March 25, 2016 Thousands rally in Baghdad in support of Shiite cleric Thousands have rallied in Baghdad in support of firebrand Iraqi Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr who has taken the lead role in protests demanding government reforms.
March 25, 2016 Filipino nailed to cross prays for Belgium, Philippines A Filipino devotee has been nailed to the cross for the 30th time in a Lenten ritual and offered his sacrifice for peace in Belgium and other countries targeted by Islamic extremists.
March 25, 2016 Blasphemy cases rise in Egypt and Christians bear the brunt In the video, the Egyptian Christian teens laugh playfully as a couple of them kneel down, imitating Muslim prayers, then another slides his hand under one boy's neck, imitating the trademark beheadings of the Islamic State group.
March 25, 2016 Pope washes feet of Muslim refugees on Holy Thursday, says 'We are brothers' Pope Francis heads to a refugee center to wash and kiss the feet of Muslim, Orthodox, Hindu and Catholic migrants in a gesture of welcome at a time when anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant sentiment has spiked following the Brussels and Paris attacks.
March 24, 2016 Vatican seeks to calm concern about retired pope's health The Vatican is seeking to temper concern about Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI's health after his longtime secretary said he was "like a candle that slowly and calmly goes out." The Vatican spokesman, the Rev. Federico Lombardi, said Thursday that Benedict's condition doesn't raise "any particular concerns" for a man who turns 89 next month.
March 24, 2016 The Latest: Syrian forces poise to retake IS-held Palmyra The Latest on fighting against Islamic State group in Syria and Iraq (all times local): 11:35 a.m.
March 24, 2016 UAE terror charges dropped for Libyan-Americans, Canadian A lawyer for a Libyan Canadian on trial in the United Arab Emirates says prosecutors have dropped terrorism charges in the case, which includes two Libyan Americans, and have instead charged them with the lesser offense of illegally raising funds.
March 24, 2016 The Latest: Former war crimes tribunal spokeswoman detained The Latest on the verdict in the case of Bosnian Serb wartime leader Radovan Karadzic (all times local): 12:45 p.m.
March 24, 2016 Bomb near Syrian border kills Lebanese soldier, wounds 3 A Lebanese army official says a bomb has targeted a military vehicle in eastern Lebanon near the border with Syria, killing one soldier and wounding three.
