News

Cuba: \'Unprecedented\' crackdown on churches as religious persecution spikes
Cuba: 'Unprecedented' crackdown on churches as religious persecution spikes

An "unprecedented" crackdown on churches is ongoing in Cuba according to a report released today by religious freedom charity Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW).

Remains of woolly mammoth found in Siberia may change human history
Remains of woolly mammoth found in Siberia may change human history

A team of researchers recently pulled from frozen sediments at a steep bank on the eastern shore of Siberia's remote Yenisei Bayin--located in the far north of Russia--what seemed to be a regular animal carcass, but was surprised to find signs that the woolly mammoth died in the hands of hunters.

Obama says he seeks to preserve religious liberty — but some Christians believe he\'s doing the opposite
Obama says he seeks to preserve religious liberty — but some Christians believe he's doing the opposite

U.S. President Barack Obama said his administration "is working to preserve religious liberty and enforce civil rights laws that protect religious freedom" in a statement the White House released on the occasion of the 23rd annual Religious Freedom Day in the U.S. on Saturday.

GOP presidential bets criticise Iran-US prisoner swap: \'Obama negotiated with terrorists\'
GOP presidential bets criticise Iran-US prisoner swap: 'Obama negotiated with terrorists'

Even as Americans welcomed Iran's release of four American prisoners, at least three Republican presidential candidates—Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio and Donald Trump—on Sunday lambasted the prisoner exchange this weekend between the U.S. and Iran, saying the Obama administration negotiated "with terrorists."

Religion is declining in the UK, says new survey
Religion is declining in the UK, says new survey

Nearly half of the UK population has no religion, according to a new survey by researchers at Lancaster University for YouGov.

U.S. slaps new Iran sanctions for ballistic missile test — right after end of economic curbs, prisoner exchange
U.S. slaps new Iran sanctions for ballistic missile test — right after end of economic curbs, prisoner exchange

Making a sudden turn, the United States imposed new sanctions against 11 individuals and entities involved in Iran's ballistic missile programme just hours after announcing an end to the economic sanctions over Iran's nuclear programme this weekend and a deal to exchange four imprisoned American citizens for seven Iranians in U.S. detention, reports said.

ISIS massacres \'300 civilians,\' kidnaps 400 others as it launches attack on Syrian city, capturing parts of it
ISIS massacres '300 civilians,' kidnaps 400 others as it launches attack on Syrian city, capturing parts of it

Islamic State (ISIS) fighters have partly captured Syria's eastern city of Deir Ezzor after a massive assault, killing "around 300 civilians" in an onslaught described by Syria's state news agency SANA as a "massacre" based from reports coming from residents of the city.

Tributes paid to \'triumphant life\' of missionary murdered in Burkina Faso attacks
Tributes paid to 'triumphant life' of missionary murdered in Burkina Faso attacks

Tributes from around the world have poured in for the "triumphant life" of Christian missionary Mike Riddering, murdered in this weekend's Burkina Faso terror attacks.

Blue Monday: Why God doesn\'t want you to be happy
Blue Monday: Why God doesn't want you to be happy

It's Blue Monday, apparently the most depressing day of the year.

Christian singer Carrie Underwood pushes for gender equality in country music
Christian singer Carrie Underwood pushes for gender equality in country music

Women do not often get the same recognition and opportunities that men have, but things are about to change in the country music industry if Christian singer Carrie Underwood had something to do with it.

Burkina Faso: Elderly missionary couple \'kidnapped by Islamic extremists\'
Burkina Faso: Elderly missionary couple 'kidnapped by Islamic extremists'

Suspected Islamic extremists have kidnapped an elderly missionary couple in northern Burkina Faso.

Dentist sued by former employees for \'damages\' caused by her playing Christian music in her own Michigan clinic
Dentist sued by former employees for 'damages' caused by her playing Christian music in her own Michigan clinic

A dentist from Michigan is now being sued by four of her former employees for playing Christian music in her clinic and holding prayer meetings with her staff members even though they did not want to.

Cameron condemns \'conservative religious practices\' that isolate women
Cameron condemns 'conservative religious practices' that isolate women

David Cameron has attacked conservative Islamic practices and treatment of women as he announced a £20m fund to improve English classes for migrants.

6 cute pictures of pets being blessed on St Anthony\'s Day in Spain
6 cute pictures of pets being blessed on St Anthony's Day in Spain

Spanish animal lovers flocked to church yesterday for the Feast of St Anthony, the patron saint of animals – and they brought their pets with them.

Martin Luther King Day: What his unfulfilled Dream has to say to the Church
Martin Luther King Day: What his unfulfilled Dream has to say to the Church

Sadly, King's dream that his "four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin but by the content of their character" is still some way from being realised. Krish Kandiah looks back at the speech that hoped to change the world, and offers a challenge to the Church.

Christian venue owners fined $13,000 for turning down gay wedding
Christian venue owners fined $13,000 for turning down gay wedding

Christian venue owners, Robert and Cynthia Gifford, were fined $13,000 after losing an appeal to ammend a decision on a guilty plead for turning down a gay wedding