“It is the right thing to do”, the US President said. He also announced the move of the the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

President Erdogan suggests he would be open to a prisoner exchange with the US. The pastor's wife shares a song he has written in prison: “My tears and pain I lift up as an offering”.

Pastor Andrew Brunson was serving in a church in Izmir when he was detained almost one year ago. Turkish Protestants said the accusations are “absurd”.

According to the US State Department annual report, "almost 80% of the global population live with restrictions to limit their freedom of religion.”

People in France, Spain, Germany, Italy and Sweden are more interested in “spirituality” than in “religion”. A global survey shows that China and Indonesia have a great interest in religion.

The opposition calls to invalidate the result of the constitutional referendum and the OSCE says it was not a “genuinely democratic process.” Christians in the country have been increasingly targeted under the pro-Muslim President.

The Turkish President continues inflammatory rhetoric against EU leaders. April referendum could expand his powers.

A selection of pictures of World Press Photo 2017.

Plans for a new constitution would make it easier for the head of state to order a state of emergency. The post of Prime Minister could be abolished. 

Dozens have died in Poland, Italy, Greece, Turkey and Russia. The European Commission warns about the situation of many refugees.

Nationals of Germany, Belgium and France among victims of New Year’s Day attack. In Turkey, 300 people were killed in terrorist attacks in 2016.

Globally, some 65 million people have been displaced this year, roughly equivalent to Britain’s whole population.

Rev. Andrew Brunson has been serving in Turkey for 23 years. After being detained for 64 days, he now faces “terrorism” charges and alleged links with the Fetullah Gulen movement.

MEPs criticise the alarming lack of freedoms after the failed coup attempt in July. Christians in the country denounce growing pressure on churches.

Now the government can independently deport anyone it deems a threat to “public security” without a judicial order or review. The directive was issued over the weekend.

After a nine-year legal saga, a Turkish criminal court today sentenced five men to life in prison for the torture and murder of three Christians in southeast Turkey in 2007.

The number of child refugees doubles in 10 years. 7 in 10 children seeking refuge in Europe come from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. 

Small congregations in Turkey step up to help Syrian and Iraqi refugees.

The Hadith reports can take Muslims in many directions: to compassion for widows and orphans, to patriarchal attitudes towards women, to disdain for religious minorities, and to military jihad for the cause of Islam.

An increasing atmosphere of Islamic triumphalism in the wake of the coup could potentially put pressure on Christians or increase the threat level for them in Turkey, but for now that threat isn't present.

More than 230 are wounded. Turkish officials have confirmed 13 foreign nationals were killed in the attack. All signs point to Daesh .

The IOM informs that 206,400 migrants and refugees entered Europe by sea the first 5 months of 2016. Only from May 25 to June 3, 1,457 are dead or missing.

At least 11 people have been killed, and 36 others are wounded, in a suspected car bomb attack in Istanbul, according to the city governor.

David Byle could be detained with no charges for 30 days. The Interior Minstry defines him as a “threat to public order.”

EEA encourages European evangelical community to pray for Turkish Christians reaching out to hungry refugees.