News

Teacher who told student to wipe off Ash Wednesday cross apologises
A teacher in Utah has apologized to a fourth-grade student whom she ordered to remove the ash cross that was on his forehead for Ash Wednesday.
More civilians flee Islamic State's Syria enclave, delaying final assault
The U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) paused military operations against Islamic State (IS) militants holed up in the group's final enclave in eastern Syria, expecting more civilians to be evacuated from the area on Saturday, an SDF official said.

The value of the boring testimony
The boring testimony reveals what life is usually about in the western world regardless of the country. But there is one difference

Two American Mormons being deported from Russia under anti-evangelism laws
Kole Brodowski and another unidentified volunteer were arrested while they were teaching English at a church in southern Russia.

Barbie at 60: instrument of female oppression or positive influence?
Barbie Millicent Roberts is, arguably, the original "influencer" of young girls, pushing an image and lifestyle that can shape what they aspire to be like. So, at 60, how is the iconic Barbie stepping up to support her fellow women and girls?

'Jesus is a real thing for me,' says Hailey Bieber
Supermodel, TV personality and newlywed Hailey Bieber, formerly known as Haley Baldwin, revealed that her true purpose in life is not to promote beauty or fashion but to reflect Jesus in the world.

Brexit deal that puts the union at risk is unacceptable, says Conservative chairman
Britain cannot accept an EU proposal to break the deadlock in the Brexit talks because it would threaten the unity of the United Kingdom by treating Northern Ireland differently, the chairman of the ruling Conservative Party said.

The hidden message in the last words of Jesus: A BBC Lent series
A powerful story of forgiveness launches a BBC Radio 4 Lent series on Sunday themed around the idea of hospitality.

Prostitution is exploitation: Here's why buying sex should be illegal
When you listen to women who have lived through prostitution, the stories they tell are a powerful rebuke to our society.

The role of business in creating an equal world
Across the world tens of millions women work in insecure, poor and precarious conditions, with limited employment rights or social protection and few opportunities to advance.

US envoy for religious freedom slams China's 'war with faith' during Hong Kong visit
Brownback said Beijing was waging a 'war with faith' and that it needed to respect the fundamental and 'sacred right' of people to worship.

Without vaccine, hundreds of children die in Madagascar measles outbreak
Measles cases are on the rise globally, including in wealthy nations such as the United States and Germany.

Wakefield and women's ministry: CofE's reviewer finds against cathedral
How far should a cathedral committed to the equal ministry of men and women go in accommodating faithful Anglicans who don't agree?

Reflections on resignations: God is still good
Even if our insatiable desire for gossip finds this infuriating, a lot of the time we don't know many details about these incidents. Nor do we necessarily need to.

Former Archbishop of York John Habgood dies aged 81
He served as the Church of England's second most senior archbishop from 1983-1995, having formerly served as Bishop of Durham.
Pope replies to million-dollar challenge to go vegan for Lent
The Pope has replied to a vegan campaign offering him a million dollars to give up meat and animal products during Lent.