World
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.
Bowe Bergdahl may face life sentence in court-martial over desertion
Bergdahl walked away from his post in Afghanistan and became a Taliban prisoner for five years.
John Kerry arrives in Moscow for Syria peace talks
Kerry will seek to prepare the ground for a third round of talks of world powers on Syria.
New Mexico city of Belen defies atheists' call to remove nativity scene as it holds its biggest Christmas event ever
A letter sent by an atheist group to Belen, New Mexico to remove a nativity scene from a city-owned park has fired up residents that led to the city's biggest Christmas event ever.
New Hampshire school district asked to revoke its ban on the word 'Christmas'
A New Hampshire school district has been asked to change its policy after the superintendent ordered the removal of the word "Christmas" in a privately produced flier to inform the community about a "Christmas tree" lighting event.
New York school principal bans Christmas, Pledge of Allegiance, Thanksgiving and even Santa Claus
A new principal in Brooklyn, New York has banned Christmas, Santa Claus, the Pledge of Allegiance and Thanksgiving to the frustration of teachers and parents.
Christian landlady ordered to take course in Islam after assault conviction
A Christian landlord, who was ordered to take a course in introductory Islam after bullying her Muslim tenants, has appealed saying it violates her constitutional rights.
Christmas is a chance to tell people about Jesus. Don't let your rules get in the way...
Believe it or not, there are churches in the UK and the US that you could walk into this week and you wouldn't have any idea Christmas was approaching. Neither the decoration, nor the worship would give it away.
Egypt: Coptic leaders call for an end to 'exploitative' blasphemy law
Coptic Christian leaders in Egypt have condemned the country's blasphemy law, which they claim is used to "exploit" the Coptic community.
Middle East peace impossible without Christians, says Baghdad patriarch
Patriarch Sako told Catholic News Service that there were growing tensions between Sunni and Shiite Muslims who "are killing each other".