Rio metro breaks down, causing chaos amid papal visit
Rio de Janeiro's subway broke down on Tuesday, causing chaos for throngs of pilgrims in town for a huge Catholic gathering and a papal visit already marked by security lapses.
Brazilians throng streets to greet pope
Tens of thousands of pilgrims packed Rio de Janeiro's streets to greet Pope Francis on Monday, joyfully swarming his car and chanting his name in a country recently rocked by social unrest.
Cambodian jungle graveyard mystifies experts
Over a hundred "burial jars" and a dozen coffins arranged on a ledge in remote Cambodian jungle have for centuries held the bones -- and secrets -- of a mysterious people who lived alongside with the Angkor era.
Contested renovation in Tibet capital complete: media
The controversial renovation of the historic area around a key monastery in the Tibetan capital has been completed.
Oil trafficking funds Kazakhstan's religious extremists
Illicit trafficking in oil and oil products fuels Kazakhstan's shadow economy and provides funding to organized criminal groups, including radical religious movements: official.
Women's prayer tests ultra-Orthodox hold on Western Wall
The singing rises through the early-morning cool which still covers the esplanade in front of the Western Wall, the holiest site at which Jews can pray.
Kazakhstan to spend additional $1.3 billion on countering religious extremism
These are the additional funds. The actual spending on this program exceeds the above amounts: Kazakhstan official.
Wave of Iraq attacks kills 58
Attacks in the Baghdad area and northern Iraq killed 58 people on Monday, the latest in a wave of violence that has raised fears of a return to sectarian conflict in the country.
Sri Lanka monk fights for life after immolation bid
A Sri Lankan monk was fighting for his life Saturday, a day after setting himself on fire to protest the slaughter of cattle.
Indonesian 'Hijabers' buy into an Islamic economy
Indonesian event organiser Risti Rahmadi wears an Islamic headscarf, uses halal lipstick and knows that it's time to pray when an app on her BlackBerry emits Koranic verses five times a day.
Grace church pastor arrested in Astana
Bakhytzhan Kashkymbayev, Pastor of Grace church in Astana, has been arrested and charged with intended infliction of harm to human health.
Kazakhstanis in the ranks of terror organizations: Head of the State Agency for Religions
According to him, the number of people convicted for committing terror-related crimes in 2012 reached 105.
Chinese held in Pakistani Kashmir over Koran abuse
A Chinese man working on an energy project in Pakistan-administered Kashmir was being held Saturday after hundreds of protesters attacked his company offices over the alleged desecration of a Koran.
Kazakhstan's Catholics receive unique golden altar
The official ceremony of passing the Stars of Kazakhstan Altar to Kazakhstan’s Catholics was held in Czestochowa, Poland.
Afghan father guns down daughter over 'affair'
In front of 300 villagers, Halima's father shot her in the head, stomach and waist -- a public execution overseen by local religious leaders in Afghanistan to punish her for an alleged affair.
Pope completes installation with emotional Rome mass
Pope Francis on Sunday completed his installation as pontiff at an emotional ceremony in which he formally took possession of Rome's St John Lateran basilica -- the official seat of the city's bishop.
Abbas confirms Jordan as custodian of Jerusalem holy sites
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas signed a deal with King Abdullah II on Sunday confirming Jordan's historic role as custodian of the holy sites in Jerusalem.
Venezuela candidates torched in Easter effigy
Venezuela's two presidential candidates were burnt in effigy Sunday in an Easter tradition that replaces the biblical Judas Iscariot with disliked public figures.
Pope to celebrate first Easter vigil
Pope Francis is to celebrate his first Easter vigil on Saturday after praying for peace in the Middle East and stronger Christian-Muslim dialogue at a torch-lit ceremony for Good Friday.
Pope marks first Good Friday with torch-lit ceremony
Pope Francis marked his first Good Friday with a traditional torch-lit ceremony around the Colosseum in Rome and prayers for a Middle East "torn apart by injustice and conflicts".