World

Days before Pope Francis visit, drug cartel battle kills 49 in Mexican prison
Days before Pope Francis visit, drug cartel battle kills 49 in Mexican prison

A battle between the feared Zetas drug cartel and rivals at a prison left 49 people dead in the northeastern Mexican city of Monterrey, authorities said yesterday.

U.S. intelligence chief identifies gene editing as weapon of mass destruction
U.S. intelligence chief identifies gene editing as weapon of mass destruction

In his report entitled "Worldwide Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community" submitted to the Senate Armed Services Committee, Clapper said that genetic modification experiments being conducted by other nations, including those adversarial to the US, may create new types of biological threats.

\'Internet of things\': U.S. government may use ordinary household items to spy on people, intel chief says
'Internet of things': U.S. government may use ordinary household items to spy on people, intel chief says

James Clapper, the US director of national intelligence, told the Senate this week that his agency is looking at the possibility of using the so-called "Internet of things," or ordinary devices connected to the Internet and transmitting various information on its owners using microchips, for surveillance work.

Hope for Syria at last? Major powers agree to plan for \'cessation of hostilities\'
Hope for Syria at last? Major powers agree to plan for 'cessation of hostilities'

The meeting failed to secure a complete ceasefire or an end to Russian bombing.

40 Days for Life: Campaign to call for end to abortion launched in 273 cities around the world
40 Days for Life: Campaign to call for end to abortion launched in 273 cities around the world

People of faith and conscience in 273 cities across the globe unite in 40 days of prayer and fasting to call for an end to the injustice of abortion.

Yazidi \'Sun Ladies\' take up arms in Iraq to avenge brutalisation of their people by ISIS terrorists
Yazidi 'Sun Ladies' take up arms in Iraq to avenge brutalisation of their people by ISIS terrorists

Hundreds of Yazidi women who were once forced into sexual slavery by the Islamic State (ISIS) have taken up arms and are plotting to get revenge on the terror group who destroyed their lives.

Evangelical college stands by decision to invite liberal professor to preach
Evangelical college stands by decision to invite liberal professor to preach

Rev Professor Martyn Percy is Dean of Christ Church, Oxford – the City's Cathedral, as well as a College of Oxford University. Wycliffe Hall has confirmed that he has been invited to preach at a service.

Persecuted Christians are risking their lives to translate the Bible into their local language
Persecuted Christians are risking their lives to translate the Bible into their local language

An organisation that helps people translate the Word of God into their own languages is launching ten new Bible translation projects for the persecuted church in the next 30 days.

Desperate Iraqis fleeing ISIS are hearing the gospel in refugee camps
Desperate Iraqis fleeing ISIS are hearing the gospel in refugee camps

A Christian ministry is bringing hope to the thousands of displaced Christians in northern Iraq through both practical help and broadcasting the gospel.

Did Republicans ask Iran to delay Saeed Abedini\'s release until elections?
Did Republicans ask Iran to delay Saeed Abedini's release until elections?

A senior Iranian official has made the astonishing claim that Republican members of Congress asked the Iranian government to delay the release of Pastor Saeed Abedini and three other American hostages until the 2016 elections.

Pope in Mexico: Francis expected to highlight war on drugs and plight of poor
Pope in Mexico: Francis expected to highlight war on drugs and plight of poor

The inequalities he will see will be of concern to Francis, who has made care for the poor a recurring theme of his papacy.

Indonesia: Muslim minority group faces \'harassment and intimidation\'
Indonesia: Muslim minority group faces 'harassment and intimidation'

A minority Muslim group has been banned from holding religious activities and had its mosque closed in Indonesia in the latest crackdown by district officials.

Palestinian Christians and Messianic Jews affirm unity in Christ
Palestinian Christians and Messianic Jews affirm unity in Christ

Palestinian Christians and Messianic Jews have released a statement affirming their unity as believers after a meeting in Cyprus.

Creationist TV presenters? Once again the secular media proves it doesn\'t \'get\' faith
Creationist TV presenters? Once again the secular media proves it doesn't 'get' faith

It really is about time that we grew up. Christians (and those of other religious faiths) need to have their views interrogated. Yet shouldn't we be afforded the same level of scepticism about our beliefs as atheists and materialists?

ISIS may attempt to attack U.S. this year, infiltrate refugees to reach other countries, U.S. intel officials warn
ISIS may attempt to attack U.S. this year, infiltrate refugees to reach other countries, U.S. intel officials warn

A top U.S. intelligence official warned Tuesday that the Islamic State (ISIS) may plan to attack the U.S. this year and the terrorist group may infiltrate refugees from Iraq and Syria to go to other countries.

Valentine\'s Day could be banned in Pakistan for being an \'insult to Islam\'
Valentine's Day could be banned in Pakistan for being an 'insult to Islam'

Valentine's Day may be banned in Islamabad, according to local reports which suggest officials have clamped down on celebrations.