World
Kentucky clerk's office defies court order, refuses to issue same-sex marriage license
A Kentucky clerk's office refused to issue marriage license to gay couples Thursday, despite a court ruling that ordered officials to follow the law and not their religious beliefs.
Democrats supporting Planned Parenthood found to be recipients of $25-M donations
Planned Parenthood workers and political action committees (PACs) have donated at least $25 million to Democrats over the past 15 years.
Islamic State's 'theology of rape' used to justify systematic abuse
Islamic State is systematically sexually exploiting captured women and children.
Hong Kong bishop urges end to cross removal campaign
A senior prelate of the Chinese Catholic church has called for prayer and fasting in support of the Christians of Zhejiang province where more than a thousand crosses and buildings have been removed or demolished.
Azerbaijan: Outrage at 'politically motivated' prison sentences for rights activists
An Azerbaijani couple were sentenced yesterday to eight-and-a-half and seven years in prison respectively.
Ukraine: Gay pride march banned after church leaders' protest
The court said the march "may pose a real danger and a threat to public order in the city".
Another US baker faces court's wrath for refusing to bake cake for same-sex couple
Colorado's Court of Appeals has ordered a Christian baker to provide wedding cakes to same-sex couple, upholding a ruling that he violated the state's anti-discrimination act.
China explosion may have been caused by firefighters using water, experts say
More than a dozen firefighters were among those killed by the massive explosions in Tianjin city.
Islamic State uses mustard gas in attack on Kurds
The attack is the first indication the militant group has obtained a banned chemical weapon.
President Obama approved Iran's nuclear plan in secret 2011 talks, Khamenei bares
US President Barack Obama has made contact with Iran and even confirmed Iran's right to operate a nuclear program in 2011 during covert conferences with officials of the Middle Eastern country, Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei claimed.
UK on alert as it probes reported plot by ISIS to launch terror attack this weekend
British law enforcers and intelligence services are now working to solve a reported plot by the jihadist group Islamic State to attack the Victory over Japan Day commemoration ceremonies in London this weekend, using a pressure cooker bomb similar to the one used in the Boston Marathon bombing in 2013.
China intensifies anti-church campaign as faithful risk lives in defying state orders
The Chinese government's crackdown on churches has been getting worse as the campaign now includes even state-sanctioned churches, but the campaign has drawn backlash from the faithful who risk their lives to defy state orders, including a bishop who urged Christians to "defend" the right to religion.
Priest cut to pieces by ISIS militants as Mideast Christian clerics become targets
Arab-Christian clergymen have been the recent targets of abductions, torture, and executions by Islamic extremist groups, including a priest who was taken for ransom and chopped into pieces.
Armed guards at US churches: Why it's tempting, and why it's wrong
A church in Shelby, North Carolina, has announced that it's buying guns for armed guards in services.
Four Sudanese Christian women found innocent of 'immoral dress'
The women were part of a group of Christians from the Nuba Mountains who were arrested on June 25.
Man dies after trying to fast for 40 days in imitation of Jesus
A Zimbabwean Christian trying to fast for 40 days and 40 nights in imitation of Jesus has died a month into his attempt.