World

Australia repeals Parliamentary burqa ban
Australia has today reversed a proposal to segregate women who wish to wear a Muslim veil in Parliament in Canberra.

Houston mayor backs down but Bathroom Bill controversy still rages
City pastors may not have to turn in sermons but critics are unpersuaded.

Archbishop joins 40,000 Christians to pray for Nigerian schoolgirls
Following news of a deal to release the kidnapped schoolgirls, tens of thousands of Christians joined together on Saturday evening to pray for their safety.

Iraq's hard-pressed Christians face additional difficulties as winter approaches
Christians in parts of Iraq have been chased out of their towns and cities by Islamic State militants but winter will bring its own set of challenges, warns Aid to the Church in Need.

World Vision says none of its sponsored children has Ebola but the fear of infection is 'pervasive'
While West Africa grapples with one of its worst health crises in recent times, World Vision says the outbreak of Ebola has "infected" people's lives in other ways.

Families of slain hostages David Haines and Alan Henning ask people of faith to take part in 'acts of unity'
The families of murdered hostages David Haines and Alan Henning have appealed to churches, synagogues and mosques to open their doors to everyone.

Asia Bibi's husband distraught after court upholds death sentence: 'How can I tell my children their mother is not free?'
Christians around the world have reacted with dismay to the news this week that the death sentence of a Christian mother in Pakistan still stands.

After Ebola arrives in Texas, the Catholic faithful are being asked to avoid kissing or shaking hands in church
The Diocese of Fort Worth in Texas has issued new guidelines for churches following the arrival of Ebola in nearby Dallas.

Christian Bale says he had 'no idea about Moses at all' and his Bible knowledge was 'below Sunday school'
Christian Bale plays the starring role as Moses in the forthcoming movie epic Exodus: God and Kings but from recent comments, it sounds like he had to do some homework for the role.

Hopes rising that Asia Bibi's death sentence will be lifted
Christian mother charged with blasphemy could still walk free, despite her death sentence being upheld by the Pakistani courts, campaigners say.

Sen Ted Cruz says Houston sermon subpoenas put religious freedom at stake
Pastors ordered to hand over their sermons say it's an infringement of their liberties.

15 things you might not know about Ebola
Mark Woods has some surprising facts about the Ebola virus.

Polish missionary priest kidnapped by Central African Republic militia
Mateusz Dziedzic is being held hostage in exchange for the release of a guerilla leader.

Director of Public Prosecutions has made assisted suicide easier, campaigners claim
A change in the law may have been made without Parliament's consent, writes Mark Woods.

Fate of Oscar Pistorius in the balance as lawyers argue over prison sentence
His defence team say he should receive a community sentence while the prosecution argues for jail.

Mexican priests are 'most persecuted in the world'
Attacks on Mexican priests have increased by 80 per cent over the past two years, a new report has found.