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Pope Says 'Happy to Write New Page in History' with UAE Visit

Pope Francis said he was looking to write a new page in the history of relations between religions with his visit to the United Arab Emirates from Sunday.

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Italian Prisoners to be Allowed Family Video Chats

Italian convicts will be able to video chat with relatives via Skype up to six times a month, the justice ministry said Wednesday.

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British Creatives Urge BBC to Oppose Israel Hosting Eurovision

Fashion designer Vivienne Westwood and Pink Floyd singer Roger Waters were among dozens of figures from Britain's creative industries urging the BBC on Wednesday to oppose Israel hosting this year's Eurovision Song Contest.

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Jehovah's Witness Awaits Verdict in Russian Trial

A Jehovah's Witness arrested in Russia two years ago for extremism is to hear the verdict next week, supporters said Wednesday, as he could spend more than six years in jail.

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In God's Name: How Extremists Hijacked Pakistan's Blasphemy Laws

Politicians have been assassinated, European countries threatened with nuclear annihilation and students lynched, all in the name of combating blasphemy in Pakistan, where the legal punishment for insulting the Prophet Mohammed is death.

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Kuwaiti MP Sentenced to 7 Years for 'Tricking' Wife

A Kuwaiti court on Monday sentenced an opposition politician to seven years in jail for failing to tell his wife he divorced her and continuing to have sexual relations with her, her lawyer said.

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Pope Says Priest Celibacy Not 'Optional'

Pope Francis said Monday celibacy for priests was a "gift to the Church" and not "optional", nixing the prospect of married men being ordained.

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Voulez-Vous Take It Outside? Italy-France Row Gets Personal

Baguette in hand, beret tilted jauntily, the Parisian looks down at the rowdy, pasta-scoffing Roman: they may be stereotypes, but perceived French smugness is again being blamed for a falling out with Italy.

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LGBT Teen Shines as France's Eurovision Pick

At the tender age of 19, Bilal Hassani is already being held up as an inspiration to LGBT teenagers -- and now he's got his sights on winning the Eurovision Song Contest.

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Thai Pop Idol Condemned for Nazi Swastika T-shirt

A member of Thailand's most popular all-girl band has apologized for wearing a shirt with a Nazi flag featuring a swastika, after her TV appearance drew "shock and dismay" from the Israeli embassy Saturday.

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