Worldwide
Pakistan: blasphemy laws to remain unchanged
17 Feb 2017
Pakistan’s religious affairs minister has announced that there will be no change to the country’s ‘blasphemy’ laws. Previous attempts to amend the harsh legislation have been blocked, and those proposing changes have faced threats and intimidation.…
Gambia no longer to be called Islamic
17 Feb 2017
Gambia’s new president, Adama Barrow, has announced that the country will no longer officially be called an Islamic republic, reversing the decision made by his predecessor in 2015. There had been encouraging signs that Barrow, a…
Zimbabwe: ‘flag’ pastor Evan Mawarire detained
17 Feb 2017
A Zimbabwean pastor who criticised his government has been detained after flying back to the country. Evan Mawarire, who left the country last year in fear for his life, was arrested at Harare International Airport. He…
New Zealand: huge wildfire
17 Feb 2017
Hundreds of homes have been evacuated in Christchurch as a huge wildfire raged on its outskirts. One pilot has died in a helicopter crash, and least eleven homes have burned down. A state of emergency has…
Mexico: please keep praying
10 Feb 2017
Mexico is regularly mentioned in the news these days, but the stories rarely say much about the Mexican people. The daily realities for many in Mexico are dire. 60% of the people live in poverty. Police…
Sri Lanka: Buddhist mob destroys rural church
10 Feb 2017
On 5 January a church in Karuwalagaswewa was attacked and burned by a mob. Threats had previously been made to the church’s pastor, who informed the police. When the police inspector met with the pastor and…