DAMASCUS, SYRIA (BosNewsLife)-- An Iraqi Franciscan priest abducted by Islamic militants in northwest Syria has been released, but Christian leaders cautioned that persecution of minority groups continues in the war-torn region. 
BAGHDAD, IRAQ (BosNewsLife)-- Thousands of Christians are fleeing Iraq amid an upsurge in violence and eligious extremism in Iraq, the country's most senior church leader says. 
TBILISI, GEORGIA (BosNewsLife)-- Georgia's parliament has approved a billionaire as the former Soviet nation's new prime minister and endorsed his government, following the recent October 1 parliamentary elections. Bidzina Ivanishvili began his first official full working day Friday, October 26, after lawmakers voted 88-54 for his cabinet. 
TEHRAN/MOSCOW/BUDAPEST (BosNewsLife)-- Iran has notified jailed Iranian Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who was sentenced to die for "apostasy", to prepare for fresh charges against him at a new trial in September, advocacy officials told BosNewsLife late Thursday, July 5. 
ASMARA, ERITREA (BosNewsLife)-- Eritrean security forces have detained nearly a dozen Christians, taking them to undisclosed locations, local Christians and rights activists said in comments monitored by BosNewsLife Thursday, November 4. 