World

Outrage at release of juvenile Delhi rapist: Court says it cannot extend sentence
The attack turned a global spotlight on the treatment of women in India.

Scores dead after Russian warplanes strike Syrian city
At least six strikes have hit a busy market place in the heart of the city.

North Korea: Jailed Pastor Lim is in good spirits, church says
Hyeon Soo Lim was sentenced to hard labour for life for subversion, a ruling Canada called "unduly harsh".

Rabbis meted jail terms for kidnapping, torturing Jewish husbands in New Jersey divorce conspiracy
A 70-year old prominent rabbi of Lakewood, New Jersey who specializes in divorce proceedings was meted a life sentence of 10 years for leading a gang to conspire in kidnapping Jewish husbands who resist divorce.

Kiss on camel lands woman in trouble in Saudi Arabia; mother-in-law says act is 'sacrilegious'
An "innocent'' and "spontaneous'' kiss of a wife to a baby camel apparently turned out unpleasant to the mother-in-law prompting the latter to pressure his son to file for a divorce.

Kurdish forces, U.S.-led coalition jets repulse massive ISIS attacks on Mosul, killing 200 jihadist fighters
U.S. officials confirmed the death of 200 Islamic State (ISIS) fighters after Peshmerga forces backed by U.S. and coalition air support launched counterattacks against the terror group in Mosul.

World leaders must 'work harder than ever' to solve crisis in Middle East says Archbishop
The Archbishop of Westminster has called on world leaders to work "harder than ever" to bring to an end the terrible conflict in the Middle East which threatens to wipe out Christianity in the land of its birth.

Lord Carey: Government and churches must do more to help Christians in Middle East
Former Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey has called on the Prime Minister to do more to help Christians facing rape, persecution and crucifixion by Daesh, or Islamic State, in the Middle East.

Glory to God in the lowest! How Christmas changes everything...
The Incarnation shows us that God is with us, that Jesus counfounds expectations and that it all began in Bethlehem.

Queen to speak up for faith and Christianity
The Queen will use her traditional speech broadcast on Christmas Day to reflect on her personal faith and her belief in the enduring role of Christianity at the heart of British life.

BBC cuts back on religion and ethics spending
Church of England bishops accused the BBC of sidelining faith by planning big cuts to religious programming.

Clinton: Donald Trump is ISIS' best recruiter
Hilary Clinton tore into Donald Trump at last night's Democratic presidential candidates debate saying he is fast becoming ISIS' best recuiting tool.

Yemen peace talks end in frustration
A ceasefire committee will be formed in Yemen following UN sponsored peace-talks but mutual distrust prevented any real progress being made.

Obama administration invites Muslim group with terror ties to White House meeting
An executive of the Council on American-Islam Relations (CAIR) has been invited to a meeting at the White House but it did not include the moderate group Muslim Reform Movement, an expert claimed.

Obama pardons 2 prisoners, commutes sentences of 95 others in line with Christmas clemency tradition
President Barack Obama granted commutation of sentences to 95 individuals and pardon to two prisoners. continuing the presidential tradition of granting clemency during Christmastime that is assailed by critics as part of a "broken process."

U.S. House votes to fund 300,000 visas for Muslim migrants despite fears of terrorist infiltration
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill with a vote of 316-113 through the efforts of new House Speaker Paul Ryan with the help of Democrats led by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.