• All 19 Korean Hostages Released

  The final three South Korean hostages have been released, bringing the total to seven the number of those freed on Thursday and what looks to be an end to the six-week hostage drama that made headlines around the world.

  

• 12 Korean Hostages Released by Taliban

  The Taliban released four more South Korean hostages Wednesday following the release of eight earlier in the day, bringing the militant group only seven away from fulfilling its promise to release all its captives.

  

• Evangelistic Graham Fest Breaks Record with 186,000 in Ecuador

  American evangelist Franklin Graham made history this past weekend by attracting a crowd of 185,674 people to the Festival of Hope – the largest evangelical event in Ecuador’s history.

• China Intensifies Crackdown on Church Activities

  China has witnessed an increase in the number of “illegal” Christian groups who have been arrested across the country after a crackdown ordered by the Chinese government last month, reported a Chinese persecution watch group on Friday.

• S. Korean Hostages Said to be Healthy

  The remaining 19 Korean aid volunteers held hostage in Afghanistan are reportedly in good health, reporters were told Friday by an Afghan doctor who is in regular contact with a senior Taliban commander.