World
Jesus' baptism site to get tourist boost after becoming world heritage site
The site in Jordan believed to be where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist has been designated a world heritage site.
Pope Francis brings message of hope as he lands in Ecuador to start Latin America trip
Pope Francis has begun his week-long visit in three countries in South America on Sunday afternoon, arriving in Ecuador where he was greeted by a youth orchestra and a long line of Catholic crowd from the airport to Quinto.
Archbishop Desmond Tutu and wife Leah renew wedding vows, celebrate 60th anniversary
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and his wife Nomalizo Leah have renewed their wedding vows as they celebrated 60 years of marriage in South Africa last week.
Heavy fighting as Iraqi forces try to surround Falluja
Iraqi Shi'ite fighters and army troops made gains north of Falluja on Sunday but their efforts to seal off Islamic State militants in the city met heavy resistance, including suicide bomb attacks, army sources and militia fighters said.
Nigeria: Suicide bomber kills six in church attack
A suicide bomber killed six people at a church in northeast Nigeria on Sunday at the end of a week in which suspected Boko Haram insurgents killed more than 200 people.
Greeks defy Europe with overwhelming referendum 'No'
Greek soverwhelmingly rejected conditions of a rescue package from creditors on Sunday, throwing the future of the country's euro zone membership into further doubt and deepening a standoff with lenders.
Democrat Jim Webb and Republican Chris Christie join 2016 race for White House
Former Virginia Senator Jim Webb and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie have both jumped into the Democrat and Republican races as presidential nominees, respectively.
'No kindness towards strangers': Defector describes forbidding life in North Korea
In what is claimed as the "greatest nation on earth" ruled by then "benevolent god-leader" Kim Il-sung and now his son Kim Jong-il, "kindness towards strangers is rare," said a defector and now-human rights advocate.
8 major religious groups in US prohibit same-sex marriage, according to study
Eight of the largest religious institutions in the United States oppose same-sex marriage, which has recently been legalised by the Supreme Court across the country.
Fearing intense pain, woman with terminal cancer asks California to allow her to die
Although faith groups oppose doctor-assisted suicide, a 46-year-old Christian woman diagnosed with terminal cancer is asking the state of California to allow her to die.
US won't attack Iran in case nuclear talks fail, but bunker-buster bombs on standby
Admitting that military solution will not fix the problem, the United States pledged not to launch an attack in case negotiations to curb Iran's nuclear program fails.
9 in 10 Evangelicals not in favour of US Supreme Court's same-sex marriage ruling
Almost all evangelicals in the United States are against the US Supreme Court ruling that allowed same-sex marriage while 7 of 10 practicing Christians also oppose it.
2 Christian pastors may face death penalty in Sudan for openly practising their faith
Two Christian pastors are facing trumped-up charges punishable by death penalty in Sudan for openly practising their faith in the country known for persecuting Christians.
Egypt claims 25 Islamist militants killed in air strikes
Egyptian warplanes killed 25 Islamist militants in North Sinai on Saturday, security sources said, as the Egyptian president visited the province after a major escalation of the conflict there.
'The solution, with God's help, is close,' Iraqi army tells Mosul residents
Iraqi jets dropped leaflets over Mosul telling residents that Islamic State fighters would soon be driven from the northern city, saying details of the operation would be broadcast on a new radio station.
Aloha! Solar-powered aircraft completes flight to Hawaii, breaking aviation record
After five risky days traversing the Pacific Ocean, an aeroplane powered only by the rays of the sun completed a historic flight to Hawaii that broke aviation records.