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 […]
Middle East
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 […]
Thousands demonstrate for an Islamic state in Egypt
By Ben Hubbard, The Associated Press — Originally published in the Globe and Mail Calls for an Islamic state have taken over Cairo’s Tahrir Square as the largest demonstration since February has been mobilized by the country’s Islamist organizations. Ultraconservative Muslims turned out in force Friday as hundreds of thousands […]
Pastor in Iran awaits decision on execution
By Contact News Direct A pastor in Iran found guilty of leaving Islam awaits the outcome of a judicial investigation into his spiritual background to see if he will be executed or, if possible, forced to become a Muslim, according to Christian groups with ties in Iran. The court-ordered investigation […]