U.S. House to vote on North Korea sanctions bill
The House of Representatives could vote in the coming days on legislation backed by Republican and Democratic lawmakers to broaden U.S. sanctions on North Korea.
Reuters
New York opens its first medical marijuana clinics
New York's first medical marijuana dispensaries are opening their doors on Thursday, as the state launches one of the most conservative programs of its kind in the United States.
No drop in asylum seekers reaching Germany, Berlin says
Germany has seen no drop in the number of people arriving and seeking asylum despite EU efforts to confront a migration crisis, the deputy interior minister said on Wednesday, blaming a lack of controls at Europe's borders.
Illinois college moves to fire professor who said Muslims, Christians worship same God
Wheaton College, an evangelical Christian university outside of Chicago, said on Tuesday it was taking steps to fire a tenured political science professor after she wrote in a Facebook post that Muslims and Christians worship the same God.
China says couples will not need approval to have two children
China will not require prospective parents to obtain approval to have two children under the new "two-child policy", in what appears to be a further relaxation of reproductive controls in the world's most populous country.
New York governor's order on homeless deepens chill with city mayor
New York Mayor Bill de Blasio has called an order by Governor Andrew Cuomo to force homeless people indoors when temperatures drop below freezing a redundant mandate that the city already meets.
France prepares tribute to Charlie Hebdo, Jewish shop victims
France this week commemorates the victims of last year's Islamist militant attacks on satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo and a Jewish supermarket with eulogies, memorial plaques and another cartoon lampooning religion.
Arrests, security fears dampen New Year spirit in Europe
Shaken by a year of militant attacks, Europeans will ring in 2016 in subdued fashion on Friday, with soldiers on the streets of Paris.
Erdogan vows no respite in Turkey's war on Kurdish militants
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday vowed no let-up in a military campaign which he said had killed more than 3,000 mostly Kurdish militants this year.
U.S. police get little training to handle crises with mentally ill
Most U.S. police receive little or no training on how best to handle crises involving the mentally ill despite the growing frequency of such encounters and the fatal results in a number of recent cases.
Clinton: Islamic State persecution of Christians, Yazidis, a genocide
U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton on Tuesday said that Islamic State violence against Christians, Iraqi Yazidis and other religious minorities in the Middle East was genocide.
Latest News
‘Zero A.D.’ Brings Nativity to Life Through a Story of Faith and Sacrificial Love
Director Alejandro Monteverde, best known for “Sound of Freedom,” is bringing the Nativity to the big screen this Christmas season with “Zero A.D.: The Birth of Christ,” a biblical epic highlighting the courage and faith behind the birth of Jesus. Distributed by Angel Studios, the drama-thriller opens in theaters Dec. 11 and depicts Mary and Joseph’s struggle to protect the newborn Messiah amid political turmoil.
Texas-Based Anglican Diocese Elects Paul Donison as Bishop After Months of Deadlock
The Anglican Diocese of the Western Gulf Coast has chosen the Rev. Paul Donison as its next bishop, ending months of uncertainty following an inconclusive election in May. The Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) announced Wednesday that the Texas-based diocese elected Donison on Nov. 7.
Texas Chief Justice-Elect Seeks to End Religious Exemptions for Judges Who Refuse Same-Sex Weddings
Texas Supreme Court Chief Justice-elect Maggie Ellis has announced plans to overturn a rule protecting judges who decline to officiate same-sex weddings because of their religious beliefs.
China’s New Law Expands Communist Party Control Over Religious Freedom, Report Warns
A law that came into effect this year gives the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) increased powers to restrict religious practice even as several Christians remain imprisoned for carrying out their ministries, according to an advocacy group’s new report. In the past year freedom of religion in China has deteriorated with the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress coming into effect on July1.
Calvary Chapel Pastors Push Back Against Costa Mesa’s Ordination of Women
Several pastors affiliated with the Calvary Chapel movement have publicly criticized Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa’s affirmation of women serving as pastors, following an announcement by Char Brodersen at the church that once served as the movement’s flagship congregation. The Calvary Chapel Association (CCA), through its Heartland Regional Team, reaffirmed its opposition to appointing women as pastors or elders.