Images depicting Noah’s Ark and Moses’ parting of the Red Sea have been uncovered at an ancient synagogue in Galilee. The mosaic images are the latest find in a long-term excavation taking place at the 5th-Century Huqoq synagogue. The site is already famous among archaeologists for the wealth of its mosaics, with images of beasts…

The Catholic Bishops of Malawi have signalled a growing threat of famine in the country. In an appeal to the international community for help for six million citizens already affected by food insecurity, the prelates said: “Our hospitals are already reporting higher rates of malnutrition cases with the situation feared to worsen as we approach…

A Coptic Orthodox nun has died after she was accidently caught in a gunfight between rival factions in Egypt. Sister Atahanasia was being driven with two other nuns on the road between Cairo and Alexandria when her car was struck by fire. Suspicions of a terrorist attack were quickly dismissed by investigating officers who revealed…

Vatican employees convicted in Vatileaks II trial Two Vatican officials have been convicted for their parts in the so-called Vatileaks II scandal. Facing a Vatican tribunal for their roles in passing confidential documents to journalists, Msgr Lucio Vallejo Balda was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his part in the leak, while Francesca Chaouqui, a consultant at the Vatican, was…

A worker of the Piacenti restoration centre works on a mosaic in the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank. Photo: CNS

On July 9, Pope Francis issued an edict restoring several financial powers to the Administration of the Patrimony of the Apostolic See (APSA), taking them away from Australian Cardinal George Pell and his Secretariat for the Economy. With power, however, also comes the blame if something goes wrong. There are many ways of analysing the…

Police shootings are just one burden for Black America, writes Paul Keenan