News
Vatican sets Nativity scene in Nazareth
This Christmas, the Vatican has changed the traditional Nativity scene display in front of St Peter's Basilica into a scene showing the young Jesus in Nazareth, at Joseph's carpentry shop.
Russia test-fires intercontinental missile
Russia successfully conducted a test launch on Monday of a new intercontinental ballistic missile, the navy said.
Violence in northern Nigeria leaves ten dead
This weekend Christian-Muslim tensions in northern Nigeria have been high after more clashes which left 10 people dead and 30 more critically injured. Three churches were also set on fire during the clashes which took place on Saturday 15 December in the city of Bauchi.
Christians object to Borders 'O come all ye faithless' Christmas cards
A controversial Christmas card reading "O come all ye faithless" has been strongly criticised by Christians as an "ill judged and insensitive joke". Borders bookshop began giving away the card free for everyone who bought Richard Dawkins' well known atheist work, The God Delusion this Christmas.
Kaka praises God over world player crown
AC Milan and Brazil star Kaka has praised God after being crowned the Fifa world player of the year.
Ecumenical conference pays homage to victims of slave trade
A major ecumenical gathering to commemorate victims of the transatlantic slave trade concluded last Friday after a week of examining how the global church can adequately respond to the trade's modern legacies of economic oppression and racism.
India Partners helps the victims of human trafficking
Christian charity India Partners has been working to help girls under 18 who have been the victims of trafficking. As well as being forced into slavery, most are victims of threats, coercion and abuse.
Anglicans in deadlock, Archbishop pursues more talks
Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams said it is "practically impossible" to expect a clearer response from the US Episcopal Church, which had earlier agreed to halt the ordination of openly gay bishops.
Turkey bombs northern Iraq
Turkish warplanes targeting Kurdish rebels bombed villages deep in northern Iraq on Sunday, killing one woman and forcing hundreds of people to flee their homes, Iraqi officials said.
Britain hands over last province to Iraq forces
Britain handed over security to Iraqi forces on Sunday in the last of four provinces it once patrolled, effectively marking the end of nearly five years of British control of southern Iraq.
European Christians to 'intensify' cooperation with Muslims
Christians gathered from across Europe underscored "the importance of seeking common ground with Muslim partners in Europe" during a key meeting earlier this month.
Two die after light aircraft collide
Two people died when their light aircraft crashed in central England on Sunday after a mid-air collision with another small plane, crash investigators and police said.
Egyptian police arrest 7 after Christian shops burned
Police arrested at least seven Egyptian Muslims after a riot in the southern city of Isna on Sunday that left at least 13 Christian-owned shops smashed up or burned and a church front damaged, security sources said.
Italian Catholic priest stabbed in Turkey
An Italian Roman Catholic priest was stabbed on Sunday at his church in the city of Izmir in western Turkey, police said, in an incident that recalled the fatal shooting of another Italian priest in Turkey in 2006.
Madeleine's siblings want her home for Christmas
Madeleine McCann's younger siblings hope Santa Claus will bring their missing sister home for Christmas, their parents said in an interview on Sunday.
London plot suspect escapes in Pakistan
A Pakistani-British man suspected of involvement in an al Qaeda plot to blow up U.S.-bound airliners over the Atlantic has escaped from custody in the Pakistani capital, a senior official said on Sunday.