World
US conservatives in last ditch defence against gay marriage
Conservative opposition in the US to the introduction of same-sex marriage is stiffening as the Supreme Court's ruling on the issue draws nearer.
Eritrea: 'Systematic, widespread gross human rights violations'
Eritrea was this week accused by the UN of "systematic, widespread and gross human rights violations", including the failure to protect the freedom of religion or belief.
Pope Francis: We can end world hunger if we want to
The Pope has called for a new focus on global hunger in a major address to delegates from the international Food and Agriculture Organisation in Rome
Florida abortion law news: State faces lawsuit over new law requiring 24-hour waiting period
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) in Florida and the Center for Reproductive Rights have filed a lawsuit on Thursday against the State of Florida over a new law that requires women to wait for 24 hours before getting an abortion.
Late-term abortion ban bill filed in US Senate, cites fetus pain at 20th week of pregnancy
US Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina introduced a bill in the US Senate that will ban abortions on 20 weeks of pregnancy.
Pakistan: aid agency Save the Children ordered to leave
Pakistani authorities have given Save the Children 15 days to leave the country, officials said on Friday, accusing the aid agency of spying.
Boko Haram under pressure as Nigeria forges new military alliance
Nigeria and its neighbours agreed on Thursday to set up a joint military force.
US records all-time-high number of Americans who renounced their citizenship
The United States government has recorded an all-time-high number of Americans who renounced their citizenship during the first quarter of 2015.
Archbishop of Mosul: 'We have sacrificed everything for our faith'
Christians in Iraq have lost everything because of their faith, the Archbishop of Mosul said yesterday, but "God cannot forget us".
Federal appeals court upholds key provisions of Texas anti-abortion law
A US appeals court in New Orleans has upheld provisions of Texas' strict anti-abortion law that could result in only seven clinics providing services to women in the state.
Israel denies involvement in cyberattack on Iran talks
Security companies say spyware in hotels that hosted talks on Iran's nuclear programme may have been Israeli.
Pope Francis urges Putin make peace in Ukraine in tense Vatican meeting
The two met for about 50 minutes and agreed on the need to recreate a climate of dialogue in Ukraine.
Oscar Pistorius to be released from jail in August, victim's parents outraged
Due to his physical disability, Pistorius has been held since October 21 in the hospital ward of Kgosi Mampuru II prison in Pretoria.
Court orders Arkansas to recognize gay marriages as judge slams 'shameless disrespect for fairness'
A court in Arkansas ordered state officials on Tuesday to recognize more than 500 same-sex marriages performed in May last year.
Pentagon bans discrimination against gays and lesbians; Says gays in uniform now free to serve their country openly
Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced on Tuesday that the Pentagon has updated its Military Equal Opportunity policy to ban discrimination against gays and lesbians.
Nigel Benn: How the Dark Destroyer found faith
Former drug addict and one of the most successful British boxers ever, Nigel Benn, is now a volunteer with Hillsong Church and says his "new drug is serving people".