December 22, 2016 Pope denounces resistance to reform in Christmas greeting Pope Francis has denounced the resistance he is encountering in reforming the Vatican bureaucracy, saying some of it is inspired by the devil and that the prelates who work for him must undergo a process of "permanent purification" to serve him and the Catholic Church better.
December 22, 2016 Held on obscenity charges, Egyptian author freed from prison An Egyptian author walked out of a Cairo police station on Thursday after a court suspended his two-year prison sentence pending review of his appeal on obscenity charges.
December 22, 2016 US-based cleric rejects links to Russian envoy's killing A U.S.-based Muslim cleric has condemned the killing of Russia's envoy to Turkey and rejected accusations that his movement was behind the attack.
December 22, 2016 Queen, Philip set off for Christmas trip after delay Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip are on their way to their country estate to celebrate Christmas after the couple delayed their trip for a day due to illness.
December 22, 2016 Pope in Christmas speech blasts Vatican resistance to reform Pope Francis on Thursday denounced the resistance he's encountering in reforming the Vatican bureaucracy, saying some of it is inspired by the devil and that the prelates who work for him must undergo "permanent purification" to serve the Catholic Church better.
December 22, 2016 Muslim businessman erects tallest Christmas tree in Baghdad as symbol of solidarity A Muslim businessman says he has erected the tallest Christmas tree in Baghdad as a show of solidarity with Christians during the holiday season.
December 22, 2016 Clashes erupt in Bahrain town that's home to Shiite cleric Police in Bahrain are clashing with residents of a besieged town that is home to a Shiite cleric.
December 22, 2016 Mongolia says Dalai Lama will not be allowed future visits Mongolia's foreign minister says the Dalai Lama will no longer be allowed to visit his country after a visit by the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader prompted protests from China and a suspension of talks on a major loan.
December 21, 2016 Vandals put pig head, fake blood on Ukraine rabbi's grave Ukrainian prosecutors have opened a probe into an attack on an important Jewish pilgrimage site in a central Ukrainian town.
