World

Latest News

New York City pastor dies of coronavirus, spends last moments quarantined away from family

Rev. Isaac Graham, the pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Harlem, New York City, has died after contracting the coronavirus. The 66-year-old died just six days after testing positive amid the coronavirus pandemic currently devastating countries around the world.

Trump, Pence join 700 pastors in prayer call during coronavirus outbreak

President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence joined over 700 pastors on a conference call Friday to pray for strength and stamina amid the novel coronavirus outbreak.
Multiple periods of social distancing will be needed to beat coronavirus, Harvard researchers say

Multiple periods of controlled social distancing measures will be necessary into 2022 to beat the new coronavirus if there are no other treatments implemented to fight it, such as a vaccine or expanding critical care capacity, according to a group of Harvard researchers studying the pandemic.
Christians of all denominations respond to Pope's call to prayer for coronavirus

Christians of all denominations have responded to the Pope's call to prayer in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

Boris Johnson tests positive for coronavirus

Mr Johnson confirmed on Twitter: "Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus. I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government's response via video-conference as we fight this virus.
Seniors left to die at retirement homes amid coronavirus outbreak, Spain's defense minister reveals

Several patients at senior homes in Spain have been found dead after being abandoned by staff during the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the country's defense minister revealed, and prosecutors are now promising to prosecute those responsible.
BBC investigation reveals prevalence of violence during sex

Seven in ten men said they had taken part in "rough sex", with over half saying pornography had influenced their behaviour.
Lambeth Conference of Anglican bishops postponed until 2021 because of coronavirus

The Lambeth Conference, a major gathering of bishops from across the worldwide Anglican Communion, has been postponed until 2021 due to coronavirus.
London churches close their doors as capital grapples with UK's worst coronavirus outbreak

Bishops in London - the UK's coronavirus epicentre - have gone one step further than official Church of England guidance requires and closed their church buildings in addition to suspending public worship.
60-y-o pastor identified as Malaysia's first coronavirus victim; son says 'death has no sting'

A 60-year-old pastor has become the first patient with COVID-19 to die in Malaysia as the country's coronavirus cases climb to the highest in Southeast Asia.
Is coronavirus hampering religious freedom rights worldwide? USCIRF explains

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is calling on world governments to account for religious freedom in their responses to the coronavirus outbreak, citing concerns with some government and societal responses to the crisis.
Members of Congress demand India release detained American pastor Bryan Nerren

Members of Congress are demanding that the government of India release a Tennessee pastor who continues to be detained in the country even after he resolved a customs case brought against him for allegedly not paying duty on money he brought into the country.
Trump declares National Day of Prayer for 'protection & strength' amid Coronavirus crisis

Donald Trump has announced that Sunday 15 March will be a National Day of Prayer in the United States amid the coronavirus health crisis.
More churches move online as coronavirus spreads

"We're thankful for technology that allows us to host church online and stay connected as a community during this time," said Bethel Church.
Increasing violence against Christians in Nigeria; 350 killed in first 2 months of 2020

Since the beginning of 2020, at least 350 Christians have been killed across West African countries, a Nigerian civil society organization claims.
Inovio Pharmaceuticals on a race to deliver COVID-19 vaccine to the world receives $5M from Gates Foundation

Inovio Pharmaceuticals in San Diego that created vaccines for Zika and Ebola is now on a race to develop a vaccine for the novel coronavirus and deliver it to the world.
Vatican closes St Peter's Square and Basilica to tourists

During his livestreamed General Audience, the Pope thanked "men and women of goodwill who are praying - united together, no matter the religious tradition to which they belong".
Wife of abducted Malaysian pastor honored as "women of courage"

On March 4, Susanna Liew, wife of Malaysian pastor Raymond Koh abducted in 2017, was honored with the U.S. State Department's International Women of Courage Award.
Glasgow Archdiocese cancels Lent festival over coronavirus concerns

The Archdiocese of Glasgow has cancelled its Lenten arts festival over concerns about the coronavirus outbreak.