World
Saeed Abedini freed from Iran prison after three years
Iran freed four Americans including a Washington Post reporter on Saturday in a prisoner swap, as diplomats gathered to announce the lifting of international sanctions and bring the country of 80 million people back to the global economic stage.
Leading member of US Church pledges to continue Anglican Communion work
A leading cleric has pledged that the measures taken by Anglican Primates against The Episcopal Church because of its pro-gay doctrines will not stop the church working to feed the hungry and care for the sick across the world.
Extremists should be allowed to speak at universities says new Oxford head
The new head of the University of Oxford has spoken out in support of extremist groups being allowed to speak on campus.
Water into wine: The extravagance, revelation and victory of Jesus' first miracle
The Wedding at Cana is far more than just a literary trope. It's famous for being the first of the miracle accounts of Jesus' life recounted in the Gospel of John. The turning of the water into wine when it looked like the wedding party was about to fall flat on its face.
Indonesia has named mastermind of Jakarta attack
Indonesian police on Saturday named the five men they suspect launched this week's gun and bomb attack in the heart of Jakarta and said they had arrested 12 others linked to the plot, which was claimed by Islamic State.
French drug trial leaves one dead and five in critical condition
One person has been left brain dead and five others have been hospitalised after taking part in a clinical trial in France of an experimental drug made by Portuguese drug company Bial, French Health Minister Marisol Touraine said on Friday.
Burkina Faso: At least 20 dead in suspected Islamist attack
Security forces ended a siege by al Qaeda fighters at a hotel in Burkina Faso's capital on Saturday, killing three Islamist gunmen and freeing 126 hostages, the West African nation's security minister said.
Republican leaders slam Obama for bowing to Iran's 'humiliation' of U.S. with 'illegal' detention of its sailors
U.S. Republican leaders castigated President Barack Obama for "pretending" that all's well with the country's relations with Iran despite its "illegal" seizure and detention of 10 American sailors and their two patrol boats on Tuesday.
Anglican Primates agree to set fixed, common date for Easter
Anglican leaders meeting in Canterbury this week have agreed for the first time to work with Orthodox Christian leaders to move towards a fixed date for Easter.
Archbishop of Canterbury apologises for 'hurt and pain' caused to gay community
The Archbishop of Canterbury today announced the next Lambeth Conference will be in 2020, indicating the success of this week's gathering of Anglican Primates in preserving the unity of the Anglican Communion.
Iraqi Shia 'firebrand' calls for Christian homes to be returned
A radical cleric turned politician has called for Christian homes stolen to be returned to their rightful owners.
Christians face obscene persecution â let's not be afraid to say so
Tribal, ethnic or historic grudges can often be part of the cause. This needs to be acknowledged. Yet we can't merely say 'it's complicated.' We must acknowledge Christians are sometimes targeted just because they're Christians.
Turkey: Christians fear state interference in churches
Religious minorities fear that state interference in churches could increase, after a request was made for the government to fund the salaries of clergy and pastoral workers.
Southern Baptist mission board laying off staff to cut costs
The International Mission Board of the giant Southern Baptist Convention is to close its communications centre in Richmond, Virginia at the end of April .
Gay MP and former vicar quits Church of England over its stance on homosexuality
A former Vicar who resigned his living and became an MP after deciding being gay was incompatible with priesthood has now left the Anglican Church altogether.
The Pope took 2,000 homeless people, refugees and prisoners to the circus in Rome
The Vatican hosted 2,000 homeless people, refugees and prisoners at the Rony Roller circus on Thursday afternoon, where medics were also on hand to give free check-ups to those who needed it.