Americas

By BosNewsLife Americas Service HAVANA, CUBA (BosNewsLife)-- Cuban authorities have halted the demolition of an Assemblies of God church in the city of Santiago de Cuba after protesters, including the denomination’s regional head, held a spontaneous sit-in at the church, activists say. Christians said the demonstrators also participated in an unauthorised march through the city and a "peaceful demonstration" at the local Cuban Communist Party (CCP) offices to rally against "ongoing government confiscations" and destruction of church properties.

By Martin Roth, BosNewsLife Senior Columnist HAVANA, CUBA (BosNewsLife Columns)-- Pope Francis arrives in Cuba this week for a short visit. Might it lead to an end to the persecution of Christians that is a feature of this Communist nation? Unfortunately, the signs are not hopeful.

By BosNewsLife Americas Service WASHINGTON/CHARLESTON (BosNewsLife)-- U.S. President Barack Obama said Thursday, June 18, that the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal in Charleston, South Carolina, would "rise again" after nine people were killed there by a white gunman, but he also suggested it was time for a fresh debate on gun control in his nation.

By BosNewsLife Americas Service CHARLESTON, USA (BosNewsLife)--U.S. police say they have detained shooting suspect Dylann Roof who allegedly killed nine people during a prayer service at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal in Charleston, South Carolina, one of the oldest black churches in the nation. Roof, 21, was taken into custody in North Carolina, BosNewsLife monitored.

By BosNewsLife Americas Service with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos and local reporters CHARLESTON, USA (BosNewsLife)-- American security forces searched Thursday, June 18, for a white man who opened fire during a prayer meeting inside a historic evangelical black church in downtown Charleston, South Carolina, killing nine people, including the pastor. The overnight shooting at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal church was described as a hate crime by authorities.

By BosNewsLife News Center TRIPOLI/ROME/WASHINGTON (BosNewsLife)-- Italian police say they have detained 15 Muslims who allegedly threw 12 Christians from an overcrowded migrant boat after they expressed faith in Jesus Christ. Vatican Radio, citing survivors, reported that the Christians had been praying for their lives during during a recent crossing from Libya.

By BosNewsLife Asia Service with reporting by BosNewsLife's Stefan J. Bos BEIJING, CHINA (BosNewsLife)-- A frail elderly Korean-American aid worker is awaiting trial in China on what supporters believe are trumped up charges linked to his Christian activities on the border with North Korea.

By Martin Roth, BosNewsLife Senior Columnist LOS ANGELES, USA (BosNewsLife Columns)-- As a child growing up in Syria, Sargon Saadi  loved making home movies with his brother and cousins. It led eventually to his decision to travel to the U.S. to study filmmaking at Columbia College Chicago - famous for its arts and media programs - and then to move to the heart of the movie world, Los Angeles, where he has worked as a cinematographer on many films. But something happened while he was living in America...

By BosNewsLife Americas Service HAVANA, CUBA (BosNewsLife)-- The son of a devoted Christian pastor in Cuba has been jailed on false charges as part of a government effort to pressure his family to halt church activities, but locals call them a "powerful blessing" to the community, Christians say.

By BosNewsLife Americas Service BOGOTA, COLOMBIA (BosNewsLife)-- A Colombian judge has ordered the release of an American missionary who was jailed over his alleged links to the leftist (FARC) rebels