World
Sydney Siege: Two killed, including gunman, says Australian media
Australian security forces opened fire on Tuesday as they stormed the Sydney cafe where several hostages were being held at gunpoint. Two are said to have been killed, including Man Haron Monis.
'Sydney Seige is over' confirm NSW police
Police have confirmed that the siege of the Lindt cafe in Sydney is now over.
Indian police stop planned mass conversion of 4,000 Christians to Hinduism on Christmas Day
Authorities have stepped in to stop a ceremony converting thousands of Christians and Muslims.
Palestinian UN statehood bid at heart of Kerry-Netanyahu talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said before talks on Monday with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry he would defy any UN move to "dictate" a timeframe for withdrawal from land Palestinians seek for a state.
Islamic State issues abhorrent sex slavery guidelines about how to treat women
"Unbelieving women" can be taken as slaves and beaten, raped and sold on under harrowing guidelines issued by the extremist group.
'We must negotiate with Islamic State' â senior mediator
When Padraig O'Malley says we must talk to Islamic State, he's speaking from experience.
Hostage taking in Sydney cafe sparks fears of Islamist-linked attack
Australian police locked down the centre of the country's biggest city on Monday after an armed man walked into a busy downtown Sydney cafe, took hostages and forced them to display an Islamic flag, igniting fears of a jihadist attack.
Sydney hostage siege: Christians and Muslims unite in prayer
Religious leaders are joining together in prayer as a hostage incident in Sydney unfolds, and are urging their followers to do the same.
Iraqi churches used as torture chambers by Islamic State
Churches in Qaraqosh, Iraq captured by Islamic State militants are now being used as torture chambers, according to a priest from Mosul.
Religious tourism in Palestinian areas restricted by Israeli settlements
At a time when religious tourism should peak in Bethlehem, Palestinian officials say the tourist industry is hampered by Israeli settlements.
Philippines: Army and Maoist rebels agree truce for Pope's visit
Philippine President Benigno Aquino has suspended army operations against Maoist guerrillas for a month to mark Christmas and a visit by Pope Francis, the head of the military said on Monday.
Syrian army recaptures territory north of Aleppo in fierce fighting
Syria's army seized an area north of Aleppo on Sunday and killed insurgents as fierce battles raged over the strategic territory.
Hostages in Sydney cafe forced to hold Islamic flag
The exact number of people held hostage have not been confirmed, but many were seen with their hands against the café windows.
UN climate talks reach deal in Peru
The building blocks of a new-style global deal were agreed on Sunday amid warnings that far tougher action will be needed to limit increases in global temperatures.
Islamic State militants capture major town in surprise attack
Islamic State fighters stormed a town in Iraq's western Anbar province on Saturday, killing at least 19 policemen and trapping others inside their headquarters, officials said.
Britain to send hundreds more troops to Iraq, says defence secretary
Troops in the "very low hundreds" will be sent next month to train Iraqi and Kurdish forces in Iraq, Michael Fallon has said.