Betsy Hiel
Were bombers lone wolves, or sent by terror group?
By Betsy HielCAIRO — The motives behind last week’s Boston Marathon bombing will not only determine how federal authorities prosecute or punish suspect No. 2, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. …
Actor McCallany finds harsh reality in Egypt
By Betsy HielCAIRO — In the teeming traffic of Bulaq, a working-class neighborhood that helped to spark Egypt’s 2011 revolution, car horns assault the ears. Exhaust-spewing buses …
Egypt Twitter flap shows lack of digital knowledge
By Betsy HielCAIRO — An Internet spat between the U.S. and Egyptian governments has some activists and analysts here questioning the wisdom and motives of American officials. “It shows how unpredictable digital diplomacy can be,” said Tarek Radwan, an associate research director …
Egyptian satirist Bassem Youssef released on bond
By Betsy HielCAIRO — Political satirist and television personality Bassem Youssef was freed on bond on Sunday after a five-hour interrogation by Egypt’s general prosecutor. Youssef, widely …
Egypt issues arrest warrant for political satirist who allegedly insulted President Mohamed Morsy
By Betsy HielCAIRO — Egypt’s top prosecutor has issued an arrest warrant for the country’s leading comedian and most popular television personality. Political satirist Bassem Youssef is …
Pope Francis’ everyday ways inspire Uniontown seminarian studying in Rome
By Betsy HielVATICAN CITY — Anthony Klimko had been “looking for a holy man who leads by example through his words and deeds.” Klimko, 38, of Uniontown …
Americans join crowd in cheering selection of Pope Francis
By Betsy HielVATICAN CITY — For hours, seminarian Michael Conway stood with thousands under a sea of umbrellas in St. Peter’s Square, an American flag in one …
Black smoke on first day leaves faithful waiting for decision on new pope
By Betsy HielVATICAN CITY — A chilly rain alternating between hail and drizzle didn’t dampen Sister Mercy McDunnough’s spirits. She was excited and moved, she said, to …
3 Americans considered contenders for pope
By Betsy HielVATICAN CITY — Three Americans, including former Pittsburgh bishop Donald Wuerl, are considered contenders as Roman Catholic cardinals meet Tuesday to elect a pope. Wuerl, …
Next pope needs to re-energize Catholic Church, Duquesne’s Italian students say
By Betsy HielROME — As Roman Catholic cardinals consider who should be their church’s 226th pope, students at Duquesne University’s Italian campus know what they want — …
Specialty Roman tailor has cassocks ready for a pope of any size
By Betsy HielROME — A white zucchetto (a pope’s skull cap, this one in the size of Pope Benedict XVI) and a small colorful figurine of a …
2 Cardinals with Pittsburgh roots say document scandal to be addressed
By Betsy HielROME – Two American cardinals with Pittsburgh roots said Roman Catholic officials will closely examine the church’s troubles before choosing a pope. Cardinals Daniel DiNardo …
‘Divine force’ must be guiding church, Catholics in Rome say
By Betsy HielVATICAN CITY — Bailey Marget toured cavernous St. Peter’s Basilica on Sunday, thrilled by its astounding interior decorated by some of the world’s great artists. …
Cardinal Wuerl: Religious freedom under fire
By Betsy HielROME — The next pope faces a “challenge of faith in a very secular world” and growing assaults on Christianity, Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington …
Egyptian youths resort to satirical dance to jab Brotherhood
By Betsy HielCAIRO — Several hundred Egyptian youths, some in colorful costumes and masks, gyrated to “Harlem Shake” — a dance craze that has become an Internet …
Amid shortages, Egyptians grow to miss Mubarak
By Betsy HielLUXOR, Egypt — Long lines of trucks and microbuses idle outside a besieged gas station on the Nile’s west bank, not far from the famed …
Egypt’s ancient treasures being lost to looters
By Betsy HielDAHSHOUR, Egypt — From a distance, it looks as though an animal has burrowed around the 4,000-year-old Black Pyramid of Amenemhat III. But thieves dug …
Upheaval drains life from Egypt businesses
By Betsy HielCAIRO — In the medieval bazaar known as Khan al Khalili, Egyptian shopkeepers call to the few foreigners winding through narrow streets and tables of …
Protesters continue campaign at presidential palace in Egypt
By Betsy HielCAIRO — Protesters attacked the presidential palace here on Friday as the Arab world’s most populous nation entered a second week of unrest. Youths heaved …
Egypt’s leader imposes curfew
By Betsy HielCAIRO — Egyptian President Mohamed Morsy declared states of emergency on Sunday in the coastal cities of Port Said, Suez and Ismailia after three days …
