World

• Churches destroyed by ISIS in Iraq to be rebuilt

  Two Iraq churches that were destroyed by the so-called Islamic State are to be rebuilt with the help of the Muslim-majority United Arab Emirates.

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  Chinese authorities bulldoze megachurch

  Authorities in China are reported to have demolished a 3,000-seater church in Anhui province and detained its pastors.

• Kurdish female politician executed by Turkish-backed militia in Syria

  A Kurdish female politician who had worked extensively to bring together Christians, Arabs and Kurds in Syria, has been executed by a Turkish-backed group.

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  Authorities shut down several churches in Algeria

  Authorities in Algeria on Wednesday closed the Tafath (Light) church building in Tizi-Ouzou, a day after sealing shut the country's largest church despite resistance, sources said.

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  What it's like on the ground during the Turkey-Syria offensive

  "People are afraid of terrorist attacks that these people might plan after being freed, especially against Christians."

• Call for prayer as Christians face more suffering in Syria

  The World Evangelical Alliance has called on the global church to pray for Christians in Syria following Turkey's military assault.

• After Turkish military offensive, Syrian church leaders fear 'Islamist agenda'

  Some of the Christians in the region are converts from Islam and the church leaders have warned that they are particularly vulnerable.

• Church 'deeply concerned' over Turkish Syria offensive

  The Church of Scotland has called for "swift action" to bring an end to violence in northern Syria after Turkey began its offensive on the region.

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  Calls for Cuban officials to be barred from the US over religious freedom violations

  The US government is being urged to bar Cuban officials from entering the country over reports that religious minorities are facing increasing persecution.

• Christian woman killed, four others kidnapped from church in Nigeria

  A pastor's wife is among those abducted.

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  Syrian Christians hear call to be peacemakers

  Hundreds of Christians in Syria came together recently to hear a word of encouragement as they seek to be faithful witnesses in a country that has suffered years of conflict.

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  When an exiled Iraqi family found IS slogans in their house, it made them weep

  "The first time I saw the house I had to cry. We all had to cry."

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  Christian parents giving children Islamic names to avoid 'abuse' in schools

  A bishop in Pakistan has said that Christian parents in the country are resorting to giving their children Islamic names to prevent them suffering "abuse" at school.

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  South American Church leaders call for 'zero deforestation' following Amazon fires

  Anglican bishops from across South America have united in a call to governments around the world to implement zero deforestation policies following the devastating fires that have raged in the Amazon.

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  Christians leaders send statement of solidarity to people of Hong Kong

  Eric Metaxas and Dr Foley Beach, the Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, are among the Christian leaders to have added their name to a statement of solidarity praising the "courageous stand" shown by the people of Hong Kong in defence of freedom and democracy.