World

US Supreme Court upholds lethal injection drug, says pain inherent in any execution
US Supreme Court upholds lethal injection drug, says pain inherent in any execution

The US Supreme Court has upheld Oklahoma's use of a drug in its lethal injection to execute death-row inmates.

Cuba: Arrests, fines and travel bans... \'Troubling\' rise in targeting Christians
Cuba: Arrests, fines and travel bans... 'Troubling' rise in targeting Christians

Churches in Cuba are increasingly being targeted by the government and forced to pay huge sums of money, Christian Solidarity Worldwide has warned.

Tunisia sees losses of $515 million for tourism this year after attack
Tunisia sees losses of $515 million for tourism this year after attack

Tunisia expects to lose at least $515 million this year following last Friday's attack on a beach hotel that killed 39 people, mostly British holidaymakers.

French beheading suspect denies jihad motivation
French beheading suspect denies jihad motivation

The man being held in France under suspicion of beheading his boss and trying to blow up a chemicals plant has told investigators there was no religious motivation behind the attack.

Islamic State one year on: A \'potent\' force, says Pentagon
Islamic State one year on: A 'potent' force, says Pentagon

A year after Islamic State declared a caliphate on territory seized in Iraq and Syria, the al Qaeda splinter group faces military pressure from a US-led coalition but remains a potent force holding key cities.

Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux set to be declared as first couple saints
Parents of St. Therese of Lisieux set to be declared as first couple saints

Blessed Louis Martin and his spouse, Blessed Zelie, are set to become saints coinciding with the upcoming Synod of the Family, after Pope Francis gave his thumbs-up for their canonization.

Iran still undecided on uranium plan ahead of June 30 nuke deal deadline
Iran still undecided on uranium plan ahead of June 30 nuke deal deadline

Iran's negotiators who are duty-bound to dispose the country's stockpile of enriched uranium are focusing on a US-supported plan to have the material exported for sale by another country.

Christians in Mideast undergoing systematic persecution, says author
Christians in Mideast undergoing systematic persecution, says author

Christians have been suffering "systemic persecution" even before the Islamic State made their entrance, said an author of a book on Christian persecutions in the Middle East.

Gay conversion therapy by Jewish group a fraud, New Jersey jury rules
Gay conversion therapy by Jewish group a fraud, New Jersey jury rules

A state jury in New Jersey ruled that a conversion therapy offered by a Jewish organization claiming to change clients from gay to straight was fraudulent.

US Senator Ted Cruz supports freeze  on same-sex marriage licenses
US Senator Ted Cruz supports freeze on same-sex marriage licenses

Saying that Christians should not be forced to violate their faith, Republican presidential aspirant Ted Cruz has expressed support for the decision of some counties in Texas to withhold marriage licenses for same-sex couples.

Historic meeting of pope and Russian Orthodox head \'getting closer\'
Historic meeting of pope and Russian Orthodox head 'getting closer'

An historic meeting between Pope Francis and Patriarch Kirill of the Russian Orthodox Church is "getting closer every day,"

Fears of crackdown against Bible Society in Malaysia
Fears of crackdown against Bible Society in Malaysia

As religious tensions increase across the country, the Bible Society of Malaysia could be facing government intervention after receiving notice that it will be investigated by officials tomorrow.

Islamic extremists threaten to \'slaughter\' Christians in Jerusalem unless they leave by end of Ramadan
Islamic extremists threaten to 'slaughter' Christians in Jerusalem unless they leave by end of Ramadan

Islamic extremists have reportedly threatened to kill Christians in Jerusalem unless they leave the city by the end of Ramadan.

\'I prayed for him and I knew he\'d met God\'. Retired vicar\'s ministry to Calais migrants
'I prayed for him and I knew he'd met God'. Retired vicar's ministry to Calais migrants

Last week scenes of migrants in Calais attempting to board trucks to the UK filled the news, with David Cameron saying that it was "totally unacceptable".

Thousands of Christians protest against gay pride march in South Korea
Thousands of Christians protest against gay pride march in South Korea

Thousands of Christian protesters took to the streets in South Korea in an attempt to disrupt the gay Pride march in Seoul yesterday.

Tributes paid to Scottish Christian couple killed in Tunisia terrorist attack
Tributes paid to Scottish Christian couple killed in Tunisia terrorist attack

A retired couple believed to have been killed in the terrorist attack at the Tunisian beach resort in Sousse were mourned by their church community in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire on Sunday.