World
China: Pastor released from 'black jail' after opposing cross demolitions
Activists confirm the release of Chinese pastor Huang Yizi, imprisoned in so-called 'black jail' for opposing a government crackdown on Christianity.
US judge again denies Texas request to ban Syrian refugees
A US judge denied for the second time a request by Texas to bar relief agencies from bringing Syrian refugees into the state, a decision that could have a bearing on the attempts of 30 other governors to block refugees from their states.
Return from the 'dead': Woman attends own 'funeral,' shocking her husband who wanted her killed
With the help of her pastor, Noela Rukundo flew back from her home country, Burundi, to Melbourne, Australia to attend her funeral -- her own funeral.
U.S. Republican presidential candidates call themselves 'pro-life' but support abortion exceptions
During a debate on Saturday night, three Republican presidential candidates called themselves "pro-life," but said they supported certain exceptions to abortion.
NASA admits it has no detailed plan yet to send humans to Mars, citing 'extreme difficulty'
Space experts recently warned Congress that the space agency's journey to Mars will still encounter bumps ahead.
ISIS supporter arrested for plan to 'shoot up' 6,000-member church in Michigan
A 21-year-old man from Michigan believed to be a supported of the Islamic State has been arrested by federal authorities
Pastor facing sex crime allegations states his innocence
Toronto pastor Brent Hawkes who is facing allegations of sex crimes from four decades ago has addressed his congregation for the first time.
Questions asked over Mexican president's marriage to soap star
On the eve of the visit this week by Pope Francis, the Catholic church in Mexico has been accused of bending the rules on marriage for Mexico President Enrique Peña Nieto and his wife, soap star Angélica Rivera.
Pope appeals again for greater effort to bring peace in Syria
The Pope has made another urgent appeal for peace in Syria, calling on the international community to spare no effort to bring all the parties in conflict to the negotiating table.
Georgia's new 'blasphemy law' seeks to ban religious insults
The bill has been approved at the committee stage and will be debated on the floor of the parliament.
Payday time for loan companies as Archbishop's credit task group chalks up success
Archbishop Justin Welby's task group on responsible credit and savings publishes final report, giving evidence of a "sea change" in public and political thought on the issue.
Pope could visit Scotland to sign interfaith charter on 'shared humanity'
Pope Francis is intended to come to Scotland in September to sign a ten-point declaration on the "shared humanity" of people of all faiths and none.
Japan 'ghost' stories: Horrified drivers recall taking passengers who vanish after asking to be taken 'home' to quake site
The victims of the devastating tsunami and earthquake that struck Japan in March 2011 are backâin ghostly formâhaunting Japanese cab drivers in the area, according to The Asahi Shimbun newspaper, as reported by the Mirror.
Mexico: Expelled Christians allowed to return home with full religious rights
Two Mexican Protestants who were imprisoned and then expelled from their community for refusing to renounce their faith have been allowed to return to their homes with a guarantee of full religious freedom.
Burkina Faso: Al Qaeda frees kidnapped missionary Jocelyn Elliott, but husband Ken still held
Jocelyn Elliot was released after Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) announced in a video message it would free her.
Chilean campaigner alleges sex abuse cover-up, asks Pope to sack bishop
Juan Carlos Cruz delivered the letters with Peter Saunders, a prominent and outspoken British member of a papal advisory commission on sexual abuse by the clergy.