World

Kurdish forces have taken Kobani, reports say
Kurds are said to have driven Islamic State out of the town after a four-month battle.

Greece's first secular inauguration sees new leader pledge to end austerity
Alexis Tsipras rejected the traditional Church blessing as he started work.

Obama warns India that religious freedom is vital
The US president used a groundbreaking visit to address an increasingly contentious issue.

Japan signals possible hostage deal to free Kenji Goto
The foreign minister has said Japan will work with the Jordanian government to secure his release.

Dramatic decline in Ebola cases reported; West African countries remain 'cautiously optimistic'
The World Health Organisation reports a dramatic decline in Ebola cases.

After dove attack, Pope Francis releases balloons as 'symbol of peace'Â
The last Sunday in January is traditionally when the Pope, along with two children, release doves out of the papal studio window in a symbol of peace.

Australian women enticed by 'false glamour' of ISIS
Officials reported Saturday that an increasing number of Australian women are travelling to Iraq and Syria to fight with the Islamic State (IS).

Man and woman facing charges after trying to smuggle heroin into jail using Bible
A man and a woman are now facing felony charges after they attempted to smuggle heroin into the Hamilton County Justice Center in December last year using a Bible.

Niger Christians growing in faith despite wave of violence
The faith of the Christians in Niger continue to grow despite a series of violent attacks from January 16 to 18 that left more than 70 churches in ruins.

Mother goes 'on strike' against 'disrespectful' teenagers
A North Carolina mother has spent nearly a week "on strike" against her teen daughters in protest of their disrespectful behaviour.
9-yr-old twins left alone for months while parents travelled abroad
Twin boys were left home alone for months in New Hampshire while their parents travelled to Nigeria with three of their siblings.

Couple finds $2k in Burger King bag but returns it because 'Jehovah sees everything'
A couple ordered a Burger King Drive-Thru and were shocked to discover the money in the bag instead of their food, but decided to hand it back out of conscience

ISIS hacks Westminster Presbyterian Church's website
"I love Islam and Jihadist," a gruesome video, and some very disturbing language appeared on the website of Westminster Presbyterian Church

Religious freedom worsening in Cuba: 'There is a crackdown happening'
Violations of religious freedom are increasing in Cuba, according to a new report released by Christian Solidarity Worldwide today.

CAR: Government minister kidnapped by gunmen on way home from church
Central African Republic's minister for youth and sport was kidnapped by gunmen on his way home from church on Sunday.

Global call for release of Eritrean Orthodox church head, under house arrest for 8 years
The US Commission on International Religious Freedom has called for the release of the Eritrean Orthodox Patriarch.