News

Islamic State one year on: A 'potent' force, says Pentagon
A year after Islamic State declared a caliphate on territory seized in Iraq and Syria, the al Qaeda splinter group faces military pressure from a US-led coalition but remains a potent force holding key cities.

Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux set to be declared as first couple saints
Blessed Louis Martin and his spouse, Blessed Zelie, are set to become saints coinciding with the upcoming Synod of the Family, after Pope Francis gave his thumbs-up for their canonization.

Iran still undecided on uranium plan ahead of June 30 nuke deal deadline
Iran's negotiators who are duty-bound to dispose the country's stockpile of enriched uranium are focusing on a US-supported plan to have the material exported for sale by another country.

Christians in Mideast undergoing systematic persecution, says author
Christians have been suffering "systemic persecution" even before the Islamic State made their entrance, said an author of a book on Christian persecutions in the Middle East.

Gay conversion therapy by Jewish group a fraud, New Jersey jury rules
A state jury in New Jersey ruled that a conversion therapy offered by a Jewish organization claiming to change clients from gay to straight was fraudulent.

US Senator Ted Cruz supports freeze on same-sex marriage licenses
Saying that Christians should not be forced to violate their faith, Republican presidential aspirant Ted Cruz has expressed support for the decision of some counties in Texas to withhold marriage licenses for same-sex couples.

How to do quiet times if you can't manage to do quiet times
Martin Saunders suggests six ways to overcome the guilt, frustration and ill-discipline that get in the way of our devotional lives.

Historic meeting of pope and Russian Orthodox head 'getting closer'
An historic meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church is "getting closer every day,"

Pope Francis to canonise St Thérèse's parents
The parents of St Thérèse of Lisieux are to be the first husband-and-wife couple to be made saints together.

Joel Osteen asked to apologise for 'insensitivity' to millions of grieving people
According to Fell, Osteen described grieving people in his book "Your Best Life Now" as thriving on self-pity and relishing the attention it brings. She said nothing could be further from the truth.

Fears of crackdown against Bible Society in Malaysia
As religious tensions increase across the country, the Bible Society of Malaysia could be facing government intervention after receiving notice that it will be investigated by officials tomorrow.

Islamic extremists threaten to 'slaughter' Christians in Jerusalem unless they leave by end of Ramadan
Islamic extremists have reportedly threatened to kill Christians in Jerusalem unless they leave the city by the end of Ramadan.

Christian hospital chapel to be turned into Muslim prayer room - 5000 protest
Nearly 5,000 people have signed a petition protesting against plans to turn a Christian hospital chapel into a Muslim prayer room.

'I prayed for him and I knew he'd met God'. Retired vicar's ministry to Calais migrants
Last week scenes of migrants in Calais attempting to board trucks to the UK filled the news, with David Cameron saying that it was "totally unacceptable".

Thousands of Christians protest against gay pride march in South Korea
Thousands of Christian protesters took to the streets in South Korea in an attempt to disrupt the gay Pride march in Seoul yesterday.

Tributes paid to Scottish Christian couple killed in Tunisia terrorist attack
A retired couple believed to have been killed in the terrorist attack at the Tunisian beach resort in Sousse were mourned by their church community in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire on Sunday.