World
North Korea sentences Canadian pastor Hyeon Soo Lim to hard labour for life
The senior pastor at a Toronto church that is one of Canada's largest has been held by North Korea since February.
Germany's predicament: Two-thirds of Syrian refugees found to be illiterate with no job prospects
A professor at the University of Munich has expressed concern over the high number of illiterate Syrian refugees and migrants entering Germany, saying they have no hope of finding a job and could even force unemployment rates in the country.
Burundi: is genocide history in danger of repeating itself?
As violence escalates in Burundi, Harry Farley examines whether the region's history of genocide is in danger of repeating itself
US will 'squeeze the heart of ISIS', Obama says
President Obama said the US is hitting ISIS "harder than ever" in a speech at the Pentagon on Monday, in the wake of criticism that he is not doing enough to combat the extremist group.
Charleston AME Church hosts historical cross-racial meeting
The Conference of National Black Churches is hosting its first interracial gathering of churches over the next three days in Charleston.
Fierce criticism of Belgian euthanasia laws backed by medical and religious leaders
Bishops in Belgium have praised a call to revise euthanasia laws in the country. A group of 65 medical professionals, ethicists and philosophers published a letter in Flemish newspaper De Morgen earlier this month, urging legislation to be altered to remove the option for euthanasia purely on the basis of psychological suffering.
'Policies of fear' will only feed extremist rhetoric, warns Catholic bishop
A top US Catholic archbishop has used his advent speech to reject Islamophobia, calling for a response of resolve and courage to acts of violence, resisting hatred and suspicion in response to the recent violence in America.
'Worse than Nazis': ISIS allows fighters to kill children with Down Syndrome
Just when we thought members of the terrorist group Islamic State could not get any more ruthless and heartless, the jihadist organization reportedly recently allowed its members to kill children with the genetic disorder Down syndrome.
British sniper kills 5 terrorists with just 3 bullets, foiling a suicide bomb attack that could have killed hundreds in Iraq
A British sniper prevented what could have been a devastating suicide bomb attack that could have killed hundreds of people by taking out five terrorists using just three bullets.
China releases four pastors and two lawyers from 'black jail'
Six people, including four church pastors, have been released from detention in Zhejiang province on the east coast of China, China Aid has confirmed.
ISIS militants imprisoned Yazidi women in Syrian desert dungeon
Islamic State militants imprisoned Yazidi women in a dungeon buried underneath the desert in northern Syria, it has emerged.
Muslims and Christians unite under Christmas tree on site of Jesus' baptism
Jordan is celebrating the season of Christmas and the peaceful relations between Christians and Muslims in their country by lightin up a 12-metre tree at the site popularly believed to be the location of Jesus' baptism.
1,500 officers despatched to protect churches over Christmas in Indonesia
Indonesia are dispatching 1,500 police officers to protect churches from terror attacks over the Christmas and New Year period.
Saudi Arabia announces 34-state Islamic military coalition to fight terrorism
Saudi Arabia has formed a 34-state Islamic military coalition to fight terrorism, with a notable absence of Iran on the list.
Ceasefire declared in Yemen just hours after 15 civilian deaths
A ceasefire in Yemen has begun, despite Arab-led air strikes killing 15 civilians hours before it was due to take place.
US gun control campaigners mark third anniversary of Sandy Hook massacre
The Sandy Hook attack stands as one of the deadliest mass shootings in US history.