World News

Wednesday morning's vote at the papal conclave at the Vatican led to black smoke rising from the Sistine Chapel chimney, meaning no new pope after the cardinals' second vote.

The process by which the next pope will be elected, known as the conclave, began Tuesday morning at about 11:30. Here are some key points you should know about:

Tuesday evening, a plume of black smoke rose out of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, signifying that the first round of balloting to elect a new pope had passed without any nominee receiving the necessary two-thirds majority.

This week at the Vatican in Rome, cardinals from around the world are convening to elect the next pope, which could happen any day now. Who is most likely to succeed Pope Benedict XIV? As of now, there is no clear favorite, but a few cardinals have emerged as the top choices in various betting markets.

The longtime president of Venezuela, Hugo Chavez, died on Tuesday at the age of 58, following a two-year battle with cancer.

A hot air balloon carrying a group of tourists near Luxor, Egypt, exploded in mid-air Tuesday, killing 18 people in the deadliest accident ever of its kind.

You've seen it a hundred times in countless sci-fi movies: an object from space comes hurtling towards Earth leaving a trail of thick smoke behind it as curious onlookers turn their heads to the sky, mouths agape. Only this time, it's real. Over 500 people were injured in Chelyabinsk, Russia last night when a meteor came blazing into the atmosphere, exploded and sent fireballs raining down as citi

Olympic star Oscar Pistorius broke down in tears as he stood before magistrate Desmond Nair. Pistorius is being charged with murder in the shooting death of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp.

The International Olympic Committee voted to drop wrestling from its schedule for the 2020 Games via a secret ballot during a meeting in Switzerland. Instead of eliminating the pentathlon, like many expected, the IOC decided to scrap wrestling.

In stunning news, Pope Benedict XVI announced Monday morning from the Vatican that he will resign his position as head of the Catholic Church, effective on February 28. This has already set off a flurry of speculation, largely because no pope has voluntarily done so since the year 1415. The news is still coming in, but here's what we know so far: