80-year old US Pastor abducted by gang in Haiti; “I’ve come to plead”

An 80-year old American citizen and pastor Jean Pierre Ferrer Michel remains in captivity after being abducted by gunmen in Haiti on October 3, nearly two weeks before 16 American missionaries and a Canadian were kidnapped together by a Haitian gang on the island, the Miami Herald (MH) reports. Both the US Embassy and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have reportedly been contacted about Pastor Michel’s situation on account of his US citizenship.

Officials say Iran responsible for drone attack on US base in Syria

US Defense officials said Monday they believe Iran was behind last week’s drone attack on an American military base in Syria, the Associated Press (AP) reports. Although the drones involved in the attack on the al-Tanf base were discovered to be Iranian, officials said it appears they were not launched from Iran.

Cuban government seeking 10-year jail term for Pastor, “My children and I plead for help”

Authorities in Cuba are looking to impose a 10-year prison sentence on a pastor who participated in nationwide peaceful protests against the government on July 11, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. Currently held at the Boniato maximum security prison, Pastor Lorenzo Rosales Fajardo of the Monte de Sion Independent Church in Palma Soriano has been charged with ‘public disorder,’ and ‘disrespect’ among other offenses.

Christian employers group files suit against government mandates requiring believers to provide insurance cover for gender transition surgeries

A non-profit organization representing Christian employers has filed suit against two federal government departments for issuing mandates that would require Christian employers and medical personnel to pay for or perform gender transition surgeries, Just the News reports. The suit claims the government mandates are in violation of constitutional religious freedom rights.

US Envoy Says Iran Nuclear Deal Effort Is at ‘Critical Phase’

Efforts to revive the 2015 Iran nuclear deal are at a “critical phase” and Tehran’s reasons for avoiding talks are wearing thin, a U.S. official said Monday while raising the possibility of further diplomacy even if the deal cannot be resuscitated.

Coup Underway In Sudan; Prime Minister Detained

Sudan’s army took the prime minister to an undisclosed location in a coup early Monday, overshadowing attempts to introduce regular civil leadership after three decades.

Morocco: New liberal government heralds greater freedom for Christians

Christians in Morocco are expected to enjoy greater religious freedom since the September 8 election of a new liberal government, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports. The recent election resulted in victory for the National Rally of Independents party, bringing the 10-year reign of the Islamist Justice and Development Party to an end.

Hindu radicals violently attack Christian congregation, women seriously injured

Hindu extremists last week violently attacked a home prayer meeting attended by 50 Christians in India’s Chhattisgarh state, severely injuring a number of women and making one of them eat cow dung, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports. Persecution against Christians in India has intensified dramatically since the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in 2014.

Canada: Pastor spends second night in jail to stand for religious freedom

A pastor in Manitoba, Canada spent an additional night in prison last week after rejecting bail conditions that would have prevented him from preaching at his church, Fox News reports. Pastor Tobias Tissen who leads Manitoba’s Church of God Restoration was imprisoned for two days after violating a COVID-19 order which banned outdoor gatherings of more than five people.

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