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Saudi Arabia

Saudi-Iran row deepens as calls for restraint grow

The rift between Saudi Arabia and Iran over the Sunni kingdom’s execution of a Shia cleric widened as Riyadh halted trade and travel ties on top of

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia breaks off diplomatic ties with Iran

Saudi Arabia has cut off diplomatic ties with Iran following the storming of its embassy in Tehran. Iran’s envoy has been given 48 hours to quit the

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Urbi et Orbi

Pope Francis marks Christmas Day with the traditional “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and the world) message from the central balcony of St. Peter’s

United Kingdom

Britain's Royal Family attends traditional Sandringham church service

Britain’s Royal Family has attended the annual Christmas church service in the Norfolk village of Sandringham. Nearly a thousand well-wishers waited

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World News

Pope Francis blessing in Rome invokes Christmas to dispel anxiety

In St Peter’s Square in Rome, in the presence of some 10,000 faithful gathered before the Basilica, Pope Francis has delivered his traditional

Vatican

Pope urges return to simplicity at Christmas Eve mass

Pope Francis celebrated Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in front of a congregation of 10,000 people. He used the opportunity to remind

World News

Bethlehem: Christmas in the birthplace of Christianity

Bethlehem, the birthplace of Christianity, prepares to celebrate Christmas, despite the recent wave of deadly violence in the region.

World News

#MyTreedom: Christmas banned in Brunei

Committed Christmassers launch #hashtag campaign

Malaysia

Malaysia's first Islamic airline takes to the skies

Malaysia’s first Islamic airline has taken to the skies, offering a service that adheres to strict religious rules. Rayani Air offers onboard

Germany

Celebrating Star Wars in a galaxy not so far away

Vatican

Pope Francis pledges to cleanse spiritual 'diseases' during Curia speech

Pope Francis is vowing to push ahead with moves to cleanse Church bureaucracy, amid scandals and charges of greed and corruption. It came during

World News

Sainthood for Mother Teresa confirmed after Vatican recognises second miracle

Mother Teresa was beatified in 2003 after the recognition of her first miracle, but two are needed for sainthood

World News

60-year-old pastor gets hard labour for life in North Korea

North Korea’s highest court has sentenced a South Korea-born Canadian pastor to hard labour for life for subversion, China’s official news agency

Explore

Uzbekistan life: The Buddhist legacy of Termez

At the southern-most tip of Uzbekistan, Termez has a long and rich history. It was once at the heart of Buddhism in Central Asia and also one of the

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Traveller's diary: Termez

Germany

German police arrest 5 people in exorcism death probe

German police have arrested five people suspected of beating a 41-year-old woman to death as part of an exorcist ritual. They are accused of

World News

Trump is condemned both at home and abroad for US Muslim ban call

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump has stirred up a storm with his call for a ban on Muslims entering the US. His remarks have been

USA

Trump's comments condemned by Muslims around the world

Indonesia, home of the world’s largest Muslim population, is adding its voice to the global outrage over Donald Trump’s comments. The country’s top

World News

Trump: reaction swings from anger to derision

Donald Trump’s call to ban Muslims from entering the United States has been met with every sentiment from shock to derision. In a campaign statement

World News

Pope officially opens the Holy Year of Mercy

Tens of thousands of faithful have turned out, amid tight security in the wake of recent terrorist attacks