WASHINGTON (AP) — A 30-scroll set of nature paintings from the 1700s that is owned by Japan’s royal family and considered a cultural treasure is being shown in its entirety for the first time outside of the country at an exhibit in Washington. The “Colorful Realm of Living Beings,” created more than 250 years ago by artist Ito Jakuchu, consists of intricate paintings of birds, flowers, insects, fish and other animals on vertical silk scrolls. It opens to the public... Read more

BEIRUT (AP) — Syrian troops shelled rebel-held neighborhoods in Homs on Monday, the latest barrage in a bombardment that has lasted several days and appeared to be the groundwork for an assault to push the fighters out of the country’s third largest city. Also Monday, Turkey closed its embassy in Damascus and recalled its ambassador as relations between the former allies continue to deteriorate. The outlawed Muslim Brotherhood meanwhile announced that if President Bashar Assad were overthrown it would work... Read more

NEW DELHI (AP) — A Tibetan exile lit himself on fire and ran shouting through a protest in the Indian capital Monday, just ahead of a visit by China’s president and following self-immolations in the Himalayan region against Beijing’s rule. The protester apparently had doused himself with something highly flammable and was engulfed in flames when he ran past the podium where speakers were criticizing China and the visit by President Hu Jintao. Fellow activists beat out the flames with... Read more

SANTIAGO, Cuba (AP) — This sun-scorched city is accustomed to playing second fiddle to Havana at the other end of Cuba. On Monday, though, Santiago comes first as Pope Benedict XVI arrives and brings the world’s gaze with him. Authorities have raised huge steel arches in the shape of a papal miter above a blue-and-white altar where Benedict will celebrate Mass on Monday and urge residents of this communist-run country to seek salvation in faith. Roman Catholic youth held a... Read more

SANTIAGO, Cuba (AP) — This sun-scorched city is accustomed to playing second fiddle to Havana at the other end of Cuba. On Monday, Santiago de Cuba gets a real day in the sun because Pope Benedict XVI is beginning his Cuba trip here. Authorities have built huge steel arches in the shape of a papal miter above a blue-and-white temporary altar where Benedict will celebrate Mass on Monday and urge residents of this communist-run country to seek salvation in faith.... Read more

SANTIAGO, Cuba (AP) — This sun-scorched city is accustomed to playing second fiddle to Havana at the other end of Cuba. On Monday, Santiago de Cuba gets a real day in the sun because Pope Benedict XVI is beginning his Cuba trip here. Authorities have built huge steel arches in the shape of a papal miter above a blue-and-white temporary altar where Benedict will celebrate Mass on Monday and urge residents of this communist-run country to seek salvation in faith.... Read more

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Defense lawyers plan to attack the credibility of the troubled adult accusers when two Roman Catholic priests go on trial in a landmark child sex-abuse case. But that strategy took a hit Thursday when a co-defendant entered a last-minute guilty plea. Defrocked priest Edward Avery’s plea confirms one accuser’s account of a brutal 1999 sexual assault inside a church sacristy. The plea leaves Monsignor William Lynn and the Rev. James Brennan on trial on Monday. The 61-year-old... Read more

EL CAJON, Calif. (AP) — The body of an Iraqi-American woman who was found brutally beaten next to a note saying “go back to your country, you terrorist” was being prepared to be flown to Iraq for her funeral, Muslim leaders say. Shaima Alawadi, 32, was taken off life support on Saturday, three days after her 17-year-old daughter found her unconscious in the dining room of the family’s El Cajon home in suburban San Diego. Investigators said they’re exploring all... Read more

SANTIAGO, Cuba (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Cuba on Monday in the footsteps of his more famous predecessor, gently pressing the island’s longtime communist leaders to push through “legitimate” reforms their people desire, while also criticizing the excesses of capitalism. In contrast to the raucous welcome Benedict received in Mexico, his arrival in Cuba’s second city was relatively subdued: While President Raul Castro greeted him at the airport with a 21-cannon salute and military honor guard, few ordinary... Read more

SANTIAGO, Cuba (AP) — Pope Benedict XVI arrived in Cuba on Monday in the footsteps of his more famous predecessor, saying he holds great affection for Cubans on both sides of the Florida Straits and heartfelt hopes for reconciliation. President Raul Castro warmly greeted the pope, who said he was coming as “a pilgrim of charity” as he arrived at the sweltering airport in Santiago, Cuba’s second largest city. The pontiff, who last week said Marxism “no longer responds to... Read more