US
UN hits North Korea with petroleum sanctions
The UN resolution seeks to ban nearly 90 per cent of refined petroleum exports to North Korea.
The country where 'Merry Christmas' means you're betraying your religion
Malaysia's growing ties to Saudi Arabia â and its puritan Salafi-Wahhabi Islamic doctrines â are coming under new scrutiny as concerns grow over an erosion of traditional religious practices and culture in the multi-ethnic nation.
Storm leaves 90 dead in Philippines mudslides
The casualties, most of them inflicted late on Friday, were all on the main southern island of Mindanao, they said.
Modern magus: The Israeli entrepreneur who's growing myrrh, frankincense and â gold?
The aromatic plants bestowed on the infant Jesus are being cultivated by an Israeli entrepreneur who aims to transform the gifts of the Christmas story into therapeutic balms and incense.
Tight security for Christians facing worldwide Christmas terror threat
Majority-Muslim countries in Asia and the Middle East were particularly nervous after US President Donald Trump's recent announcement he intends to relocate the US embassy in Israel to Jerusalem
Rebuilding Iraq, one house at a time
A Christian charity working in Iraq is helping refugees returning to their ruined homes begin a new life there.
India's Christians under pressure at Christmas as tensions rise
India's Christians are losing confidence in the government following an increase in tensions leading up to Christmas, according to the President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference there.
Protests as Pakistan clamps down on charities: World Vision given 90 days to leave
Pakistan has ordered 27 charities, including Christian groups, to shut down its operations unauthorised areas, according to Reuters.
Christmas in England: You're just a mile from an Anglican service, Church says
The average person in England is less than a mile away from a service at their local Anglican church this Christmas, according to the Church of England.
Christian lands in Jerusalem could be confiscated, warn UK Church leaders
Church leaders from across the UK have rallied around the Greek Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III in his campaign against a bill making its way through Israel's parliament.
No room at the inn? Why Jesus wasn't really born in a stable
Everyone knows Jesus was born in a stable and laid in a manger because there was no room at the inn.
Christmas in China: Why the Communist party will never control the church
The Chinese church is going the same way as the Chinese economy â well on its way to being the largest in the world.
Archbishop of Canterbury attacks 'fake news' in Christmas address
The Archbishop of Canterbury attacked 'fake news' in a Christmas address to churches around the world on Thursday, describing it as a 'weapon' that aims 'to deceive, to confuse and disrupt'.
Defying Trump: More than 120 countries vote for UN resolution condemning Jerusalem decision
More than 120 countries defied President Donald Trump on Thursday and voted in favour of a United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for the United States to drop its recent recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Pope Francis: Reforming the Vatican is like cleaning the Sphinx with a toothbrush
Pope Francis has told the Vatican's top administrators that his reforming agenda was like trying to clean Egypt's Sphinx with a toothbrush because of 'traitors' who stood in his way.
Fewer Americans believe Christmas stories are true
Belief in the literal truth of the biblical Christmas stories is declining in the US, according to Pew Research.