Christian Today staff writer

• 'Crocodile' or 'born-again Christian'?: Emmerson Mnangagwa's bloody journey as he slides to power

  Emmerson Mnangagwa, known as 'Ngwena' or 'the Crocodile' thanks to his shrewd ruthlessness, once said that he had been taught to 'destroy and kill', though he later claimed to be a born-again Christian.

• Trump defends Roy Moore from sexual misconduct allegations: 'He totally denies it'

  Donald Trump has defended Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore amidst allegations against the Republican legislator of sexual misconduct with teenage girls.

• Over 18s only: ID required to sample Asda's Christmas mince pies

  The supermarket Asda is demanding that shoppers present their ID to sample its mince pies because they contain port and brandy.

• Katy Perry and Los Angeles Catholic Archdiocese win millions in legal battle over convent

  The popular singer Katy Perry has been awarded $1.6 million (£1.2 million) after a long-running court battle over her purchase of a convent in Los Angeles, music-news.com reported.

• Kurdish referendum ruled unconstitutional by Iraqi Federal Court

  Iraq's Supreme Federal Court today issued what it called a 'final' ruling that a referendum held on Kurdish independence was unconstitutional and that the results of the vote were void, a court spokesman said.

• Man accidentally shoots himself and wife during gun discussion in church

  An 81-year-old Tennessee man, who said he carried a gun everywhere, accidentally shot himself and his wife during a discussion in church about gun violence at houses of worship, it emerged last night.

• Don't pray to God 'like a parrot,' says Pope Francis

  Mass-goers should spend their time in silence before the service, preparing to 'meet Jesus' instead of engaging in 'chitchat', Pope Francis has said.

• Pope Francis gifted Lamborghini supercar – but gives it away to help Iraqi Christians

  Pope Francis has been gifted a bespoke Lamborghini supercar. The famously ascetic pontiff publicly blessed the car, but elected that it be auctioned off with the proceeds used to help Christian communities attempting to rebuild in the Middle East.

• Australian Christian Lobby vows to fight on after same-sex marriage vote defeat

  The Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) has declared defiantly that the 61.6 per cent majority vote in favour of same sex marriage merely represents 'the beginning of a new phase' in campaigning 'to bring Christ's influence into politics'.

• Sick of dating but serious about marriage and children? How this new site is trying to help

  Are you sick not only of hearing about crude dating apps in which you swipe left or right for instant hook-ups, but also sick of the very concept of dating itself?

• 'I pray for you': Pope Francis sends handwritten letter to blind soldier

  Pope Francis has sent a handwritten letter to a Colombian soldier who lost his sight during the country's civil war.

• At least 332 dead after strong earthquake hits Iraq and Iran

  At least 332 people were killed in Iran and Iraq when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake jolted the region yesterday, according to state media in the two countries, and rescuers were searching for dozens trapped under rubble in the mountainous area.