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Human rights activists said prosecutors mistakenly used a repealed article of the criminal code.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.

Human rights organisations denounce that dozens of Christian places of worship have been destroyed in the last year.

Assailants left a note on his body stating that they were Maoists who had killed the pastor for being a “police informer”.

The Winter Olympics begin this week amid complaints about the Chinese regime's “massive abuses” of minorities and the strict surveillance of its citizens.

In Qatar, host of the football World Cup, converts from Islam face physical, psychological and (for women) sexual violence. Globally, over 5,000 attacks on Christian churches have been recorded.

Afghanistan is new at the top of the Open Doors WWL 2022. Discover the full list.

The Islamic country replaces North Korea at the top of the World Watch List after 20 years. One in seven Christians worldwide suffers persecution, says Open Doors.

It was the second attack on Christians in the area in one week. Fulani herdsmen killed six Christians from one family and other four were killed in four homes.

At least eight more Christians slain in October. “Christians are being killed, and the government exhibits carelessness”, said evangelical leaders in Kaduna.

The Chinese government claims that the apps violate laws prohibiting the use of religious texts or materials.

With the events of the last few days, we can only expect the pressure to increase, making the living conditions of Christians even more difficult, if possible. By Ted Blake.