1) Life Sentences for 'Blasphemy' in Pakistan Overturned
A court acquitted a Christian couple of "blasphemy" charges Thursday, overturning their life sentences, their lawyer said.
2) Annular Solar Eclipse to Hit Northern California This Weekend
For the first time since 1994, Northern California residents will have a chance to witness a rare annular solar eclipse on Sunday.
3) 'Godless' Lady Gaga Not Welcomed by Christians in Philippines
Christians in the Philippines are speaking out against upcoming concerts by Lady Gaga, arguing that the singer has a negative influence on young Filipinos because her attitude promotes "godlessness."
4) Sudan Reportedly Shuts Down Christian Aid Groups' Offices Without Explanation
The offices of the Sudan Council of Churches (SCC) and the offices of relief organization Sudan Aid, both in the Darfur region, have reportedly been closed down by the Sudanese government without warning. Observers suspect Sudan's reported war on religious minorities, specifically Christians, may have been motivation for the closures.
5) King James Bible Sent to Every School in England in Honor of 400th Anniversary
In honor of the 400th anniversary of the publication of the King James Bible, every state primary and secondary school in England is set to receive a copy of the holy text distributed by the Department for Education.
6) 'Imagine No Religion' Canadian Atheist Convention Sells Out
A Canadian atheist conference with speakers from across the world was sold out of tickets some time before registration closed.
7) Controversial Church-Building Law a Focal Point for Egypt's Coptic Voters
Egypt's Coptic Christians fear they could face further persecution should an Islamist candidate win next week's presidential elections, and one of the major issues on their agenda is a controversial law that puts heavy restrictions on building and maintaining Christian houses of worship.
8) UN Makes Urgent Appeal for South Sudan Food Aid
The United Nations launched an urgent appeal on Tuesday calling for emergency assistance for the millions of Southern Sudanese who are facing staggering levels of food insecurity.
9) CP World Report: Muslim School, Argentina, Eritrea, London Olympics
The Toronto District School Board has suspended the license of a Muslim school that was using teaching materials which denigrated Jews and encouraged boys to keep fit for jihad. The Islamic Shia Study Centre operated the East End Madrassah in a Toronto high school, until an outcry last week that prompted an investigation by the York Region Police hate crimes unit.
10) Harsh Era Looms in Aceh, Indonesia
The election of a hard-line Islamic governor in Indonesia's Aceh Province last month appears to have opened the way for a crack-down on the minority Christian community, which saw 17 churches sealed shut in early May.
11) Nonprofit Ranks Niger as Worst Place for Mothers; Norway Remains Top Pick
Nonprofit organization Save the Children has released its 13th annual State of the World's Mother's report highlighting the best and worst countries in the world to be a mother, with Niger and Norway populating opposite ends of the list.
12) Four Iranian Men Sentenced to Death for 'Sodomy'
A court in an underdeveloped southwestern province of Iran has sentenced four men to death by hanging for committing "sodomy," according to a recent report by the Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA).