World
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
ISIS child figher trainee freed from camp after fighters break his leg
An 11-year-old boy who was abducted by ISIS fighters to train him for war was released after his leg was broken during training. He said that his broken leg "saved" his life.
New study indicates that one Christian dies as a martyr every hour
A new publication, the Crux by Boston Globe, estimates the global incidence of Christians being martyred for faith-based reasons is at one death per hour.
Rouhani: Iran nuclear deal marks 'golden page' in nation's history
President Hassan Rouhani hailed on Sunday a nuclear deal with world powers as a "golden page" in Iran's history, and looked forward to an economic future less dependent on oil as the country emerges from years of sanctions and isolation.
Dozens killed and 400 kidnapped by ISIS in Syrian city
Islamic state militants killed dozens of people execution style and kidnapped at least 400 civilians in attacks on government-held areas in Syria's city of Deir al-Zor on Saturday, a source and a monitoring group said.
Suicide bomber kills 13 in Afghan city
A suicide bomber killed 13 people in the eastern Afghan city of Jalalabad on Sunday at the home of a tribal elder when people had gathered to celebrate his son's release from Taliban captivity, local officials said.