Dogs and cats are often beloved family members in current culture, but animals held such a prominent place in ancient Egyptian society that tens of millions were mummified, some going into the pharaohs' tombs to rest eternally in the company of their kings.

Others had their own special cemeteries, where they were buried in coffins as elaborately carved as those of royal family members.

At one church, the only thing being worshipped is beer -- at another, gleaming cars are on sale. Increasingly, it seems, a different kind of conversion is taking place at Britain's churches.

Thanks to a steady decline in religion and the high costs of maintaining these historic buildings, a rising number of churches are being given new lives that may have horrified their founders.

Some recoil at his name, while others still refuse to acknowledge his popularity. India's Muslims have watched the rise of election frontrunner Narendra Modi anxiously and are now united in their wariness.

Many of the worshippers at the Jama Masjid Terhi Bazaar mosque in Ayodhya, a kilometer from India's most notorious religious flashpoint, were too young to remember the 1992 riots which left more than 2,000 people dead.

Fashion retailer H&M has pulled a vest from its shelves worldwide after accusations its design, which featured a menacing skull in the center of a Star of David, was anti-Semitic.

The menswear item, which was withdrawn this week following complaints, was also destined for sale in Israel, where the retailer has 14 stores.

Spain's National Archaeological Museum reopens to the public on Tuesday after a massive six-year overhaul that aims to offer a state-of-the-art space for its collection of ancient artifacts.

The redesign of one of Madrid's largest museums, housing items from prehistoric times until the 19th century, began in 2008 and cost 65.2 million euros ($89.8 million).

Gay couples across England and Wales said "I do" on Friday night as a law authorizing same-sex marriage came into effect at midnight, the final stage in a long fight for equality.

Prime Minister David Cameron hailed what he said was an "important moment for our country", and a rainbow flag flew above government offices in London in celebration.

Child rights advocates on Friday rejected an apology from Australia's top Catholic cleric George Pell over sex abuse in the Church, saying it was "hypocritical" and lacked credibility.

Cardinal Pell, who takes up a high-powered job as head of a new Vatican finance ministry next week after being hand picked by Pope Francis, said child sexual abuse was a "terrible blight" on the Church.

British jeweller Graff unveiled Thursday what it described as the "most valuable watch ever created" -- a timepiece replete with more than 110 carats of diamonds costing $55 million (40 million euros).

Unveiled at the watch industry's biggest annual tradeshow, BaselWorld, the glittering wristwatch, called "Hallucination", is set with a multitude of rare colored diamonds.

In a cramped backstage area at New York's Metropolitan Opera House, French mezzo-soprano Sophie Koch adjusts her 19th century dress.

Around her are other singers, a costume assistant, two cameramen and a dozen stagehands ready to move a tree and a park bench to change the sets for the second act of Jules Massenet's "Werther".

An elderly German recluse is prepared to return precious paintings stolen by the Nazis from Jewish families including a priceless Matisse, his spokesman said.

Cornelius Gurlitt, 81, had stashed around 1,400 long-lost works by European masters in his Munich apartment and more than 200 paintings, sketches and sculptures in a home in Salzburg, Austria.