June 22, 2016 Francis lauds Benedict's prayerful life in book forward Pope Francis is paying homage to his predecessor in the forward of a new book, saying Pope Benedict XVI's decision to retire to a life of prayer is a lesson to all priests that their main job is to pray for others.
June 22, 2016 Egyptian mob reportedly burns 80 Christian homes on rumor of new church An angry crowd of Muslims reportedly looted and burned the homes of 80 Christian families in an Egyptian village Friday after rumors circulated that they want to build a church.
June 22, 2016 Cabinet strips top Shiite cleric in Bahrain of nationality Bahrain has stripped a leading Shiite cleric in the Arab Gulf country, Sheikh Isa Qassim, of his Bahraini nationality following a request from the Interior Ministry.
June 22, 2016 UN official urges Bahrain to ensure human rights The United Nations special adviser on preventing genocide is urging Bahrain to ensure freedom of speech and assembly.
June 22, 2016 Official: Egyptian's hijack crime scotched Cyprus asylum bid A Cyprus Asylum Service official says an Egyptian hijacker fighting his extradition could have been granted asylum because of his declared opposition to Egypt's government, but the fact he committed such a serious offense wrecked his chances.
June 22, 2016 Volunteers in UAE stock 90 'Ramadan fridges' for workers Volunteers in the United Arab Emirates have set up more than 90 outdoor refrigerators where laborers and others can pick up food and bottled water, a charity initiative in honor of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan.
June 22, 2016 Gaza slum growth illustrates economic plight, bleak future The expansion of Gaza's el-Zohor slum, where barefoot children play in the rusty skeletons of discarded vehicles surrounded by mountains of garbage, is a sign of the times in Gaza, where poverty is growing and there is little hope for the future.
June 22, 2016 Pope invites refugees to join him on stage for audience Pope Francis has invited a dozen refugees to join him on the steps of St. Peter's Basilica for his general audience to press his demand for Europe to welcome more migrants.
