World

Indian pastor found beheaded hours after being abducted by suspected Maoist rebels

The beheaded body of a pastor was found in India's eastern Jharkhand state last week just hours after he was kidnapped by suspected Maoists.

As Trump quits Iran deal, Israel should be careful what it wishes for

Be careful what you wish for was the message coming out of some elements of the mainstream Israeli media last night as Donald Trump dramatically pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal.

New Zealand's Anglican Church to bless same-sex marriages

New Zealand's Anglican church will bless same-sex relationships after a landmark vote this morning.

Young newlywed becomes 8th Egyptian Coptic Christian woman to go missing since April

A young Coptic Christian woman who had been married for two weeks has been missing since disappearing from her school on May 2, sparking fears that she may have been kidnapped.

Court hands down fine to Algerian man for importing Christian literature and crucifixes

An Algerian court has reportedly upheld a hefty fine against a man who was convicted of importing Christian literature and crucifix-shaped keychains.

Vacation Bible school in India shuts down following threats from Hindu nationalists

A vacation Bible school in India had to stop its operations last week after it received threats from two members of Hindu nationalist groups.

UNESCO recommends more than a dozen "hidden Christian" sites in Japan for World Heritage status

About a dozen sites where Japanese Christians secretly practiced their faith around 400 years ago were reportedly recommended by UNESCO to be included in the World Heritage list.

Hungary's Viktor Orban reiterates pledge to keep country 'Christian'

Hungary's right-wing, nationalist prime minister Viktor Orban said yesterday that the main task of his new government will be to preserve the country's security and Christian culture, keeping out migrants and fending off what he calls foreign meddling.

Ireland's abortion referendum: Young liberals look to bury Church's influence

Momentum is with the 'pro-choice' side in the forthcoming, highly divisive referendum on abortion in Ireland on Friday, May 25.

Nigerian Catholics to hold 'massive protest' over ongoing violence against Christians

The Catholic Church in Nigeria will hold a major protest this weekend against ongoing killings by Fulani herdsmen against Christians and others.

North Korea: World church leaders hail 'almost miraculous' turnaround

An international delegation of church leaders has returned from a visit to North Korea in the wake of a historic summit meeting between the presidents of the North and South, describing an 'almost miraculous new spring' for the region.

Are Trump and Israel leading the Middle East into war?

Just as Jerusalem remains the key to unlocking the region's intractable conflict, Israel itself remains critical to the wider region's troubles and potential conflicts.

Secret witness testifies against US pastor Andrew Brunson

A witness testifying anonymously against Andrew Brunson, the US pastor accused of spying and terror-related charges in Turkey, claimed yesterday that Brunson helped Kurdish militants and aimed to create a Christian Kurdish state, the country's state-run news agency reported.