ASSIST News Service

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  Billy Graham writes letter to Iran's president asking for imprisoned American pastors release

  Veteran evangelist Billy Graham has weighed in on the plight of imprisoned American Pastor Saeed Abedini.

• Nigeria attack: Students shot dead as they slept

  Suspected Islamist gunmen have attacked a college in north-eastern Nigeria, killing up to 50 students.

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  President Obama calls for release of pastor imprisoned in Iran

  Fox News is reporting that a senior Obama Administration official has confirmed that President Obama has called for the release of American Pastor Saeed Abedini in a phone conversation today with Iranian President Rouhani.

• Cuban church leaders publish joint declaration on religious freedom

  Cuban religious leaders finished a visit to Washington DC last week by publishing a paper titled, "Thirty Questions for the Cuban Government."

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  Saeed Abedini's wife petitions Iranian president for his release

  September 26 marks the one-year anniversary of American Pastor Saeed Abedini's imprisonment in Iran because of his Christian faith.

• At least 160 dead in Nigeria this week in terrorist related violence

  At least 160 people have died in terrorist related violence this week in Nigeria's Yobe and Borno States.

• Prayer vigils planned for first anniversary of Saeed Abedini's imprisonment

  Seven-year-old Rebekka Abedini misses her daddy.

• Fifty Christians face eviction in Laos

  Recant your faith or get out - that's the ultimatum issued recently to 50 Christians living in a rural community in central Laos.

• Saeed Abedini appeals to Iranian president

  American Pastor Saeed Abedini, serving an eight-year prison sentence in Iran because of his Christian faith, is directly appealing to Iran's newly elected President Hassan Rouhani for justice and freedom.

• Two Christians murdered in Egypt for refusing to pay Muslim poll tax

  Two Coptic Christian government employees have been shot dead for refusing to pay Jizya, the Muslim poll tax on Christians.

• Christian mother killed, boy kidnapped in Somalia

  Al Qaeda-linked rebels continue campaign to rid country of Christianity

• Armed Muslims in Nigeria kill Christians in their homes

  Gabriel Anthony, 25, was praying at 5am on September 1 in this northern Nigerian village when he heard gunshots.