A vast plain near Syria is no stranger to military carnage. But a place known as "Potbelly Hill" holds ruins built in ancient times, possibly for ritual purposes, long before organized religion.
Jeffrey Fowle, 56, who was arrested in North Korea in May after allegedly leaving a bible in a club for foreign sailors, arrived at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base this morning.
Roman Catholic bishops openly addressed hot-button topics that included questions about gays and Catholics who are divorced or remarried. Rarely has a synod attracted such attention.
Catholic bishops finished a two-week gathering at the Vatican on Saturday. Their discussions focused on the family and controversial issues, including gays and divorcees. But many were disappointed.
Earlier this week an interim summary of the synod on family issues included conciliatory language on gays and on the taking of holy communion for divorced church members.
We take a look at viewpoints from the Catholic and secular media about a stunning interim report released by a synod of bishops meeting at the Vatican.
An assembly of Roman Catholic bishops calls for the church to welcome gays, unmarried couples and those who have divorced. Steve Inskeep talks to Joshua McElwee of the National Catholic Reporter.