Christian Today staff writer

• Evangelical Fellowship of India says persecution of Christians is on the rise

  Indian Christians saw the worst persecution in 2017 for 10 years, according to a report from the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI).

• Russian artist under fire for controversial burning of 'Catholic' cathedral

  A group of Russian artists have come under fire for the public burning of an effigy of a Gothic – and so appearing to be Catholic – church. The destructive artistry was exhibited at an Orthodox Christian festival.

• Pope Francis makes historic retreat by accepting Nigerian Bishop's resignation

  Pope Francis made a historic climb-down on Monday as he accepted the resignation of a Nigerian bishop who had long been rejected by his diocesan priests but had been vocally backed by the pontiff.

• Online petition opposing China-Vatican deal was hit by cyber-attack

  An online petition opposing an agreement between the Chinese government and the Vatican was subject to a cyber attack on February 14, it has emerged.

• Sudanese state demolishes evangelical church after Sunday service

  A Christian church in Sudan was demolished without warning by state authorities on Sunday.

• Iraqi Archbishop: Christians should be 'honest' with Muslims and say they have been persecuted for 1,400 years

  Christians should be 'honest' with Muslim dialogue partners and explain that they have been persecuted in the Middle East for more than a thousand years, an Iraqi archbishop has said.

• Churches back new 'Happy Easter Egg' that puts Jesus back into the story

  Various church leaders in Ireland have given their backing to a Christian bookshop owner's creation of a new Easter egg that comes with a booklet that tells the story of Jesus.

• World Vision denies report its staff sexually exploited Haiti earthquake survivors

  The Christian charity World Vision has denied allegations that its staff coerced survivors of Haiti's catastrophic 2010 earthquake into having sex.

• 'Black Panther' set was 'almost like a church' as cast and crew testified to God's miracles

  An actress who stars in the new blockbuster Marvel hit Black Panther has said that during the making of the movie the cast and crew were testifying to God's miracles and the set of the film had an atmosphere that felt 'almost like a church'.

• Evangelical still ahead despite shrinking lead in Costa Rica election

  Evangelical Christian Fabricio Alvarado Muñoz maintained his lead in Costa Rica's second-round presidential race even as his centre-left rival narrowed the gap, according to a poll published on Friday.

• Scottish Muslim politician is giving up Irn-Bru for Lent

  A Muslim Scottish government minister is observing Lent this year in solidarity with persecuted Christians – and he's giving up Irn-Bru.

• Creationist Ken Ham re-invited to speak at University of Central Oklahoma

  The University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) has decided to re-invite Christian creationist Ken Ham to present his views at the institution, after he was dis-invited last week.