World

Sudan: Christian pastors may face death sentence over espionage charges

Two pastors have been charged with national security crimes in Sudan, despite little evidence, giving further indication of increased persecution against Christians in the country.

Russia announces war games after accusing Ukraine of terrorist plot

Using some of his most aggressive rhetoric against Kiev since the height of the war two years ago, Putin has pledged to take counter-measures against Ukraine.

Holy Spirit over Latin America as tens of millions of Catholics embrace Pentecostal Christianity

The Holy Spirit is raining down on Latin America with tens of thousands of people either laying prostrate on the ground or standing with hands raised as tears stream down their faces.

Christian refugees in Germany hiding their Bibles from Muslim extremists in migrant camps

These Christians fled persecution in the Middle East, thinking Germany would be a great country to restart their lives, where they can finally be free to practice their faith.

We need to learn our history â otherwise our country will make the same mistakes again

'Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it," George Santayana is supposed to have said. Though it may be a well-worn clichÃ© we'd do well to pay attention to it now more than ever. In the UK and the USA there are countless examples of historical ignorance affecting the national debate.

Four countries where it's dangerous to criticise religion

The US State Department on Wednesday highlighted concerns about anti-blasphemy and apostasy laws, which it says "conflict with and undermine universally recognized human rights".

Intensifying fight for Aleppo chokes civilian population

An upsurge of intense fighting around Aleppo has killed scores of Syrians in the past weeks, displaced thousands and cut water and power to up to two million people on both sides of the front line.

Trump in fresh controversy after calling Obama and Clinton 'co-founders' of ISIS

Donald Trump today called President Barack Obama and Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton "co-founders" of Islamic State, igniting fresh criticism of his inflammatory campaign style.

Catholic editor flees Bangladesh for US in fear of her life

The Catholic editor of a Bangladeshi newsletter critical of the government has fled to the US in fear of her life, the Catholic News Service (CNS) reported.

Religious freedom severely restricted for 75 per cent of global population

Three-quarters of the world's population suffer from severe restrictions on religious freedom, the US State Department said on Wednesday.

Pope Francis hosts Syrian refugees for lunch at his private residence

Pope Francis today shared lunch at his residence with the group of 21 Syrian refugees now living in Rome.

Dozens of Chinese Christians apply for 'religious persecution' asylum in Czech Republic

Religious freedom violations in China have once more been thrust into the public eye after 60 Chinese Christians applied for political asylum in the Czech Republic.

The biggest question: Why is there something rather than nothing?

We humans, the land we stand on, the sea we swim in and the air we breathe don't HAVE to exist. The same goes for the billions of stars, planets and other celestial bodies in the universe. They are contingent - in other words, they're are not there because they are 'necesarry'. So we are bound to ask why...

Rio 2016: Yusra Mardini, Syrian refugee who won hearts at the Olympics, vows to keep swimming