By Ethan Cole : Breaking Christian News: World, Business, and More

Reporter : By Ethan Cole

Americans Asked to 'Offset' Made-in-China Christmas Presents

A rights coalition is encouraging Americans to “offset” their “made-in-China” Christmas purchases this year with donations and prayers to North Korean refugees who suffer under the Chinese government’s policy of forceful repatriation.
Christians Push Human Rights on Anniversary

As the world marks the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, different groups are using the opportune moment to push the United Nations and governments to make religious freedom and the protection of family higher priorities.
Over 400 College Students in Beijing Detained

More than 400 Christian college students were arrested and interrogated in a span of about a month in Beijing, a China-focused human rights group reported this week.
Christians Urge Obama to Make Mideast Peace a Priority

Christian leaders across denominational lines are signing onto an ecumenical letter that urges President-elect Barack Obama to make Israel-Palestinian peace a priority in his incoming administration.
Terror Attacks May Boost Hindu Party in Election

A Christian mission group is fearful that the recent terror attacks by Muslim militants will help a Hindu nationalist party gain control of the government.
Houses of Worship Burned, Over 300 Killed in Nigeria

More than 300 people have died in Muslim-Christian clashes in the worst sectarian violence in Nigeria since 2004, when some 700 people were killed.
Church Groups Respond as Congo Conflict Deepens

Church-related aid agencies are assisting civilians displaced by the eastern Congo conflict as the U.N. special envoy made another effort on Friday to arrange peace talks between Congo’s government and Tutsi rebels.
China, N. Korea Reject U.N. Rights Abuse Charge

Communist neighbors the People’s Republic of China and North Korea vehemently denied that their governments engage in systematic torture of political and criminal detainees as claimed by the United Nations.
Group Opposes Claim Against 'Unnecessary' Bible Smuggling in China

A U.S.-based rights group countered a claim by the Bible Society in China this past week that the smuggling of Bibles into the country is now unnecessary given the mass printing of scriptures by the government-approved printing press.
Rights Group Urges Ban Ki-moon to Visit Burma

Christian human rights group is urging U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to maintain his plan to visit Burma next month in light of the junta’s recent arbitrary imprisonment of dozens of pro-democracy activists.
Int'l Furor over Forced Abortion Case in China

The international community is outraged and warns China it is watching closely the case of a Muslim Uyghur woman who is being forced against her will to have an abortion.
World Leaders Meet for U.N. Religious Tolerance Talk

Heads of state convened at the U.N. headquarters on Wednesday to begin talks on how to foster religious tolerance, but little headway was made because of underlying differences.
Lutherans Worldwide Celebrate Martin Luther's Baptism

Lutheran congregations worldwide are joining in celebration on Tuesday for the 525th anniversary of the baptism of protestant reformation founder Martin Luther.
China to Issue Human Rights Plan, Official Says

China will issue a “human rights action plan” that will seek to “expand democracy and strengthen the rule of law,” a Chinese official said this week.
Prominent Muslims Criticize Attacks on Iraqi Christians

A group of high-level Muslim leaders condemned the recent flare in violence against Iraqi Christians and said that there was no justification in Islam for the attacks.
'No God' Ads to Hit London Buses

London buses may soon be plastered with ads proclaiming “There’s probably no God,” if a British atheist group has its way.
Orthodox Churches Commit to Overcoming Internal Division

Leaders of major Orthodox branches have recommitted themselves to overcoming internal conflicts, a unity effort that one leader says will have an impact on the global Christian church.
Evidence Concocted in Hindu Murder Case, Christians Retort

Circulating documents that implicate Christians planned the murder of a Swami are forged, declared Indian Christian leaders.
American Rights Activist Wins 2008 Seoul Peace Prize

Long-time human rights activist Suzanne Scholte became the 9th Seoul Peace Prize laureate Tuesday for her work promoting freedom and human rights for the North Korean people and the Sharawi refugees of Western Sahara.
Major Global Prayer Initiative for Jerusalem Peace Begins

Millions of Christians from around the world are expected to take part in the Day of Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem on Sunday.
EU Lauded for Pressing Iran to Drop Apostasy Bill

A Christian human rights group applauded the European Union for issuing a declaration to Iran that urged the repressive state to drop its draft apostasy bill and to release Christian converts from detention.
Giant Evangelical Bodies Announce Global Partnership

The world’s largest evangelical network and one of the world’s largest Christian relief organizations announced their global partnership on Wednesday.
India Peace Rally to Coincide with PM's U.S. Visit

A rally and prayer vigil to demand a stop to religious violence against Christians in India will take place in front of the White House Thursday to coincide with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit.
Web Campaign Fights Brutal Regime in Burma

The Web site, “Change for Burma!” is created by two U.K.-based groups - Christian Solidarity Worldwide and Partners Relief and Development - that are calling the United Nations to increase pressure for change in Burma (also known as Myanmar).
5 Million Afghans at Risk for Severe Food Shortage, Says Agency

Five million people in Afghanistan are facing severe food shortages with winter drawing near and donors falling drastically behind in submitting funds, said an international relief agency.