'Game of Thrones' season 5 premiere date delayed due to problems

Recent reports say that the "Game of Thrones" season 5 premiere may be delayed due to some problems encountered during production, although the issues experienced in the set by the crew remains unspecified. Further, the producers reportedly do not want to rush the production and make the quality suffer in order to meet the timeline. 

And while new actors are expected to join the cast, casting is said to have been put on hold.  

The production team has not revealed any of the roles to be added next season, but one of the new characters to come to the series is actor Alexander Siddig who will play the role of Doran Martell, Oberyn Martell's older brother and the ruler of Dorne. Oberyn was killed last season after siding with Tyrion Lannister in his trial and went into battle with The Mountain. Doran may be seeking revenge for the death of his brother. 

Latest rumors also hint that the fifth season will steer away from the books on which the story is based. For example, Myranda, pretending to be Arya Stark, will get married to Ramsay in order to appease the Northern Lords who are loyal to the Starks and gain their allegiance. In the books, the role of fake Arya is played by Sansa's friend from Winterfell, Jeyne Poole. However, Jeyne's character does not exist in the show. 

Also, there are said to be a number of scenes from the books that won't be included in the TV series, such as Tyrion Lannister's journey after he escaped. The small screen adaptation of "Game of Thrones" is known for not strictly following the books. 

The fifth season of "Game of Thrones" was previously expected to air in June 2015, although the delay in the production might also cause a delay in the show's return to the small screen.

News
Violence and persecution driving global Christian exodus, report warns
Violence and persecution driving global Christian exodus, report warns

Aid to the Church in Need, which produced the report, called the oppression of Christians "a human rights catastrophe the world refuses to acknowledge".

More than 60 killed in attacks on Ethiopian Christians, Orthodox Church says
More than 60 killed in attacks on Ethiopian Christians, Orthodox Church says

Children were reportedly among the dead as families fled violence in Oromia.

Church mentioned in St Jerome's letters may have been discovered
Church mentioned in St Jerome's letters may have been discovered

Archaeologists in northern Italy have identified the likely site of an early Christian church that St. Jerome described in a letter in A.D. 396, along with a nearby building believed to have been the bishop’s palace in the ancient city of Altino.

Jordan carries out retaliatory strikes in Syria after deadly church attack
Jordan carries out retaliatory strikes in Syria after deadly church attack

Patriarch Theophilos III has visited survivors of the attack in hospital.