a major 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of South America.
Lawyers probe 'dire' conditions for Meta content moderators in Ghana
Lawyers are probing "dire" workplace conditions for Meta content moderators in Ghana, attorneys involved in the investigation told AFP, in what could turn into the latest dispute over the social media giant's labour practices in Africa.
Watchdog accuses papal contenders of ignoring sex abuse
As cardinals prepare to elect a new pope, campaigners warned Friday that neither of the frontrunners, Pietro Parolin nor Luis Antonio Tagle, would protect children and stamp out clerical sex abuse.
Vatican chimney installed ahead of papal conclave
Firefighters installed the chimney atop the Sistine Chapel on Friday which will emit white smoke to signal the election of a new pope as preparations proceed just five days before cardinals gather for the conclave.
EU wins post-Brexit fishing row with Britain
The European Union on Friday won a landmark case against Britain at the world's oldest arbitration body over post-Brexit rights to fish sandeels, a tiny North Sea species.
Orgies, murder and intrigue, the demons of the Holy See
Sexual predators, crooked financiers, spies and a spattering of murderers: while the Vatican may appear an earthly garden watched over by its beloved saints, it also has its demons.
French prison attacks linked to drug traffickers, say prosecutors
Prosecutors said Friday a series of coordinated attacks on French prisons were carried out by drug traffickers, with at least one suspect thought to have ties to a notorious cartel.
UK comedian Russell Brand arrives at court to face rape charges
British comedian and actor Russell Brand arrived at court in central London on Friday to face five charges of rape and other sexual offences.
Bangladesh's influential Islamists promise sharia as they ready for polls
Bangladesh's Islamists are readying to make political gains after being crushed for years by the government that was overthrown in a mass uprising last year, rallying hardline loyalists for eagerly anticipated elections.
Fearing Indian police, Kashmiris scrub 'resistance' tattoos
Thousands in Indian-administered Kashmir with "resistance tattoos" including assault rifles inked to oppose New Delhi's authority have been lining up to scrub them from their bodies, fearing police retribution after a deadly attack on tourists last week.
Australian triple-murder suspect never asked after poisoned guests: husband
An Australian woman accused of murdering three people by dishing up a toxic mushroom-laced beef Wellington never asked after her dying guests' wellbeing, her husband told a court Friday.
'Alarming deterioration' of US press freedom under Trump, says RSF
Media rights group RSF warned Friday about "an alarming deterioration in press freedom" in the United States under President Donald Trump as well as "unprecedented" difficulties for independent journalists around the world.
Sean 'Diddy' Combs sex crimes trial to begin Monday
Jury selection is set to begin Monday in New York in the blockbuster trial of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, who dramatically fell from grace following his incarceration on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.