• Christian Owners Of New York Venue Who Refused Lesbian Wedding Lost Second Court Appeal

  Owners of an Albany, N.Y., wedding venue who refused to host a lesbian wedding two years ago were fined $13,000 for violating the state's anti-discrimination law, and now had their second appeal rejected by a state court on Thursday. The owners' law team indicate it's a shame "farmers can't obey their faith in their own backyard."

  

• Humans Inhabited Arctic 15,000 Years Earlier Than Thought, Russian Researchers Claim

  Russian researchers contributing to the journal Science state humans were in the Arctic region as early as 45,000 years ago, which is up to 15,000 years earlier than researchers always have assumed. Distinctive injuries on a frozen mammoth carcass in Siberia now represent the first known human presence in the area.

  

• Pray 'God-Sized Prayers' and Dare to Ask Big in 2016, Encourages Pastor Joel Osteen

  "How you pray will determine what kind of life you live," says pastor Joel Osteen in his recent sermon series about God-sized prayers this month. The native Texan and pastor of Lakewood Church heads one of America's largest and fastest-growing churches.

  

• Al Sharpton: Reverend Blasts Film Industry For Lack of Racial Diversity in Oscar Nominations

  Because no minorities were nominated in the acting categories of the 88th Academy Awards this week, Rev. Al Sharpton took to the air waves Thursday to claim the situation shows the industry's "fraudulent image of progressive and liberal politics and policies." He announced he is convening a Hollywood Summit in February to highlight those studios and others in the film industry who aren't "living up to their obligations."

  

• Terrified Young Brothers Miraculously Escape ISIS, Beaten Daily for Not Being Child Soldier

  Children who refuse to fight for ISIS are being bullied, beaten and killed in Northern Iraq, cites multiple officials. Recent accounts point to 600-plus child abductions, however nearly 200 have managed to escape alive. Recent media coverage is now trying to help reveal how much psychological assistance the children refugees need.