World

Christianity faces 'elimination' in the land of its birth, warns Archbishop of Canterbury
Christians face elimination in the very region in which the Christian faith began because of Daesh, the Archbishop of Canterbury is expected to say today.

In defence of the Virgin birth (yes, it does need defending)
At the heart of the Christmas message is something the modern liberal mind resists: the idea of a revelation, of something we as humans could not have worked out on our own.

'Merry Christmas' banner at Texas veterans hospital removed for being 'overly religious and offensive'
A veterans hospital in San Antonio, Texas has removed a "Merry Christmas" banner from its facility, ending a 33-year tradition because several people found it offensive.

Church of England and Church of Scotland to move closer in historic agreement
The Church of Engand and presbyterian Church of Scotland have have moved towards an historic agreement to work more closely together.

Baby Jesus figurines most stolen item in Nativity scenes during Christmas, church pastors say
Churches in the United States are experiencing thefts targeting the baby Jesus in nativity scenes.

Eighteen drown after boat sinks off Turkey's western coast
Eighteen people including six children drowned on Thursday after a boat sank off Turkey's western coastal town of Dikili.

Satanists plan to pour costume blood on Virgin Mary statue on Christmas Eve in Oklahoma City
Satanists in Oklahoma City are planning to pour costume blood on a Virgin Mary statue on Christmas Eve, angering Catholics who are demanding the city hall to revoke the permit granted to the public desecration.

With help from Lutherans, Syrian refugees start arriving in South Carolina despite governor's opposition
Even without an official welcome mat, the first batch of Syrian refugees has arrived in South Carolina as part of President Barack Obama's plan to resettle 10,000 Muslim migrants to the United States this year.

Finally, President Obama turns his thoughts to Christendom, prays for 'God's protection for persecuted Christians'
After a long long while, U.S. President Barack Obama finally found the perfect occasionâChristmasâto turn his thoughts to the Christian world and the persecution of Christians in particular.

Christmas celebrations banned in Brunei
Christmas celebrations have been banned by the local government of Brunei, who sees the holiday as a threat to Muslim beliefs and practices. Offenders will serve jail time of up to five years.

Somali Islamists publicly execute two officials
Islamist militant group al Shabaab publicly executed a Somali military officer and the leader of a small town in the southern Somali region of Lower Shabelle.

Hit by airstrikes, ISIS retaliates by firing mortar shells at school, killing 9 young girls and wounding 20 others
At least nine school girls were killed and 20 others wounded when mortar shells hit the Harabesh primary school for girls in the northeastern city of Deir el-Zour, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH) reported.

John Piper rebukes Liberty University's Jerry Falwell over call for students to carry guns
Jerry Falwell, president of Liberty University, urged students to carry concealed weapons on campus after the San Bernadino shootings.

Outrage as British Muslim family banned from entering US
A British father, his brother and their nine children have been banned from flying to the United States for Christmas to visit Disneyland and family in California.

Hijab-wearing Wheaton professor could lose her job as talks break down
Hawkins was suspended as a teacher at Wheaton after saying on social media that Muslims and Christians worship the same God.

Imprisoned Iranian pastor Farshid Fathi freed after five years
Farshid Fathi was arrested on Boxing Day, 2010 during raids targeting Christian churches.