ASSIST News Service

• Campaign launched to free Pakistan mother on death row 'for drinking water'

  A UK-based human rights organisation is calling for the release of a mother of five currently on death row in Pakistan for allegedly blaspheming during an argument over drinking water.

• Afghan Member of Parliament: "Execute Afghan Christian converts."

  Quds Online news website, affiliated with Astan Quds Razavi Foundation, reported that an Afghan news service, Ava, is saying the number of Christians is increasing in Afghanistan.

• Central African Republic's turmoil affects Bible translation

  Bible translation has been affected by the political chaos that has gripped the Central African Republic (CAR) since a rebel coalition captured power about six months ago.

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  North Korea: Imprisoned Kenneth Bae's son places last hope in Dennis Rodman

  The son of an American missionary imprisoned in North Korea is hoping that Dennis Rodman can perform a "miracle" and help bring his father home.

• Five Christians killed in roadside ambush near Jos

  Pastor says Nigeria armed ethnic Fulani herdsmen joined forces with Islamic extremist mercenaries

• North India church destroyed by 1,000-strong mob

  Shouting religious slogans, a mob estimated at 1,000 people has destroyed a Christian church under construction in northern India, according to a report received from church leaders in the region. The attack occurred on Sunday, Aug. 25.

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  North Korea cancels US envoy's visit to seek Kenneth Bae's release

  North Korea has revoked an invitation for a US envoy to travel to Pyongyang to seek the release of an American man, the US state department says.

• American Anglicans increasing aid to Syrian refugees as airstrikes near

  While President Barack Obama weighs punitive airstrikes and increased military action against Syria, American Anglicans are increasing their humanitarian aid to the huge flow of Syrian refugees that have already fled to nearby countries.

• Muslim mob injures church leaders, choir members in Nigeria

  A Muslim mob with knives and iron rods injured several members of an Anglican church in Nasarawa state on August 17 over a dispute about less than one cent in change, area Christians said.

• Iran upholds American Pastor Saeed Abedini's 8-year prison sentence

  The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ), which defends human rights and religious freedom, said an appeals court in Tehran has rejected the appeal of American Pastor Saeed Abedini, a US citizen, and refused to reduce his eight year prison sentence.

• Islamic extremists in Somalia abduct Christian mother of two young children

  Islamic extremists suspected to be rebel al-Shabab militants have kidnapped a Christian mother of two young children in Somalia and threatened her husband because of their faith, her husband said.

• Iran: Farshid Fathi tells of mental torture in prison

  Farshid Fathi, a Christian convert activist who is currently serving his six year term in the infamous Evin Prison in Tehran, explained in a letter how he has been subjected to severe mental torture.