World

Israel launches attacks in Syria after F-16 crashes
The Israeli military said the F-16 jet crashed during a mission to strike Iranian drone installations in Syria.
Korean leaders may have first summit meeting in 10 years
Any meeting would represent a diplomatic coup for Moon, who swept to power last year on a policy of engaging more with the reclusive North.

Afghan asylum seeker gets life for murdering Christian convert
An asylum seeker in Germany has been handed a life sentence for stabbing to death a fellow Afghan who had converted to Christianity.

Pope Francis is 'ready to go to Iraq', Chaldean patriarch says
Pope Francis has said he is 'ready to go to Iraq', according to a Patriarch of the Chaldean Church.

Pakistan has banned Valentine's Day â and it's not the only country where February 14 is problematic
The celebration of Valentine's Day has been banned for the second year in a row in Pakistan after a court ruled the holiday to be un-Islamic. The country is one amongst several keen to resist the day.
Don't be fooled by North Korea's Winter Olympics stunt, warns Christian persecution watchdog
As the Winter Olympics begins today, with its historic inclusion of a joint Korean team, Christian persecution watchdog Open Doors is imploring people not to forget the brutal oppression of Christians by North Korea.

'Spectacular' 2nd century Roman mosaic uncovered in Caesarea, Israel
The largest conservation and reconstruction project ever undertaken in Israel has uncovered a rare, multicoloured mosaic from the Roman period, in Caesarea National Park.

Rome's Colosseum to be lit in blood red for persecuted Christians
Rome's ancient Colosseum is to be lit in red later this month to highlight the plight of persecuted Christians around the world.

Seven church leaders in Sudan fined for resisting government
Seven church leaders in Sudan were fined this week charged with 'objection to the authorities', as Christian protest over state confiscation of churches continues.
Trump at National Prayer Breakfast: 'We are God's handiwork'
US president Donald Trump addressed the National Prayer Breakfast this morning and avoided controversy, praising the contribution of various delegates there and stressing the centrality of faith in American life.

Churches in Jerusalem fined millions of dollars by city council
The Jerusalem municipality has issued fines of millions of dollars to properties owned by the various churches and the United Nations, amid a rivalrous political dispute with the finance ministry of Israel.

How these child soldiers are being released from war in South Sudan by Christian agency World Vision
More than 250 child soldiers caught up in the fighting between South Sudan's various warring factions will be released today following the successful intervention of the leading Christian humanitarian organisation World Vision as well as other aid agencies.

US ambassador: 'Religious freedom is the most important foreign relations topic today'
The US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, Sam Brownback, made his first public appearance yesterday addressing Muslim, Jewish, and Christians leaders gathered to discuss their shared commitment to promoting peace and protecting religious minorities in the Muslim world.

Two more priests killed in Mexico as violence continues
Two priests have been killed in Mexico as attacks against church leaders continue in the largely Catholic country.

Former Pope Benedict XVI writes that he is 'on a pilgrimage Home'
The former pope Benedict XVI has said that he is 'on a pilgrimage Home' in a letter to an Italian newspaper in which he said this was the 'final period of my life'.