World

Burkini ban suspended by top French court over 'breach of fundamental freedoms'

France's top court has suspended the controversial burkini ban in a test case after a human rights group questioned the rule imposed by a number of seaside towns.

US Christian among first victims of Russia's anti-evangelism law

The first known victims of Russia's new anti-evangelism laws have been convicted and fined, according to the Forum 18 news service.

Devastating earthquake in Italy prompts outpouring of support; Benedictine monks among those affected

Christian groups quickly began mobilising to extend humanitarian assistance to the affected people of Italy following the 6.2 earthquake that struck the central part of their country on Wednesday.

ISIS hostage Kayla Mueller stood up for her Christian faith while in captivity

US aid worker Kayla Mueller stood up for her Christian faith during her horrific ordeal in ISIS captivity despite claims she had converted to Islam, according to an ABC broadcast.

Nuns barred from wearing habits on the beach, says deputy mayor of Nice

Nuns' habits are also banned from some French beaches, the deputy mayor of Nice has confirmed, as the furore over a ban on burkinis continues to rage.

Italy earthquake: Priest hails 'great miracle' after being rescued from collapsed home

A priest pulled from the rubble left by a devastating earthquake in Italy has hailed his survival as a "great miracle".

El Salvador pastor accused of fuelling gang violence

A pastor in El Salvador has been accused of being involved in gang violence and of using his religious duties as a front to meet drug lords in prison.

Sarkozy tells comeback rally he would ban burkini across France

Nicolas Sarkozy said on Thursday he would impose a nationwide ban on burkinis if elected back to the presidency in 2017.

Egypt's Coptic Christians protest exclusion from Olympic and other sports

A charity that campaigns for equal rights in Egypt has filed a formal complaint of discrimination against Coptic Christians in the selection of Egypt's Olympic team.

Businesses should not be able to refuse gay people services, say most US religious groups

Most religious groups in the US do not think businesses should be allowed to refuse services to gay people, according to research released on Thursday.

China: Farmer mowed down and killed after protesting land seizure

A farmer in China who resisted the seizure of his land has been killed, the Christian human rights organisation China Aid is reporting.

France's top court to rule on legality of burkini ban

The row over France's controversial ban on women wearing burkinis has escalated with the country's top court to rule whether the law contravenes human rights.

Anti-Christian crackdown in Cuba: Over 1,000 churches seized, Christians dragged away from homes, churches

When Pope Francis visited Cuba in September 2015, many thought the milestone event could signal a breakthrough in the campaign to promote religious freedom, or at least a loosening in the communist regime's grip on Christian churches, in the Caribbean island nation.

Euthanasia \'tourists,\' including children, flock to Catholic-majority Belgium where assisted suicide is free and easy