By Benjamin Weinthal – originally published in Jerusalem Post Iran’s government and security apparatus have ratcheted up the pressure on Evangelical pastor Youcef Nadarkhani to convert to Islam or face execution, Fox News reported on Saturday. Youcef Nadarkhani, now 34, was arrested in 2009 for questioning the compulsory Islamic education […]
Middle East
Gilad Shalit Release: Israeli Soldier Home After 5 Years; 477 Palestinian Prisoners Freed
Originally published in Christian Post The Middle East has been abuzz Tuesday after an Israeli soldier held captive by Hamas for five years returned to the Jewish state, while hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, many held for violent crimes, were released in exchange for his freedom. Shalit, 25, was greeted by […]
‘Minor victory’ in case of Iranian pastor facing death sentence threat
Originally published in Baptist Press The attorney for imprisoned Iranian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani has confirmed that Iran’s Supreme Court will review his case if the appeals court returns it, CNN reported on Ocober 13. “The reversal is a minor victory for the two-year-old legal battle; the Supreme Court passed on […]
Egypt’s finance minister resigns – then changes his mind
Originally published in The Sydney Morning Herald Egypt’s Finance Minister Hazem el-Beblawi has reversed his decision to quit after the country’s military rulers urged him to stay, capping a day of confusion as officials seek a transition to civilian rule after February’s revolution that ousted Hosni Mubarak. ”It’s more logical […]
Egyptians mourn massacre of Coptic Christians
[notice]Orthodox leaders call for three days of fasting, prayer, mourning.[/notice] By Wayne King — Compass Direct News Funeral services were held yesterday in Cairo for some of the victims of a military attack against a group of Christian protestors that left 26 dead and hundreds wounded. In the wake of what […]
Iranian court tells pastor to return to Islam or face execution
Originally published in BosNewsLife An Iranian court has asked the pastor of one of Iran’s largest house church movements to abandon his faith in Christ and return to Islam if he wants to avoid execution, a church official told BosNewsLife Sunday, September 25. On “the first day” of his trial […]
Abbas: Decision on UN bid will take weeks, not months
By Reuters — originally published in Jerusalem Post Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday he expected the Security Council to finish debating his nation’s application for full UN membership within weeks, not months. His comments came as reaction to speculations that the Security Council could potentially sit on […]
Tensions over Palestinian statehood reach boiling point
By Chris Mitchell and John Waage — Originally published in CBN News The showdown over the Palestinians’ UN bid for statehood bid has reached the 11th hour. Despite strong pressure from the US, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he’ll ask for full UN membership in his Friday speech to the […]
US and Palestine headed for showdown over UN application for statehood?
By Nicola Menzie – Originally published in Christian Post As Palestinians officially kick off their bid for statehood recognition by the United Nations, a Jewish interest group is calling on President Barack Obama to stand firm with Israel and reverse his so-called “anti-Israel” stance. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has said […]
Blast near church in Kirkuk, Iraq injures 13
By Damaris Kremida – Compass Direct News A car blast outside a Syrian Catholic church in Kirkuk, Iraq yesterday morning left 13 wounded as police located and disarmed two more car bombs targeting churches in the city, according to area sources. Online video images of the attack against the Holy […]