The trio, who had been volunteering with the US-based evangelical group Vision Beyond Borders, were detained in Laos on 8th April for proselytising.

According to a Facebook post, they entered into neighbouring Thailand on Thursday evening.

It said: “May God give them swift and safe travels all the way home.

“Thank you to everyone for your prayers and support.

“Please remember the Church in Laos this Easter season as we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour!”

Named only as Wayne, Autumn and Joseph, they were arrested during visits to villages in Luang Namtha, a north-western province.

They were handing out religious material without permission, according a local policeman quoted by the US government-funding Radio Free Asia.

Authorities in Buddhist-majority Laos are keen to stop the spread of other religions.

Christianity is perceived by Laos to be a “hostile western ideology”, according to Open Doors which ranks the country 19th in its list of countries where persecution against believers is worst.

Formerly known as Asian Vision, Vision Beyond Border was founded in 1994 in Casper, Wyoming by Patrick Klein.

Statement regarding the detention of three American volunteers in Laos. pic.twitter.com/zf1wne7VCO

— VisionBeyondBorders (@VBB__) April 13, 2019

The organisation claims to have distributed more than one…

Elim Tamil Church, which meets at a school near Woodgrange Park, said family members of a small number of its members were among the dead.

Senior Pastor Daniel Stanley told Premier: “It’s absolutely devastating.

“Ten years after civil year, we did not even imagine these kinds of attacks would take place again and that these kinds of tragedies would take place again.”

Nine explosions – including seven by suicide bombers – have left almost 300 people dead, according to senior Sri Lankan authorities.

Eight Britons are thought to be among the dead. Twenty-four suspects are in custody, officials say.

Blasts struck three churches – St Anthony’s Shrine in Colombo, St Sebastian’s in Negombo and at Zion Church in the eastern town of Batticaloa.

On this holy day, let us stand with the people of Sri Lanka in prayer, condolence and solidarity as we reject all violence, all hatred and all division.

— Archbishop of Canterbury (@JustinWelby) April 21, 2019

The Cinnamon Grand, Kingsbury and Shangri-La hotels were among other locations targeted.

Pastor Stanley said he had personally checked with everyone at his church to find out whether they had been affected.

He added: “We can’t take this again after ten years of civil war. This has to be stopped and every spirit of terrorism has to be…

Rev Sue Parfitt was briefly held on Maundy Thursday after being detained at Oxford Circus, where activists fixed a boat, blocking-off the busy junction to road traffic.

Speaking before her arrest, she said: “It has been such a sweltering hot day today. We have all been sharing sun cream and water but I would really rather be at home in the shade.

“The only reason I’m here is because this is an emergency and we must take action now. That’s why I’m prepared to be arrested.

“If it makes people in power pay attention and it ends the suffering of climate breakdown it will be worthwhile.”

Rev Parfitt was among several people who had, earlier in the week, used metal chains to lock themselves underneath a lorry by Marble Arch.

Rev Parfitt belongs to the Christian Climate Action which, earlier on Thursday, held a foot washing ceremony for fellow protestors and members of the public.

It’s been so wonderful having so many new supporters.
We want to make sure not to lose any of you
We have 2 email lists, a do-ers list and a prayers list.
If you’d like to be added to either, please do PM us and you can keep up to date with aaaaaall the things we are doing pic.twitter.com/BKPDpaLFsn

— Christian Climate Action (@CClimateAction) April 22, 2019

A total of 963 had been arrested during the Extinction Rebellion demonstrations as of 7pm last night, according to the Metropolitan…

The 30 year old requested a Code of Conduct hearing with Rugby Australia last week, days after his contract was terminated by the country’s governing body for the sport.

In a statement, it revealed the meeting shall take place in Sydney on Saturday 4th May.

The message continued: “The hearing will be heard by a three-member panel consisting of John West QC (Chair), Kate Eastman SC, and John Boultbee SC at the Rugby Australia Building in Sydney.

“Sunday 5th May has also been reserved in the event the hearing is required to extend to a second day.”

Journalists are not being allowed to sit in on the meeting, standard Rugby Australia procedure dictates.

The Wallabies and New South Wales Waratahs fullback was accused earlier this month of issuing a homophobic comment after he listed homosexuals among a list of people for whom “hell awaits” unless they repent.

Folau had been “repeatedly” warned in the past about his activity on social media, Rugby Australia said when it announced his dismissal last Monday.

A statement issued at the time said: “It was made clear to him that any social media posts or commentary that is in any way disrespectful to people because of their sexuality will result in disciplinary action.”

Separately, the…

According to local media, Toby and Milly Savill were on a Santorini mountain when the vehicle they were travelling in fell into a 200-metre ravine.

Mrs Savill’s father, Steve Coulson, the vicar of St Mark’s Kennington Church, said: “Milly and Toby were married in 2017 and were utterly devoted to one another.

“Their families are so proud of them, and although devastated, we are comforted by having shared so many wonderful times of love and joy together.

“Toby and Milly were passionate about their Christian faith, and we are being sustained by the same sure hope of Easter Resurrection.”

The incident happened last Sunday afternoon on the Profitis Ilias summit.

Mr Savill, who was 26, taught history at Ark Evelyn Grace Academy in Brixton.

Principal Tim Dainty said: “Everyone here at Evelyn Grace Academy is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Toby Savill and his wife, Milly.

“Understandably, this news has come as a real shock to us all and so we will be working with counsellors to support those staff and students who require it at this difficult time.”

Mrs Savill, 25, worked at St Anne’s Catholic primary school in Vauxhall.

Head teacher Catherine Davis said: “Mrs Savill was a dearly, much loved teacher and member of staff at St Anne’s.

“Such young lives cut short when so young…