World

University of California adds 6 choices on 'gender identity' of student applicants
The University of California is offering six choices on gender identity for undergraduate applicants but will not be used in making decisions on admission.

Christian sites need more protection, Israeli church leaders say
The Israeli government needs to do more than simply condemn attacks against Christian sites, church leaders have urged, amid rising tensions between religions groups.

Hysterical reaction to the gay scout leaders decision is a terrible witness
The decision by the Boy Scouts of America to allow gay people to lead its groups has been criticised by conservatives.

North Korea: Official mocks Christian evangelism, denies persecution
A North Korean official has denied that Christians are systematically persecuted in the country, branding such accusations as "absolutely false".
Nearly year-long military campaign against ISIS cost US more than $3 B â Pentagon
âThe price tag of the fight against the Islamist extremist group Islamic State by the US armed forces now reached more than $3 billion, the US Department of Defence said.

Young Syrians marry in the ruins of church in devastated city of Homs
The church of St George posted pictures of their wedding on its Facebook page.

Pope Francis sees Christian 'genocide' as persecution affects 200 million Christians
The increasing persecution against Christians around the world has reached a point leading Pope Francis and other groups to start calling the problem a "genocide."

Turkey: Kurdish peace process in crisis after President launches air strikes
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been accused of political maneuvering.

Occult beliefs on the rise among China's communist leaders
Underground belief in occult practices such as sorcery is spreading.

Father of Colorado gunman pleads for his son's life in court
Bob Holmes said his son James was "a really excellent kid" who became mentally ill.

Confounding pundits: Donald Trump doubles lead over Jeb Bush in latest poll
Republican presidential aspirant Donald Trump has been stirring controversy over the past weeks due to his unfiltered views about divisive issues, but a recent survey revealed he is still favored among other candidates, especially by dissatisfied voters.

Boy Scouts of America faces protests from religious groups after allowing gay leaders
The Boy Scouts of America is facing protests from religious groups after its decision to allow homosexuals to lead the youth organizationâone of the biggest in the United States.

Ukraine: Russian Patriarch plays intricate political game in letter to Putin and Poroshenko
"Blood is being shed and people are being killed in Ukraine," said Patriarch Kirill.

Biblical name confirmed by inscription on 3,000-year-old jar
The large ceramic jar was found to be inscribed with the name Eshbaal ben Beda.

Gaddafi's son sentenced to death by Libyan court
Libyan court passed a death sentence in absentia on Muammar Gaddafi's most prominent son, Saif al-Islam, on Tuesday for war crimes and acts to crush peaceful protests during the country's 2011 revolution that ended his father's rule.
Antarctica is losing its only Catholic priest
Staff cutbacks and declining attendances mean that Roman Catholics will no longer serve the Chapel.