• Pope Francis reforms scandal-ridden Vatican Bank in hopes of making it ‘boringly successful’

    Pope Francis reforms scandal-ridden Vatican Bank in hopes of making it ‘boringly successful’

    Jul 10, 2014 12:47 AM EDT

    ... pope's finance czar, in an interview with The Boston Globe today, the idea is to get the Vatican off the gossip pages and to make it boringly successful. HARI SREENIVASAN: And what are some of the reasons why it is not as successful as it used to be? We ...

  • Pope pledges neutrality in World Cup

    Pope pledges neutrality in World Cup

    Jun 13, 2014 05:22 PM EDT

    ... word because Brazil and Argentina are always opponents," Francis told the paper. On Thursday, Francis issued a video message that urges players and fans to make the World Cup a showcase for teamwork and solidarity and not an demonstration of racism and greed. Argentina plays its first match Sunday, against ...

  • For Brazil, it’s not just about winning World Cup, it’s winning with style

    For Brazil, it’s not just about winning World Cup, it’s winning with style

    Jun 12, 2014 09:25 PM EDT

    ... other teams should people be watching? What are you -- who are you watching? TOMMY SMYTH, ESPN: Well, I'm going to be watching -- I mean, Argentina certainly are a team that you're going to have to watch. They're playing in South America. They have one of -- arguably the ...

  • Pope completes spiritual pilgrimage in Holy Land calling for unity and peace

    Pope completes spiritual pilgrimage in Holy Land calling for unity and peace

    May 26, 2014 09:49 PM EDT

    While the pope's spokesman said that Francis had "no political agenda or proposals to make" during his trip to Israel, Francis' presence in the Holy Land, in Palestinian territory and Jerusalem, was filled with political implications. After meeting with Israeli survivors of the Holocaust, Francis unexpectedly went and prayed ...

  • Should scientists bring extinct species back from oblivion?

    Should scientists bring extinct species back from oblivion?

    Apr 22, 2014 02:27 PM EDT

    ... breeds that have survived in poorer parts of Europe where modern breeds of cattle aren’t as available. The process of breeding these cattle to make them more like their ancestors is called “back breeding.” The foundation has already produced 150 crossbred cattle, said Goderie. The first of these crossbred ...

  • A new study: How overpaid CEOs tank their firms

    A new study: How overpaid CEOs tank their firms

    Feb 26, 2014 10:43 PM EDT

    ... like Switzerland have entertained capping compensation so that what the highest-paid workers take-home can’t exceed 12 times what the lowest-paid employees make (though a referendum to that effect was defeated at the polls), America’s business culture -- indeed its national mythology -- feeds on the possibility of ...

  • Taking apart Iran's nuclear program

    Taking apart Iran's nuclear program

    Feb 21, 2014 09:26 PM EDT

    ... s known as yellowcake powder and then converted to a gas. Uranium oxide contains two main parts, or isotopes: uranium-235 and uranium-238. To make an atomic bomb or power a nuclear power plant, the uranium needs to contain more of the uranium-235 than the uranium-238. That ...

  • Recent confirmation hearings raise eyebrows at ambassador nomination criteria

    Recent confirmation hearings raise eyebrows at ambassador nomination criteria

    Feb 18, 2014 02:30 AM EDT

    Gaffes made by a fresh crop of ambassadorial nominees — several of them Obama campaign donors — have stirred up consternation about political appointments to diplomatic positions. Gwen Ifill gets analysis from former Foreign Service officer Nicholas Burns and Walter Russell Mead of The American Interest.

  • Opinion: Is your money safe at the bank? An economist says 'no' and withdraws his

    Opinion: Is your money safe at the bank? An economist says 'no' and withdraws his

    Jan 30, 2014 05:45 PM EDT

    The Fed policies of Ben Bernanke and Janet Yellen, who begins her term Feb. 1, are making former Harvard economist Terry Burnham withdraw his money from Bank of America.

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    Cardinal claims homosexuality is a defect, 'like high blood pressure'

    Jan 20, 2014 08:28 PM EDT

    [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="480"] Pope Francis has gained high approval ratings amongst Catholics and non-Catholics worldwide for his humility and moderately progressive views. However, recent remarks by Archbishop Fernando Sebastian Aguilar calling homosexuality a "defect," stand in contrast the pontiff's views. Photo by Guiseppe Cacace/AFP/Getty Images[/caption] Controversial remarks made by Spain's newest cardinal have landed...