International News

News from outside of Canada.

Holidays on fire: When Christmas trees and candles lead to 911 calls

December 18, 2016

In his 28 years as a New York City firefighter, Fred Fausak has been called to douse holiday flames more times than he cares to remember.

Limit on bank withdrawals dampens Christmas spirit of Christians in India

December 17, 2016

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, India – For vendor Elizabeth Antony, who ekes out a living selling fish on the roadside in the heart the capital of Kerala state, the Christmas season is not very festive.

'Have mercy on ISIS': The shocking prayer of a young Iraqi

December 16, 2016

KRAKOW, Poland – Christina Shabo was born under a tree in a refugee camp after her family fled bombing in their Iraqi hometown in 1991.

Vatican diplomat: Religious prejudice in media, public debate on rise

December 16, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Governments need to report, condemn and address all forms of discrimination against Christians, including intolerance shown in the media and public debates, said a Vatican diplomat.

Pope meets with Colombia's president and opposition rival at odds on peace deal

December 16, 2016

VATICAN CITY – Pope Francis met with the current and former presidents of Colombia, two leading figures in the country at opposite sides of a controversial peace agreement that puts an end to a decades-long civil war.

Obama administration: states cannot keep grants away from Planned Parenthood

December 16, 2016

WASHINGTON – States cannot keep federal grants away from Planned Parenthood clinics, the Obama administration ruled on Wednesday in a move that critics say is a “parting gift to Big Abortion.”

Muslims and Christians in Burma still face persecution, U.S. officials warn

December 15, 2016

WASHINGTON – Rohingya Muslims in Burma, as well as Christians, face continued persecution, destruction of homes and places of worship, and threats to their lives, human rights organizations are warning.

Italian priest cancels Nativity display to avoid offending people

December 15, 2016

MILAN, Italy – An Italian priest is under fire from locals for deciding against setting up the typical Nativity scene in his town’s cemetery this year, Italian news source Corriere della Sera reported on Friday.

Brazilian Cardinal Arns, 95, remembered for his fight for human rights

December 14, 2016

SAO PAULO – Cardinal Paulo Evaristo Arns, known as the "cardinal of the people" and one of the most active voices against Brazil's military dictatorship, died in Sao Paulo Dec. 14. The 95-year-old retired archbishop of Sao Paulo had been hospitalized since Nov. 28 with pneumonia.

ISIS may be gone, but Mosul still faces a long winter ahead

December 14, 2016

MOSUL, Iraq – Christians, Muslims and other victims of ISIS feel relief over the terrorist group being pushed back from the Nineveh Plain area of Northern Iraq, but challenges remain for the region as winter sets in.