Released: After 5 years of captivity by Pakistani militant group, Canadian-American family set free

Caitlan Coleman and Josh Boyle who were kidnapped by militants in 2012. Twitter

An American woman and her family have been freed after being held by a Pakistan-based militant group for five years.

Caitlan Coleman and her family were released after US officials provided recently acquired intelligence on the family's location to Pakistan's government in recent days, according to The Independent.

Coleman, 32, was seven months pregnant when she was abducted by the 'Haqqani network' alongside her Canadian husband Josh Boyle.

'The success underscores the importance of timely intelligence sharing and Pakistan's continued commitment towards fighting this menace through cooperation between two forces against a common enemy,' said a statement from Pakistani officials this morning.

US President Donald Trump appeared to hint of impending news of the family's release during a speech at Coleman's home state of Pennsylvania.

'Something happened today, where a country that totally disrespected us called with some very, very important news,' Trump said.

'And one of my generals came in. They said, "You know, I have to tell you, a year ago they would've never done that." It was a great sign of respect.

'You'll probably be hearing about it over the next few days. But this is a country that did not respect us. This is a country that respects us now. The world is starting to respect us again, believe me.'

News
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day

A major fire tore through one of Amsterdam’s best-known historic buildings in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seriously damaging the property and forcing people to leave nearby homes.

Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures
Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures

Rwandan President Paul Kagame defended the government's forced closure of Evangelical churches, accusing them of being a “den of bandits” led by deceptive relics of colonialism. 

We are the story still being written
We are the story still being written

The story of Christ continues in the lives of those who take up His calling.

Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas
Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas

International Christian Concern reported more than 80 incidents in India, some of them violent, over Christmas.