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Backpage.com Sex Ad Update: Sex Trafficking, Prostitution Ads Shut Down on World's Largest Online Brothel
Backpage.com, a website notorious for its facilitation of prostitution and sex trafficking shut down the "adult" sexual services advertising section of its website. The website, which Polaris Project calls "the world's top online brothel," removed the prostitution ads' section hours after a scathing U.S. Senate report concluded the website was the "largest commercial sex services advertising platform in the United States."

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Christian Ministers Urge Congress To Save Religious 'The Word Network' on Comcast
Christian ministers went to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., Wednesday to appeal to Congressional members about Comcast Corporation's recent actions to decrease or cease distribution of The Word Network, the largest African-American religious network in the world that was reaching 3 billion people around the globe. On Nov. 11, 2016, Comcast executives sent a two-sentence letter to The Word Network, stating it will no longer offer the channel to millions of subscribers on 456 Comcast systems.

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Evangelical Fuller Seminary to Lead Plan to Foster Unity With Muslims, Address Islamophobia
Fuller Theological Seminary received a new $50,000 grant from the Henry Luce Foundation to assist evangelical communities in fostering peaceful, respectful engagement with Muslims neighbors. Fuller is the largest multi-denominational seminary in the world.

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Cross, Menorah 2,100-Year-Old Etched Symbols Found in Judean Foothills by Hikers
Three caves and hiking enthusiasts just discovered significant religious symbols dating back to Jesus Christ's era, according to an Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) announcement. A cross, plus an ancient seven-branched menorah, was found engraved on the walls of an early water cistern in Judean foothills. The etchings are believed to be more than 2,100 years old.

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Dylann Roof Death Sentence: 'May God Have Mercy on Your Soul' Says One Survivor
A federal judge in South Carolina formally sentenced mass murderer Dylann Roof to death on Wednesday, one day after jury members recommended he be executed for killing nine people through gunfire inside an Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston on June 17, 2015. The victims, all African-Americans, had been attending a prayer service. Roof is the first person to be sentenced to death in a federal trial that included hate crimes' charges, according to the Death Penalty Informatio

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Qatar Evangelical Alliance breaks ground on worship center, witnessing Christ in a Muslim nation
A worship center for evangelical churches has commenced construction in Qatar, marking a significant spiritual milestone in the history of evangelicals in the country.

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Hong Kong's deadliest fire in a Century: churches mobilize and pray to support the community
On 26 November, a severe level‑five fire broke out at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. Early reports said at least 13 people died and 23 were injured. Local churches mobilize to support the community and pray.

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Faith and freedom: USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler shares insights on China’s religious landscape
As China continues to update its religious regulations, changes in the country’s faith environment and space for religious practice have drawn increased global attention. In this interview, USCIRF Chair Vicky Hartzler responds to questions about religious policy, human rights, and faith, offering her perspectives on China’s current situation and sharing words of support and encouragement for Christians facing challenges.

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U.S. Congressional hearing highlights religious freedom challenges facing Chinese Christians and other faith communities
A recent U.S. congressional hearing cast a spotlight on religious freedom conditions in China, with witnesses sharing firsthand accounts of pressure faced by Christian, Muslim, and Tibetan Buddhist communities.

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Christians gather in Hong Kong to pray for victims of Tai Po Hong Fu Court fire
More than 1,000 Christians gathered in Hong Kong on Dec. 5 for a united prayer service commemorating the victims of the five-alarm fire that devastated Hong Fu Court in Tai Po on Nov. 26, destroying thousands of homes and killing 159 people.
