Asia	
	    
    
		China: arrests, journalist detained, pastor’s mother beaten
			  	Journalist and church deacon of Early Rain Covenant Church, Zhang Guoqing, was missing for several days before it was discovered he was being held in police custody for ‘provoking trouble’. He had published…			  
			  
			  
		  Brunei: full sharia law from 3 April
			  	Stoning to death and amputation as punishments - including for children - are provided for in newly-implemented sections of the Brunei Darussalam sharia penal code that came into force on 3 April, according…			  
			  
			  
		  Iran: disastrous floods, rising death toll
			  	Over sixty people have died following floods across Iran. 78 intercity roads are blocked, 2,199 rural roads and 84 bridges have been washed away. 141 rivers burst their banks, and 400 landslides were…			  
			  
			  
		  USA offers Iran help (?)
			  	US secretary of state Mike Pompeo extended condolences to the victims of the floods in Iran, and said his country was prepared to help. But in a sign that the offer may have…			  
			  
			  
		  Church growth in Iran
			  	The Iranian Church is growing with increased momentum, with daily encouraging reports. Despite persecution, Christians are courageously preaching Christ. Hundreds who have received training through mission agencies are teaching the Gospel. Over one…			  
			  
			  
		  Israel: elections
			  	Israelis will vote in national elections on 9 April. The campaign has been divisive, confusing and ugly, yet our prayers can declare the fundamental truth that our God reigns. The Friday prayer points…			  
			  
			  
		  Syria: Christians face uncertain future
			  	Many Christians have fled Syria’s violence. Before 2011 Christians made up 8-10% of a 22 million population. By 2017 80% of them had left. Pastor Abdallah chose to stay and care for his…			  
			  
			  
		  India: religious freedom is failing
			  	The Indian constitution provides for ‘the right to freely profess, practise and propagate religion subject to public order, morality and health’, but the latter provisions substantially weaken religious freedom in practice. Many states…			  
			  
			  
		  Global: terrorism - 1
			  	Following New Zealand’s terror attack, there have been six recorded incidents in just seven days. In Israel two rockets launched from Gaza terrorised residents around Tel Aviv; explosions and sirens were heard throughout…			  
			  
			  
		  Global: terrorism - 2
			  	A few militants defending a Syrian river bank are all that is left of IS’s ‘caliphate’. 40,000 foreigners from 110 countries joined it; many have gone home, creating security challenges. Thousands are in…			  
			  
			  
		  
 
				     
				     
				     
				     
				     
				     
				     
				     
				     
				    