News

Islamic State says it downs warplane in Syria

Islamic State fighters said on Wednesday they had shot down a warplane in the north-eastern Syrian province of Raqqa and taken the pilot captive.

Five films with loosely Christian themes to watch this Christmas

Helen Coffey provides ample excuse to curl up on the sofa and watch the telly.

Police shoot dead black teenager in Missouri

An 18-year-old black man was shot and killed by police at a gas station late on Tuesday in a St. Louis suburb near where unarmed teen Michael Brown was killed in August.

No Innkeeper, No Donkey - 10 things we get wrong about the Christmas story

There's an awful lot about the average nativity play that isn't exactly... truth, writes Martin Saunders.

The Interview gets limited Christmas release

Sony Pictures will allow 'The Interview' to play in more than 200 US theaters as of Christmas Day, reversing its decision to pull the film.

Dying dad raises money to save cancer-stricken stepdaughter

Churches in Egypt on their guard against terrorist attacks over Christmas

With the holiday celebrations just a few days away, Egyptian Christian churches are on high alert against possible attacks from Islamic extremist groups.

Turkish President encourages three-child minimum, says 'God will take care of the rest'

Turkish president encourages three-child minimum, says 'God will take care of the rest'

Advertiser defends 'Nobody is born gay' billboard

Vicar and teachers surprise school kids with their hilarious performance of 'Let it Go' from Disney's Frozen

Senator moves to protect Christmas celebrations in public schools

Indiana senator to introduce 'Merry Christmas bill'

Indonesian Islamists issue stern warning to Muslims not to participate in Christmas celebrations

While Indonesia's Christian community is preparing to celebrate the birth of Jesus, Islamic fundamentalists are forbidding Muslims not to wear Christmas symbols or even exchange Christmas greetings with friends or colleagues.

Nigerian child bride admits to rat poison killing of husband and three others

Nigerian child bride admits to rat poison killing of husband, three others

Medical practitioner faces murder charges after infecting over 100 Cambodian villagers with HIV

'Doctor' faces murder charges after infecting over 100 Cambodian villagers with HIV

10 years after the Boxing Day tsunami, hundreds of victims remain unnamed and personal possessions uncollected

With the bodies of almost 400 victims of the Indian Ocean tsunami still unidentified a decade on, Thai police were holding out little hope of gleaning any new information from opening a cargo container packed with unclaimed personal items.

Syria's ancient cultural treasures are being destroyed by ongoing war

Satellite imagery indicate that 290 cultural heritage sites in Syria, whose history stretches back to the dawn of civilisation, have been damaged by its ongoing civil war, the United Nations' training and research arm (UNITAR) said on Tuesday.