World
Children dead and church damaged in rocket attacks and bombings in Syria
A leading evangelical Christian church in Aleppo, Syria has become the latest casualty of the terror advance of Islamic State.
Archbishop of Armagh defends Primates' action against the US Episcopal Church
The head of the Anglican Church of Ireland has defended the decision by the Primates of the worldwide Anglican Communion to take action against the US Episcopal Church over homosexuality.
Church leader and democracy advocate could face life in prison after arrest in China
A Christian church elder has been formally arrested after being imprisoned in Tianjin in China on suspicion of "subversion of state power". The "crime" carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Brain-deforming Zika virus carried by mosquitoes reaches Hawaii, infects baby
The state of Hawaii became the latest area to report a case of the untreatable Zika virus, after health officials recently confirmed that baby born with brain damage at a hospital in Oahu, Hawaii was infected with the disease.
Cuba: 'Unprecedented' crackdown on churches as religious persecution spikes
An "unprecedented" crackdown on churches is ongoing in Cuba according to a report released today by religious freedom charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).
Obama says he seeks to preserve religious liberty â but some Christians believe he's doing the opposite
U.S. President Barack Obama said his administration "is working to preserve religious liberty and enforce civil rights laws that protect religious freedom" in a statement the White House released on the occasion of the 23rd annual Religious Freedom Day in the U.S. on Saturday.
GOP presidential bets criticise Iran-US prisoner swap: 'Obama negotiated with terrorists'
Even as Americans welcomed Iran's release of four American prisoners, at least three Republican presidential candidatesâTed Cruz, Marco Rubio and Donald Trumpâon Sunday lambasted the prisoner exchange this weekend between the U.S. and Iran, saying the Obama administration negotiated "with terrorists."
Religion is declining in the UK, says new survey
Nearly half of the UK population has no religion, according to a new survey by researchers at Lancaster University for YouGov.
U.S. slaps new Iran sanctions for ballistic missile test â right after end of economic curbs, prisoner exchange
Making a sudden turn, the United States imposed new sanctions against 11 individuals and entities involved in Iran's ballistic missile programme just hours after announcing an end to the economic sanctions over Iran's nuclear programme this weekend and a deal to exchange four imprisoned American citizens for seven Iranians in U.S. detention, reports said.
ISIS massacres '300 civilians,' kidnaps 400 others as it launches attack on Syrian city, capturing parts of it
Islamic State (ISIS) fighters have partly captured Syria's eastern city of Deir Ezzor after a massive assault, killing "around 300 civilians" in an onslaught described by Syria's state news agency SANA as a "massacre" based from reports coming from residents of the city.
Tributes paid to 'triumphant life' of missionary murdered in Burkina Faso attacks
Tributes from around the world have poured in for the "triumphant life" of Christian missionary Mike Riddering, murdered in this weekend's Burkina Faso terror attacks.
Burkina Faso: Elderly missionary couple 'kidnapped by Islamic extremists'
Suspected Islamic extremists have kidnapped an elderly missionary couple in northern Burkina Faso.
Freed US prisoners leave Iran, arrive in Germany as Obama hails win for diplomacy
Three Iranian-Americans arrived in Germany after leaving Tehran on Sunday.
Terror attacks spur Burkina Faso and Mali to join forces to fight al Qaeda militants
The assault follows a similar raid in November on a luxury hotel in Mali's capital, Bamako.
Pope Francis visits Rome's Great Synagogue, condemns religious violence
Francis became the third pontiff to visit Rome's main synagogue, after popes John Paul and Benedict.
Call for Ofsted chief to resign over Sunday school 'inspections'
A senior Conservative MP has called for ministers to sack the chief inspector of schools Sir Michael Wilshaw after he said church and religious groups which involve children will need to be registered under new rules