News
Sex abuse claims have cost the US Catholic Church almost $4 billion
Sex abuse scandals that have rocked the Catholic Church in the US have cost the institution almost $4 billion over six decades, the National Catholic Register has found.
How do we deal with chronic pain?
Claire Musters gets some wisdom on handling intense discomfort.
Women juggling work and family life 'must be protected' says Pope
Mothers who choose to work should have their maternity leave protected and be given opportunities to flourish both at home and in the workplace, the Pope has said.
Man sentenced to prison and 223 lashes for criticising Islam
An Iranian filmmaker who was sentenced to six years in prison and 223 lashes for criticising Islam has received support from various European politicians today.
Vietnam urged to redraft oppressive religious freedom laws
Religious freedom in Vietnam is under threat from a new law on belief and religion, according to a joint statement from a number of faith groups.
Russian jets hit ISIS in Palmyra
ISIS-held areas around the ancient city of Palmyra have been targeted by Russian jets as part of Moscow's ongoing bombing in Syria.
Religion helps protect teens against alcoholism and addiction
Religious practice helps reduce adolescent alcohol use and other "risk behaviours" says a paper in a special "religion and addiction" edition of the academic Religions journal.
China: 20 Christians sentenced to 'black jail' in last two months
At least 20 Christians are being held in 'black jail' in China, leading to accusations that the government is imposing a "totalitarian regime" on its citizens.
Fewer Americans now 'certain' that God exists
Overall, the American public is becoming slightly less religious but those with a strong faith remain as devout as ever. Religious and non-religious Americans are also all becoming more accepting of homosexuality.
Reading the Bible will help stop war crimes, says Serbian officer
More than 4,000 New Testaments are being given to the Serbian army, according to a senior military figure there.
Surprise! Antarctica found to be gaining more ice, not melting as earlier feared
This week, a research conducted by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) showed that Antarctica is gaining more ice that it has been losing for the past two decades.
Mysterious metallic object crashing to Earth on Friday the 13th this month seen as sign of doom
Some religious conspiracy theorists are seeing the crashing of a space object called as "WT1190F," or simply "WTF," as a sign that the end of the world is near.
New Jersey Muslim terror suspects plan to form ISIS army in US, attack White House
A 24-year-old Muslim man in New Jersey admitted that he conspired to provide support to the terrorist group Islamic State (ISIS) by forming an army to join the group.
Chicago school district defies federal government, won't allow transgender to use girls' locker room
A Chicago school district has refused to allow a transgender female to use a girls' locker room despite an advice from the US Department of Education.
Texas school district backs teacher who asked her students to deny God, saying she was just misunderstood
A school district in Texas has found that a teacher who gave students an assignment did not force students to deny the existence of God but concluded that the activity.
Alabama judge who ruled to remove Ten Commandments monument backs Planned Parenthood
A federal judge who ruled to remove the Ten Commandments monument at the Alabama Supreme Court in 2003 has cancelled the move by the state to defund Planned Parenthood.