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Italy Impounds 3,500 Counterfeit 'Apostolic Blessings' In Rome During Pope Francis' Holy Year Celebration
At least 3,500 fake Vatican parchments that were being sold to unsuspecting pilgrims taking part in Pope Francis' Holy Year celebrations were seized Monday by Police in Rome, according to Associated Press sources.

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Evangelicals Key Swing In New Iowa Presidential Poll, Ted Cruz Soars While Ben Carson Drops
GOP presidential candidate Ted Cruz surged ahead of fellow candidates Ben Carson and Donald Trump in a Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics poll released Saturday. Although Carson appointed a faith adviser at the end of November, this new poll indicated one reason for Cruz's rise was the support of 45 percent evangelical conservatives and 39 percent of tea party conservatives.

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Jesus' Face Drawn By Medical Artist Based on Forensic Anthropological Research Trends on News
A particular illustration of Jesus' face has surfaced on the Internet, and is attracting quite a bit of traffic and comments. Richard Neave, a medical artist retired from the University of Manchester in England, drew the “real” face of Jesus, based on a skeletal discovery from British scientists, assisted by Israeli archaeologists. This image is now believed to be most accurate image of the most famous face in human history.

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Joey and Rory Video Update: Terminally Ill Singer Joey Martin Feek's Daughter Motivates Her through Christmas Season
Although Joey Martin Feek is extremely weakened from dealing with the last stages of cervical cancer, it was still a pleasant weekend for her and husband Rory Feek of country music duo Joey + Rory, because she was able to get out of bed and interact with their daughter, Indiana.

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Complaint About Nativity Scene on New Mexico City Property Prompts Bigger Christmas Festival
When an atheist group mailed Belen, N.M., city leaders a complaint about a nativity scene placed on property across from City Hall, Belen officials initiated a new "Follow the Star to Bethlehem" event, which became the city's biggest Christmas occasion ever. Belen, a city founded in 1740, is Spanish for Bethlehem. It reportedly was named by two Spaniards deliberately in honor of Bethlehem, making this complaint a bit more personal than usual.

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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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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.

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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.
