World
Sydney hostage siege: Christians and Muslims unite in prayer
Religious leaders are joining together in prayer as a hostage incident in Sydney unfolds, and are urging their followers to do the same.
Iraqi churches used as torture chambers by Islamic State
Churches in Qaraqosh, Iraq captured by Islamic State militants are now being used as torture chambers, according to a priest from Mosul.
Religious tourism in Palestinian areas restricted by Israeli settlements
At a time when religious tourism should peak in Bethlehem, Palestinian officials say the tourist industry is hampered by Israeli settlements.
Philippines: Army and Maoist rebels agree truce for Pope's visit
Philippine President Benigno Aquino has suspended army operations against Maoist guerrillas for a month to mark Christmas and a visit by Pope Francis, the head of the military said on Monday.
Syrian army recaptures territory north of Aleppo in fierce fighting
Syria's army seized an area north of Aleppo on Sunday and killed insurgents as fierce battles raged over the strategic territory.
Hostages in Sydney cafe forced to hold Islamic flag
The exact number of people held hostage have not been confirmed, but many were seen with their hands against the café windows.
UN climate talks reach deal in Peru
The building blocks of a new-style global deal were agreed on Sunday amid warnings that far tougher action will be needed to limit increases in global temperatures.
Islamic State militants capture major town in surprise attack
Islamic State fighters stormed a town in Iraq's western Anbar province on Saturday, killing at least 19 policemen and trapping others inside their headquarters, officials said.
Britain to send hundreds more troops to Iraq, says defence secretary
Troops in the "very low hundreds" will be sent next month to train Iraqi and Kurdish forces in Iraq, Michael Fallon has said.
Thousands march in Washington for Congress action on police violence against African-Americans
Thousands of demonstrators gathered in Washington on Saturday for a march to protest the killings of unarmed black men by law enforcement officers and to urge Congress to do more to protect African-Americans from unjustified police violence.
'I don't understand why people want to take away our love of Christ': Indiana town fights atheists to keep Nativity scene
Indiana town fights atheists to keep Nativity scene
Mother of teen burned alive Jessica Chambers finds comfort in prayer; says her daughter won't be 'at ease' until justice is served
Mother of teen burned alive says her daughter won't be 'at ease' until justice is served
Thousands to storm Washington and New York today over police killings
Thousands of demonstrators are expected in Washington and New York on Saturday to protest the killings of unarmed black men by US police and to urge Congress to protect citizens.
Syria: Four men beheaded for blasphemy by Islamic State
Islamic State's self-declared police force in western Syria decapitated four men after accusing them of blasphemy, a rights group monitoring the Syrian conflict said on Saturday.
Afghanistan: Supreme Court official shot dead by Taliban
Taliban insurgents gunned down a top official of Afghanistan's Supreme Court as he left his home in Kabul on Saturday, the latest in a spate of strikes by the hardline Islamists.
From Kolkata slumdog to university graduate and entrepreneur - one young man's story
Janealam Sheik grew up in the slums of Kolkata, often going hungry and witnessing the tragic deaths of many friends. Yesterday, he graduated with a Master's degree from Manchester University. Carey Lodge hears his story.