On this day in AD 64 began a fire of almost apocalyptic proportions in the city of Rome. The inferno was tragic and decisive, not just for the ancient metropolis, but for the Christians who were blamed for it.
A pastor has been attacked by Fulani herdsmen in Nigeria – just the latest in a line of violent assaults suffered by Christians in the middle belt of the country.
Three Iranian Christians have been sentenced to at least ten years in jail, charged with blasphemy and 'acting against national security' for their church-related activity.
Declining levels of religious freedom is in part down globalisation with the arrival of different faiths and cultures leading to growing fear and restrictions on minority groups, academics say.
Facebook has said it is not working on a Christian crucifix emoji after a high-profile Facebook post called for one, in response to the social media giant's LGBT Pride emoji.
Today marks the death of the Roman emperor Julian, remembered in Christian tradition as 'Julian the Apostate' – a pagan famed for his hatred of Christianity. It's said his dying words were addressed to Christ: 'You have conquered!'
Pope Francis has warned Christians of the dangers of suffering and persecution in following Christ, a life which he said promises neither success nor tranquillity.
Sudanese churches have written a defiant open letter to the government, criticising a spate of church demolitions and accusing it of 'systematic violation of Christian religious freedoms'.
Egypt's Coptic Christians protesting following the latest jihadist attack on their community, and are questioning the lack of government action to protect them.