World

Sudanese government arrests church's leaders in attempt to take over denomination
Observers fear a campaign is being made by the Sudanese government to take country of the country's churches as Sudanese police have detained eight church leaders in the last six weeks.

EU leaders urged to not sacrifice human rights for the sake of a free trade agreement
ADF International, a human rights group, urges EU leaders to not 'turn a blind eye' to the rising persecution of Christians and Muslims in India when they meet for the 14th annual EU-India Summit.

Iraqi Christians are in 'state of fear' after Kurdish Independence Referendum, bishops warn
Church leaders in northern Iraq have warned that the Christian presence in the region could be threatened by last week's Kurdistan independence referendum if it leads to conflict

'I'm not expecting less than $50 million': Diamond found by pastor about to be sold
One of the world's 20 largest diamonds, discovered by a pastor from Sierra Leone, is about to be auctioned in Antwerp, Belgium.

Will the real Santa Claus please stand up?
The 1,674 year old remains of Saint Nicholas may be about the be found. But at which of the sites that have long claimed to be his final resting place?

Religion given government benefits in nearly half of countries - new poll
Almost half the world's countries favour a specific religion over other faith groups, new research has revealed.

Puerto Rico religious leaders beg Trump for debt relief
Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands' religious leaders are begging for aid and a pause to debt repayments to help with the 'serious humanitarian crisis' following Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

UK Disasters Emergency Committee launches appeal to help Rohingya Muslims
A charity appeal has been launched by the UK Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to provide aid to the hundreds of thousands of people fleeing violence in Myanmar.

Asia Bibi nominated for Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought
Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman sentenced to death in 2010 under Pakistan's blasphemy law, has been nominated for the European Parliament's Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought.
Coptic Christian mother charged with murdering her newborn baby claims she is innocent
Egyptian police have charged a Coptic mother with murdering her newborn baby, though she claims her baby was killed by intruders.

World Churches express 'shocked disbelief' at Las Vegas shooting, call for gun control
Churches worldwide have expressed their 'shocked disbelief' at the Las Vegas shooting in which 59 people died and 527 were injured.

Las Vegas shooting: Trump quotes Bible as he condemns 'act of pure evil'
President Donald Trump quoted the Bible as he spoke extensively about faith and prayer in his response, condemning the act as an 'act of pure evil'.

Pope Francis, Franklin Graham join church leaders after worst shooting in US history #PrayforLasVegas
Pope Francis joined other church leaders in the USA and around world to offer prayers and condolences after at least 50 people were killed and more than 400 wounded in Las Vegas in the worst mass shooting in American history.

Egyptian Church ravaged by sectarian violence in 2013 finally reopens
A church in Minya was re-opened on Saturday after renovations in the wake of damage caused by sectarian attacks.

Pray for Las Vegas: At least 58 dead and more than 500 injured
At least 20 people are dead and more than 100 injured after a mass shooting at a country music festival in Las Vagas on Sunday night.

How blood money, diplomacy and desperation are reuniting Palestine
Tomorrow, Monday, Hamas hands over control of Gaza to a unity government. Although it agreed to the arrangement three years ago, the decision to implement it now marks a striking reversal for Hamas, which is considered a terrorist group by Israel, the US and most of the most powerful Arab countries