The final verdict for condemned Christian pastor Yousef Nadarkhani is now in the hands of Iran’s Supreme Leader, the Ayatollah Khamenei, according to the French news agency Agence France-Presse. “The ayatollah has ultimate authority in the Islamic Republic of Iran,” reported the Christian Messenger. “The move to involve him in the case could mean a…

An Israeli soldier held for five years by the armed wing of Hamas will be released in exchange for the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, according to Israeli Army Radio. Israel Defense Forces soldier Gilad Schalit was kidnapped inside Israel in June 2006 by Palestinian militants after they tunneled into the Jewish…

After a strong opening weekend, the church-produced movie “Courageous” was still in the top ten at the box office for weekend two. It had debuted in the number four spot nationally, making more than $9 million nationwide — more than four times what it cost to make. Made on a $2 million budget by a…

At least 24 have died and 200 have been injured after street protests turned into violent clashes between the Egyptian army and unarmed protesters of Egypt’s Coptic Christian minority. The were protesting a lack of government response when mobs torched a number of churches. They were also calling for the repeal of a law that makes it illegal to repair or expand churches…

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