Washington: President Obama to forbid LGBT discrimination by federal contractors. Depending on what exemptions are provided, the new requirement may affect Catholic Relief Services, Catholic hospitals, Catholic education and other Catholic charities that receive federal funds.
Phoenix: Police arrest suspect in violent attack against two Catholic priests. A man identified as Gary Michael Moran, 54, was being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, burglary and armed robbery, among others charges.
Spain: According to a recent study, more Spaniards are attending Mass regularly, and youths are rediscovering the priesthood and religious life.
Nairobi, Kenya: Gunmen singled out non-Muslims in attack. Asking if the people were Muslim or could speak Somali, the gunmen killed those that did not have the correct answer.
Iraq crisis: Secretary of State John Kerry says U.S. is willing to work with Iran, but officials are downplaying any military talk.
More on the Iraq crisis: Christians are fleeing their homes amid a militant push. The flight is a new blow to Iraq's dwindling Christian community, which is almost as old as the religion itself but which has already been devastated since the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.
Women hold society together amid war by Chris Herlinger. This reporting comes from NCR's new website, 
Global Sisters Report, devoted to covering the mission and ministry of Catholic women religious. It offers news, commentary and reflections on spirituality and theology.
Vatican City: Pope Francis and the archbishop of Canterbury have joined forces to fight human trafficking.
World Cup opinion: Francis is the "pitch-perfect" pope. Any virgin bachelor leading 1.2 billion people will struggle to seem a regular guy. Day by day, football helps.
Lexington, Ky.: A Catholic University coach was killed after being hit by a truck during a charity bike ride. Jamie Roberts, 24, a Rockville native and 2011 graduate of St. Mary’s College of Maryland, was taking part in a ride of more than 4,000 miles from Baltimore to Portland, Ore., when she and another person were struck by a vehicle.
Havana, Cuba: The resignation of two editors of an outspoken Roman Catholic church magazine in Cuba threatens to stall what had been a thriving political dialogue and a rare forum to challenge the ruling Communist Party.
Detroit: Archbishop Desmond Tutu is calling on Presbyterians to choose divestment from the Israeli occupation.
Looking for a little inspiration to begin your day? NCR's sister publication, Celebration, gives you two options, both based on the Scripture readings of the day:
Daily Bread is a series of short reflections written by four authors who meet regularly to share the readings. Daily Bread is intended to help daily preachers and others who pray from the assigned Scriptures each day to orient themselves to the Living Word addressed to the church in the world. It's a great way to begin the day.
Pencil Preaching is a blog in which Celebration editor Pat Marrin combines Scripture and sketching to reflect on the Word.
