192 athletes in Milano-Cortina come from one of the 50 countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, according to Open Doors.

Although all the hostages were released, new attacks in Kwara, Katsina and Benue show that the escalation of violence in the world's deadliest country for Christians continues.

Fulani herdsmen raid the churches during Sunday school and the worship services, but the Kaduna state government denied the abductions. Eleven of the victims later escaped.

Nigeria, Sudan and Mali witness an increase in persecution by armed Islamist groups. Syria, China and Algeria are other places on the planet where Christians suffer restrictions and difficulties in living their faith. The Open Doors World Watch List (WWL 2026) monitors the situation of persecuted Christians around the world.

News about what is happening to Christians in Nigeria has gone viral. What is the truth? What can you do about it?

Wissam al-Saliby, president of 21Wilberforce, analyses the situation of Nigeria after meeting with Nigerian Christian ministry leaders and public servants.

Christian leaders in Nigeria believe herdsmen attacks are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians’ lands and impose Islam.

“We were framed under a completely fabricated case”, said a pastor who was arrested along with his wife and a Christian family of three.

She was abducted two months prior by a Muslim neighbor who forcibly converted her to Islam and coerced her into marrying him.

North Korea heads the new Open Doors ranking. North African countries such as Morocco and Algeria appear on the list. “If we lose religious freedom, then all other freedoms fall”.

In just one week, Fulani herdsmen killed 48 Christians, including women and children, many were on their way to church services.

The victims are farmers and were working when 20 heavily armed assailants attacked. One of the Christians was shot and his hands was shattered.

The US International Commission on Religious Freedom warns in its annual report that several governments have engaged in the repression of religious minorities.

Open Doors publishes a new edition of the World Watch List identifying as many as 78 countries with high levels of hostility against Christianity in the world. North Korea and Nigeria stand out among those with “extreme persecution”.

“This is the third attack on our community. Please pray for us”, say evangelicals in the area.

The government also agreed to establish a “Counter Blasphemy Wing”  to take action against dissemination of “blasphemous content” on the internet.

The Anglican cathedral and an Episcopal church in Khartoum were also raided by gunman, while an evangelical church was partially burned.

“All the furniture the electrical switchboard and a Bible were burned, and the name ‘Ram’ written on one of the inside walls of the church”, explains the pastor.

Congolese Christians are sceptical about the humanist statements made by Pope Francis during his official visit to a country facing a serious conflict.

A Christian was arrested for  allegedly posting and sharing blasphemous images on social media. He may face death penalty.

There is “extreme persecution” in 10 countries in Africa and the Middle East, says Open Doors. Elsewhere, worrying trends are observed in key geopolitical actors such as India, Saudi Arabia and China.

A 100-member Sudanese Church in Al Qadarif state was set ablaze by a suspected member of the Sudanese Armed Forces.

Human rights activists said prosecutors mistakenly used a repealed article of the criminal code. Police also confiscated their Bibles and church material.

The landlord, rival shop owner, falsely accused him of disrespecting Muhammad by allegedly saying that Christ was the only “true prophet”.

A bomb and gun attack left more than 70 victims during a mass in the southwest of the country.