World

Netherlands' most senior Catholic bishop may lose cathedral over falling attendances
The most senior bishop in the Dutch Catholic Church may have to leave his own cathedral due to empty pews as the number of faithful continues to fall.

Major US airlines to introduce gender-neutral booking options
American Airlines, Delta, JetBlue and United Airlines are among the airlines introducing gender-neutral designations.

Pakistan holding up Asia Bibi's release over fears she'll talk
Authorities in Pakistan are dragging their feet over the release of a Christian woman sentenced to death for blasphemy because of fears she will speak to the media about her ordeal.

Rescue my daughter, Leah Sharibu's mother pleads with Nigerian government
A year after the abduction of Nigerian Christian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu, her mother Rebecca renewed her appeal to the government to keep its promise to rescue her.
North Korea's 'socialist utopia' needs mass labour. A growing market economy threatens that
'Loyalty is the bedrock of the brigades but what do you expect from people who know the taste of money?'

Christian survivor of North Korean prison describes the horror
The woman identified only as "Prisoner 42" was placed in solitary confinement for a year

Report warns of 'increasing anti-Christian hostility' in France
A religious rights organisation has called on France's public officials to do more to stem attacks on churches and Christian monuments.

Decision to delay election is 'bad news for Nigeria'
The Archbishop of Abuja in Nigeria is demanding answers after presidential and parliamentary elections that were due to be held on Saturday were called off at the last minute.

Split grows over same-sex blessings in Anglican Church in New Zealand
The decision by the Anglican Church in New Zealand to allow blessings for same-sex relationships has led to a widening rift with those who believe in the traditional position on sexuality.
Quarter of Americans think God wanted Donald Trump to become president
Sarah Sanders isn't the only American who thinks Trump was God's pick for the White House

France to replace 'mother' and 'father' with 'Parent 1' and 'Parent 2' on school forms
School forms in France are set to go gender neutral after the French parliament voted to replace the words 'mother' and 'father' with 'Parent 1' and 'Parent 2'.

'The 21': The story of the Coptic Christian martyrs
Exactly four years ago, on a beach in Libya on February 15, 2015, 21 orange-clad men were beheaded by fighters of Islamic State.

Tajik authorities confiscate, burn 5,000 Baptist calendars
Customs authorities in Tajikistan have confirmed they have confiscated and burned 5,000 Christian calendars ordered by a Baptist church in the Central Asian country.

Prayers for peace in Nigeria ahead of general elections
The Archbishop of Canterbury is praying that Nigeria's general elections will pass off peacefully this coming weekend.
In the hometown of 21 Coptic Christians murdered by ISIS, miracles are being reported
People from the hometown of 21 Coptic Christian men beheaded on a Libyan beach by the Islamic State are reporting miracles

Most Americans do not support abortion late-term abortions, study finds
New research has found that even many pro-choice Americans object to abortions up to the moment of giving birth