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Rubio Outlines “America First” Vision in Secretary of State Confirmation Hearing

Senator Marco Rubio laid out a distinctly “America First” foreign policy vision during his confirmation hearing for Secretary of State on Wednesday, emphasizing that safety, strength, and prosperity would be the cornerstones of American diplomacy under a second Trump administration. In a hearing marked by bipartisan collegiality, Rubio criticized the current administration’s foreign policy approach, […]

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Lebanon at a Crossroads: New Leadership, Abraham Accords, and a Vision for Peace

U.S.- and Saudi-backed Joseph Aoun, entrusted with maintaining the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, pledges a state monopoly on arms and vows to usher in a “new phase” for Lebanon’s recovery and stability. In a historic and symbolic shift for Lebanon and the broader Middle East, Joseph Aoun has been elected president of Lebanon, signaling a decisive turning […]

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Dutch King Stresses Equality, Unity and Understanding in Holiday Address

Dutch King Willem-Alexander Calls for Unity in Christmas Speech In his 12th televised Christmas address, Dutch King Willem-Alexander delivered a heartfelt plea for unity and understanding amid growing societal tensions. Speaking from the white dining room at Huis ten Bosch Palace, the king emphasized the need to heal divisions and strengthen the values of equality […]

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350 Textbooks Revised: Egypt Removes Antisemitic and Anti-Christian Content

Egypt Takes Steps to Foster Religious Tolerance in Education CAIRO (Impact-se) – Egypt has taken a significant step toward improving relations with Jewish and Christian communities by reforming its state-issued textbooks to remove antisemitic and anti-Christian content. This initiative marks a milestone in fostering religious tolerance and inclusivity in Egyptian society. According to a report […]

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President Aliyev Highlights Azerbaijan’s Religious Harmony in Letter to Pope Francis

Baku, December 24 (AZERTAC) – President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan has underscored the significant role of the Christian community in Azerbaijani society in a letter to Pope Francis on the occasion of Christmas. “The Christian community holds a distinctive place in modern Azerbaijani society. Our Christian citizens, who have settled in Azerbaijan and lived here […]

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USCIRF Welcomes Senator Schumer’s Appointment of Ariela Dubler to U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom

USCIRF Welcomes Senator Schumer’s Appointment of Ariela Dubler to U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom Washington, DC – Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) announced on December 20, 2024 the appointment of Ariela Dubler to the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). “We enthusiastically welcome Ariela Dubler’s appointment to the Commission,” stated USCIRF Chair Stephen Schneck. “Her […]

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European Parliament Re-establishes Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief

Brussels, Belgium – The European Parliament has taken a significant step to protect religious freedom by re-establishing the Intergroup on Freedom of Religion or Belief. This bipartisan initiative, co-chaired by Bert-Jan Ruissen (SGP, ECR) and Miriam Lexmann (EPP), aims to address the growing global threat to religious freedom. The re-establishment of the intergroup comes at […]

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USCIRF Releases Factsheet on Key International Religious Freedom Appointments for the Incoming Donald J. Trump Administration

Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on Friday released the following report:  Key IRF-Related Positions – This factsheet provides an overview of the key political appointments within the U.S. government that are most relevant to international religious freedom (IRF). The primary IRF positions that the president appoints derive from the International […]

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MRM Launches to Empower Religious Minorities in Pakistan, says Pervez Rafique

Lahore: In a significant development for Pakistan’s religious minorities, the Minorities Rights Movement (MRM) has officially launched, with the aim of empowering and protecting minority rights across the nation. Pervez Rafique, former Member of the Punjab Assembly and Central President of the MRM, shared the organization’s mission and vision in an exclusive interview with Gospel […]

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Ukrainian Council of Churches Shares Key Insights During European Consultation on Just Peace

Rev. Anatolyi Raychynets, Vice-Chairman of the Ukrainian Council of Churches and Religious Organisations, and Deputy General Secretary of the Ukrainian Bible Society, reflected on how Ukrainian churches perceive the concept of just peace. “For over a thousand days, our people have been courageously defending their homeland, their homes, and the right to life,” he said. […]