Europe needs to unleash its banking union

Europe needs to unleash its banking unionUnicredit’s announcement last week that it had built up a 9 per cent stake in Commerzbank sparked a rare giddiness among European bank watchers. In the continent’s highly fragmented banking system, mergers are often confined to entities from the same country and lending activity is largely home-biased. Onlookers hoped the Italian bank’s move could pave the way for a deeper tie-up between Italy and Germany’s second-largest listed le

Actor Stelio Savante is one of the most well-known faces in faith content, having starred in The Chosen, Pursuit of Freedom, Nefarious, and his newest project, Between Borders, which follows the story of an Armenian family battling persecution. The film, he says, spotlights "hope and strength in weakness."Known for his roles in The Chosen and other faith-based projects, Savante highlights the power of storytelling to inspire hope and spiritual growth.

A new OnePoll survey challenges conventional beliefs, revealing that young adults in the United Kingdom are less likely to identify as atheists compared to older age groups. While only 13 percent of adults aged 18-24 consider themselves atheists, a notable 62 percent embrace spirituality—a higher percentage than any other age group. Though the findings do not suggest widespread conversion to Christianity, they highlight a growing openness to faith and spirituality among Gen Z, driven by fa

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance reaffirmed their commitment to the pro-life movement during the March for Life, with Trump pledging to protect the "historic gains" achieved under his leadership and oppose federal abortion rights in a second term. Speaking virtually, Trump and Vance emphasized support for adoption, foster care, and young families while condemning attacks on churches and pregnancy centers and calling for a cultural shift to prioritize family values and

Record-breaking downloads of the Bible app in countries with high Christian persecution highlight a global hunger for God’s Word. In regions like Egypt, Pakistan, and the Middle East, where persecution is severe, installations soared, demonstrating the resilience of faith despite opposition. As history and Scripture show, the church thrives under persecution, spreading the gospel through the perseverance of believers empowered by God’s promise that His church will prevail against all

Violetta is a woman living in a nation where she's no longer welcome.She's Armenian. Her home lies within Azerbaijan. And the two nations closest to her heart are at war. The year is 1988, and hatred shadows her every step -- at school, at the grocery store, and even along the streets, where a sign reading "Death to Armenians" hangs. Just the other night, one of her Armenian neighbors was dragged from his apartment and brutally killed. Thankfully, though, her husband has a pl

Reverend Dr. Charlie E. Dates, senior pastor of Progressive and Salem Baptist Churches in Chicago, has issued a passionate call for repentance among white evangelical pastors who celebrated Donald Trump’s presidency as a sign of divine favor. In a viral Instagram video, Dates challenged these leaders' "theological arrogance" and failure to view Scripture through the lens of history, highlighting systemic injustices like slavery and Jim Crow that contradict their narratives. Drawing on Fred

President Donald Trump pardoned 23 pro-life activists prosecuted under the FACE Act by the Biden administration for protesting at abortion clinics, citing their unjust treatment, including aggressive prison sentences. The move, celebrated by pro-life leaders and activists, comes just ahead of the annual "March for Life" rally, renewing calls to dismantle the FACE Act amid claims of its weaponization against pro-life Americans.

California is battling a new wave of wildfires fueled by severe weather, including hurricane-force winds, low humidity, and persistent drought conditions. The Hughes Fire near Castaic Lake has scorched 10,000 acres and forced mass evacuations, while Ventura County saw similar upheaval with the Laguna Fire prompting evacuations at California State University Channel Islands. Despite containment progress on earlier fires like Palisades and Eaton, red flag warnings remain in effect, signaling heigh

It's January, and that means a fresh start to a new year.Families are settling into resolutions, routines, and the quiet rhythms of winter. It's time for brisk walks, hot cocoa by the fire, and -- perhaps -- the building of snowmen.It's also a great time for a family movie night …especially if the conditions outside are just too frigid to face.Thankfully, the major streaming platforms have plenty to offer this month.Here are seven new family titles

Actor Chris Pratt is leaning on his faith after the devastating Palisades Fire that left thousands homeless and destroyed much of his community. Though his home survived “by the grace of God,” Pratt shared in an emotional Instagram video that many friends, including his ex-wife, Anna Faris, lost their homes, and his son’s school was destroyed. Despite the loss, Pratt expressed gratitude for the community's resilience and the power of prayer, even as new wildfires threaten the r

Former President Joe Biden continued the tradition of outgoing presidents leaving handwritten letters for their successors by writing a heartfelt note to Donald Trump upon leaving office in 2025. This unique moment in U.S. history marked the first instance of an outgoing president addressing a predecessor who had also previously left him a letter, emphasizing prayer, unity, and the enduring challenges of the presidency.

Contemporary worship artist Brandon Lake is collaborating with country music star Jelly Roll to reimagine Lake's hit song "Hard Fought Hallelujah," set for release on February 7. The heartfelt track, which reflects on faith, perseverance, and praise through life's battles, has garnered critical acclaim, chart-topping success, and numerous accolades for Lake, while Jelly Roll’s own journey of faith and redemption brings a powerful dynamic to the collaboration.

Incidents of Bibles surviving devastating fires have sparked conversations about the enduring nature of God’s Word, with examples ranging from Los Angeles wildfires to historical events like World War I. These remarkable occurrences, attributed to divine providence, serve as a testament to the timeless power and relevance of Scripture, offering hope amid chaos. As Isaiah 40:8 reminds us, "The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever," pointing both believ

Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington defended her sermon at the National Cathedral’s inaugural prayer service, where she urged President Trump to show mercy towards marginalized groups, including LGBTQ individuals and undocumented immigrants, emphasizing unity, dignity, and compassion. Despite backlash from Trump, who labeled her a "radical left" critic, Budde maintained her intent was to counter division and bring neglected voices into the national conversatio

An Episcopal bishop's sharp critique of President Trump during an interfaith service at the National Cathedral ignited a fierce debate over immigration, gender, and theology, reflecting a deep clash between progressive and conservative worldviews. The viral moment drew both praise and condemnation, with critics highlighting the Episcopal Church’s declining influence and accusing it of prioritizing liberal ideologies over unifying faith.

Bethel Music co-founder Jenn Johnson shared how the group’s latest album, We Must Respond, emphasizes gratitude and worship as essential reactions to God’s goodness. In an interview with The Christian Post, Johnson described the 18-track live album as an invitation to a “holy exchange” that unites listeners in worship and challenges the global Church toward unity while also creating music to inspire all generations, from children to the elderly.

President Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office that rescinds pro-gender identity policies from the Biden administration, reaffirming the recognition of only two sexes—male and female—based on biological reality. The order mandates federal agencies to enforce sex-based rights and accommodations, defines biological terms such as "male" and "female," and prohibits the use of federal funds to promote gender ideology, emphasizing the protection of women’s digni

President Donald Trump issued a blanket pardon on his first day back in office, granting "full, complete, and unconditional" clemency to over 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the January 6, 2021, Capitol protest, calling them "political hostages." The proclamation also commuted the sentences of 14 individuals and directed the attorney general to ensure the immediate release of remaining inmates, marking the move as a step toward "national reconciliation" while raising questions about