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Did Prince's Religion Contribute To His Opioid Death?
After weeks of speculation, law enforcement officials confirmed on May 28 that legendary pop music performer Prince died of an opioid overdose, according to the Associated Press. Many people still are asking whether Prince's dedication to the Jehovah's Witness religion played a role in his choosing to not receive more aggressive surgical treatment for his hips.

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Judge Sentenced Catholic to Attend Baptist Church Rather Than Go to Jail
In Ohio, Judge William Mallory is known for handing out creative sentences from his Hamilton County Courthouse bench, but one ruling he issued last week has attracted much attention. Instead of sending Jake Strotman to jail on a misdemeanor for an attempted assault conviction, Mallory sent the 23-year-old Catholic to a Baptist church for the next 12 Sundays.

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Church ‘Birthday Ambassador’ Dies At Age 111 After Starting Ministry at 105
Jean Christy, 111 years old, was a devout United Methodist who will be missed every time other people's birthdays come around in her congregation in southwestern North Carolina. She died May 28, leaving a void as the community's phone-based "birthday ambassador." The congregation of Andrews United Methodist Church celebrated Christy's life on June 4.

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Christian Leaders of 200 Countries Create World Bible Blueprint for 'Hands, Heads, Hearts'
A billion humans, or one in seven people on Earth, do not have the full Bible available in their native language. But there is an organizational network of Christians whose mission it is to change that statistic by 2025 through the work of the United Bible Societies.

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Cameroon Christian Relies 'On God's Word' Amidst Muslim Terrorists Boko Haram
Jacqueline Zoutene's father was a pastor, so she grew up with God's Word in Central Africa. Now, as she sees her region being terrorized by the Muslim sect Boko Haram, she fears for her loved ones but continues to draw her strength from the Bible. In fact, she turned her commitment to God into a job working for the United Bible Societies since 2006.

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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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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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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.
