A UN report said that violations alleged to have taken place in the south of Sudan “could amount to crimes against humanity or war crimes.”

Far from American headlines Irene also left widespread destruction in the Bahamas and elsewhere in the Caribbean.

As the search goes on for Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, the bishop of Tripoli is stuck in Italy but hoping to return to the North Africa nation soon.

More than 11 million people in the region could be affected by the famine, brought on by drought and escalating food costs.

Archbishop Pietro Sambi, the apostolic nuncio to the United States since 2006, “enjoyed the highest respect and deepest affection” of the nation’s Catholics, Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan said.

The ongoing drought and famine afflicting Somalia and other East African nations is "a humanitarian crisis that cries out for help to Christians throughout the world."