News 7 Feb 2026

1. [Christianity/World] At Least 70 Tiv Christians Feared Killed in Taraba State, Nigeria: On February 7, 2026, coordinated attacks targeted the predominantly Christian Tiv ethnic group in multiple communities in Taraba State, resulting in at least 70 feared dead. This incident highlights the ongoing genocide-like violence against Christians in Nigeria and has led to urgent calls for international intervention and prayer.

• (Source): International Christian Concern (ICC) (2026.02.07)

 

2. [Christianity/Stats] 2026 Persecution Data: Increased Vulnerability of Christian Women and Children:Detailed metrics from the 2026 WWL reveal that out of 388 million persecuted Christians, 201 million are women and 110 million are children under 15. Reports of sexual violence and forced marriages involving Christian women surged by nearly 30% this year, exposing the severity of 'squeeze persecution' targeting the most vulnerable.

• (Source): ZENIT / Open Doors (2026.01.18)

 

3. [Economy/Social] Mastercard Welcomes 2026 YES Cohort to Tackle Youth Unemployment: On February 5, 2026, Mastercard launched its 2026 Youth Employment Service (YES) initiative to address South Africa's critical youth unemployment rate of 58.5%. The program provides structured workplace training and experience, representing a private-sector effort to foster inclusive growth alongside government wage policies.

• (Source): IT News Africa (2026.02.05)