-
Freedom of Speech Reaches 'New Low' in Junta-Ruled Thailand Despite Promises to Restore Democracy
Thailand's military seized power last year with a promise to eventually restore democracy. But a crackdown against critics of the monarchy and junta suggest the country is locked on a darker trajectory, say U.N. officials and human rights activists.
-
Salvation Is Free, Pope Francis Says in Speech Warning Against Holy Year Fraudsters
Pope Francis on Wednesday warned Catholics against fraudsters who would have them pay to pass through "Holy Doors" at cathedrals around the world, a ritual in the Church's current Jubilee year.
-
San Bernardino Terrorist Was Not Fully Investigated Before U.S. Visa was Issued, Officials Reveal
U.S. authorities in Pakistan could have sought - but did not - a full background security investigation of San Bernardino shooter Tashfeen Malik before granting her a visa to enter the United States in 2014, according to a U.S. official familiar with the matter.
-
Vatican Must Step Up Prosecutions of Financial Crimes, Says European Finance Watchdog
The Vatican should be much more aggressive in dealing with people suspected of financial crimes like money laundering and step up prosecutions and indictments, a European finance watchdog agency said on Tuesday.
-
Serena Williams Named Sports Illustrated's Sportsperson of The Year
Serena Williams, who held all four of tennis's grand slam titles for the second time in her career and won 53 of 56 matches in 2015, was named Sportsperson of the Year by Sports Illustrated magazine on Monday.
-
[10th CCOWE] Edmund Chan: The Greatest Crisis Facing the Church Is Putting 'Mission Ahead of the Mandate'
Rev. Edmund Chan urged the global Church to prioritize inner spiritual formation ("Mandate") over external ministry ("Mission") to faithfully fulfill the Great Commission.
-
[10th CCOWE] Rev. Wayne Chen: When Everything Is 'Mission,' the Church Loses Its Way
Rev. Wayne Chen calls on the Chinese church to move beyond the false dichotomy between "evangelism" and "social concern," urging a return to the cross-centered Gospel as the core—trusting that the Gospel is inherently holistic and that it alone drives the church into the world without losing its focal direction.
-
[10th CCOWE] Clement Chia and Chuang Yu-ming Dialogue: 'What Kind of Christian Does the World Need?'
Revs. Chia and Chuang called the Church to return to the full, embodied Gospel of Christ the King—beyond moralism—so that believers' transformed lives visibly demonstrate God's Kingdom.
-
MyFaithTV Founders Step Down, File for Divorce After 34 Years of Marriage
André and Jenny Roebert, founders of the global Christian network MyFaithTV, are divorcing after 34 years, with Jenny citing biblical principles and severe family harm, as legal proceedings over assets and ministry leadership begin.
-
[10th CCOWE] Hong Kong International Churches See 37% Surge as Youth Seek Cultural Shift
The surge in English-speaking international churches in Hong Kong—driven by returnees and youth seeking cultural relevance—contrasts with declining Cantonese congregations, not because the gospel changes, but because church culture must evolve to foster belonging, relational warmth, and intergenerational empowerment.