News
Pope Francis gives sleeping bags to the homeless for his birthday
With concern for the poor as one of the defining features of his papacy, the pope gave 400 sleeping bags to homeless people in Rome for his 78th birthday on Wednesday.
Reflection: Wearing the world lightly
Jesus' invitation to follow him is so counter-cultural, writes David Baker. We want to accumulate things â but Christ asks us to leave them behind.
Pakistan: 32 militants killed in ambush
The Pakistani army killed 32 militants in an ambush in a remote valley near the Afghan border, the military said on Friday, and 27 in other clashes, four days after a Taliban massacre of children at a school.
Cuba: how Pope Francis' diplomacy helped end a Cold War conflict
Concerns remain about Cuba's human right record, but Churches argue there is hope for change.
Hundreds trapped by Islamic State freed on Sinjar Mountain
Kurdish peshmerga fighters have fought their way to Iraq's Sinjar mountain and freed hundreds of people trapped there by Islamic State fighters, a Kurdish leader said on Thursday.
China: Judge calls for crackdown on terror in Xinjiang
China must crack down "harshly and quickly" on cases involving terror attacks, national security and social stability in its restive region of Xinjiang, the country's top judge said, in comments likely to further worry rights groups and exiles.
CAR: 10,000 child soldiers recruited in conflict
Up to 10,000 children have been recruited by armed groups during the conflict in the Central African Republic (CAR) despite a U.N.-backed peacekeeping presence, Save the Children said on Thursday.
Australia: Eight children murdered in 'unspeakable' crime
Eight children have been killed and a woman who was mother to seven of them was injured in the northern Australian city of Cairns, police said on Friday, in what several media outlets reported was a mass stabbing.
Satanic and Christian displays share space at the Michigan State Capitol
Satanic and Christian displays share space at the Michigan State Capitol
Officers help shoplifting dad instead of arresting him
Officers help shoplifting dad instead of arresting him
Elementary school allows Gideons International to distribute Bibles, atheists threaten lawsuit
School gives away Bibles, prompts lawsuit
Proposed bill would require father's permission to get an abortion
Proposed bill requires father's permission to get an abortion
Mystery man resembling Santa Claus passes out $100 bills to stunned Dunkin' Donuts and Burger King employees
Mystery man passes out $100 to coffee shop, Dunkin' Donuts employees
Tennessee pastor gives away over 10,000 'Christmas is all about Jesus' signs; relying on faith to make up the cost
Tennessee pastor's 'Christmas is all about Jesus' signs in high demand
JK Rowling says there were Jewish wizards at Hogwarts but she 'never imagined' Wiccans there
JK Rowling has confirmed that Hogwarts had Jewish students, but that the Harry Potter world cannot contain Wiccans.
Pastor Gordon A. Humphrey Jr. drops dead singing Pharrell's 'Happy' from the pulpit
The 60-year-old pastor was preaching at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago and singing Pharrell Williams' hit song "Happy" when he suddenly collapsed at the pulpit.