World

More than 300 children abducted by Boko Haram last year are still being held
It is unclear whether the Nigerian government has made any serious efforts to liberate 400 women and children abducted by Boko Haram from a school in Borno State a year ago, according to Human Rights Watch.

Religious community in Indonesia facing violent persecution, HRW warns
The Gafatar religious community is facing systematic persecution in Indonesia in the name of "religious harmony", Human Rights Watch said today.

After Lahore: What's driving the persecution of Christians in Pakistan?
Pakistan is under a spiritual oppression that can legitimately be described as demonic, writes Mark Woods. There are very few signs of hope.

EgyptAir Cyprus drama is over as hijacker surrenders and hostages are freed
The EgyptAir hostage drama has ended with the surrender of the hijacker.

Hope for Palmyra after ISIS occupation: Large parts of ancient city survived
As the first pictures of the ancient city of Palmyra appear afters its liberation from ISIS occupation, more of the ancient citadel seems to have survived than previously thought.

Church denies rumours that ISIS has crucified kidnapped priest
The Indian priest kidnapped by suspected Islamic State militants on March 4 is likely still alive, Church officials have said, despite reports that he was crucified on Friday.

Egyptian passenger plane hijacked, forced to land in Cyprus
An Egyptair domestic flight from Alexandria to Cairo was hijacked on Tuesday and landed in Cyprus, Egyptian officials said.

'I asked God to kill me': Yazidi girl recalls horrific ordeal as an ISIS captive for more than a year
A young Yazidi woman revealed that she repeatedly begged God to kill her to end her suffering at the hands of the loathsome Islamic State (ISIS) militants who raped, tortured and enslaved her for 16 months.

Only in the Philippines: Good Friday crucifixions see Filipinos mixing Christianity with crass commercialism
Nowhere is the Passion of Christ most dramatically relived annually than in the Philippinesâa Catholic country that combines Christianity and commercialism like no other country does.

Former Muslim turned Christian scholar: Christians must be equipped to provide young Muslims with alternatives to violent jihad
"Muslims must depart from the literal reading of the Koran in order to create a jihad-free Islamic world," says one Muslim turned Christian scholar.

Paul McGuinness on effective mission: do with rather than do for
With the amount of challenges plaguing the world, it comes naturally for Christians to want to share their ministry and engage in mission work to make a difference. There are those who have spent their whole lives serving while there are those who are embarking on their first foray into the life of a missionary.

Malaysian man finally allowed to embrace Christianity after 33 year court battle
It took 33 years but a Malaysian man was finally granted permission by the country's High Court to renounce Islam and embrace Christianity.

'We're holding on by our fingernails': Syriac priest on the exodus of Christians in the Middle East
Father Dale Johnson sees his work with refugees as a vital part of the Church's mandate to help the persecuted and vulnerable.
Watch the amazing moment six Christian converts get baptised in the Amazon
Young Christians from a river community in the Amazon have been baptised and are now training to be pastors thanks to UK charity BMS World Mission.

Senior bishop warns against fixed date for Easter
In a Maundy Thursday sermon, Bishop of Salisbury Nicholas Holtam said that Easter was linked to the Jewish Passover festival. Fixing one date for Easter would separate Christians from their Jewish roots, he warned.

Schools have 'moral obligation' to protect students from extremism, says union head.
However, the UK's biggest teachers' union has 'concerns' about the current strategy, Prevent, used by the Government.