VATICAN CITY - Repeating a call first made by St. Paul VI, Pope Francis urged a global move to divert money from national military spending and use it to "definitely defeat hunger."

OTTAWA - Refugee advocates are welcoming a federal budget pledge to spend $1.8 billion over five years to accelerate the processing of asylum claims, but concerns are being raised about how funds will be allocated.

For many seniors, day-to-day living is a lonely and often isolating experience.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. House voted to block federal funding for a year to affiliates of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and redirect the money to community health centres.