• ISIS' Overtaking of Palmyra Marks 'Fall of a Civilization' as Fears Mount for Region's Historic Ruins, Statues

  Experts have warned that the Islamic State's swift overtaking of the city of Palmyra, Syria marks the "the fall of a civilization", as the militant group is known for its brutal destruction of historic artifacts and structures.

  

• Rifqa Bary, Who Converted From Islam to Christianity, Shares Her Miraculous Journey: 'The Love Of God Overwhelmed Me'

  Rifqa Bary, the Ohio woman who made national headlines in 2009 when she ran away from her Muslim family after secretly converting to Christianity, recently opened up about her radical conversion, explaining that she left Islam after experiencing the love of God "in such a way where I had to give myself and I couldn't hold back and I had to leave."

  

• #ToyLikeMe: Toy-Making Company Makies to Sell 'Beautiful' Dolls with Disabilities, Birthmarks

  A British toy-making company Makies has started producing dolls that have walking aids, hearing aids and birthmarks, promoting the idea that it's important for children to see their disabilities reflected as normal and beautiful.

  

• China's President Xi Says 'Religions Must Be Free of Foreign Influence' as Province Drafts Regulations on Church Crosses

  China's president warned Wednesday that religions must be independent from foreign influence as Beijing seeks alternate measures to to control Christianity and its rapid growth within the country.

  

• Chinese Woman Ordered to Undergo Late-Term Abortion Permitted to Keep Child Following Public Outrage

  A pregnant woman from China who was ordered to have a late-term abortion after she moved to an area with different rules on the one-child policy has been told she can keep the baby amid public outrage.