World
Number of world's refugees soars to record-breaking 59.5 million in 2014
The year 2014 broke records as the total number of internally displaced persons skyrocketed to an all-time high of 59.5 million, with Syria becoming the number one source of refugees, according to the UN Refugee Agency's annual report.
Assisted suicide bill offers violence, not compassion, says LA archbishop
Assisted suicide is "hollow" compassion, said a bishop of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, after the California Senate green-lit a measure allowing doctors to prescribe lethal prescriptions to patients who only have six months or less to live.
Charleston killings spark US soul-searching about 'racist' Confederate flag
South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley called for removal of the flag at the state capitol.
Afghanistan under new Taliban pressure as northern district falls
Afghan security forces are struggling to cope with worsening militant violence.
Louisiana governor draws IBM's ire for issuing religious freedom order
Tech giant IBM has cancelled a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new National Service Center in Baton Rouge as a sign of protest against Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's religious freedom executive order issued last month.
Use of Bible in public schools gains support among lawmakers in Idaho
The Republican Party State Central Committee in Idaho has passed a resolution supporting the use of the Bible in public schools.
Residents in Indiana can now own sawed-off shotguns starting July 1
Residents in Indiana can own manufactured sawed-off shotguns starting July 1 under a new law that was passed earlier this year.
Symbol of civil war or racist hatred? Confederate flag sparks US debate after Charleston church killings
The killing of nine persons in a church in Charleston, South Carolina last week has revived the issue of whether the Confederate flag should be removed from the State House grounds.
Nun sexually assaulted at missionary medical clinic in central India
A nun was sexually assaulted at the missionary-run medical centre where she worked in central India, police reported on Sunday.
Jerusalem Bishop: 'There is a real escalation in anti-Christian violence'
A Catholic bishop in Jerusalem has said the arson attack on an historic church near the Sea of Galilee last week is a sign of the growing threat of anti-Christian violence from extremist Jews.
Christian arms manufacturers are hypocrites, says Pope Francis
The Pope's comments in Turin reflect his long-standing hostility to the trade.
Taliban launch suicide bomb attack on Afghan parliament
A Taliban suicide bomber and six gunmen launched an attack on the Afghan parliament in Kabul this morning, wounding at least 19 people.
Greece offers last-minute concessions, EU welcomes 'forceps delivery'
The European Union says new proposals are a "good basis for progress".
Charleston's 'Mother Emanuel' mourns its dead in packed Sunday service
Hundreds of people packed the church for an emotional memorial service.
Boko Haram Islamist group spreads terror to Niger, killing at least 40
Islamist militant group Boko Haram has gone out of Nigeria to spread terror in neighbouring Niger for the second time on Friday, killing at least 40 people in two towns.
Burning of biblical church in Israel an 'attack on us all'âIsraeli PM
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the arson attack on a church at the Sea of Galilee as "an attack on us all," after the incident injured two persons and left a sizeable damage at the place of worship.