Displaying items by tag: Asia

At least twelve people were killed and thirty wounded in a deadly militant attack on a military base in Bannu, northwestern Pakistan. Two suicide bombers detonated explosive-laden vehicles near the base’s wall, allowing several attackers to attempt entry before being eliminated. The attack occurred after sunset, when many would have been breaking their Ramadan fast. A Taliban-linked group, Jaish Al-Fursan, claimed responsibility. The explosions damaged homes, causing roofs and walls to collapse, killing civilians, including four children. A nearby mosque was also severely impacted, with the imam among the dead. Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the assault, and the province's chief minister has ordered an investigation. This was the third militant attack in Pakistan since Ramadan began, continuing a pattern of escalating violence in the region. Security forces remain on high alert following the assault.

Japan is battling its worst wildfire in fifty years, with over four thousand residents evacuated and one confirmed dead. The blaze, which started near the northern town of Ofunato, has consumed around 2,600 hectares. It follows Japan’s hottest recorded summer, exacerbated by climate change and low rainfall. Firefighters and military helicopters are struggling to contain the flames, with no sign of control. Nearly two thousand firefighters, many from Tokyo, are on the scene. The Iwate region, previously devastated by the 2011 tsunami, now faces further hardship. Authorities continue to assess the damage, which includes at least eighty buildings. While wildfires in Japan have declined since the 1970s, the country still saw 1,300 in 2023, mostly during the months of February to April when the air dries and winds pick up.

Severe flooding in Jakarta and surrounding areas has displaced thousands and caused significant property damage. Torrential rains since 3 March have raised water levels by up to three metres, submerging over a thousand homes and vehicles. The capital’s governor has declared a heightened alert, ordering water pumps and cloud seeding operations to reduce rainfall. Bekasi has been hit hardest, with floodwaters inundating a hospital, forcing patient evacuations and causing power cuts. Rescue teams are using boats to assist trapped residents. This is Jakarta’s worst flooding since 2020, when record rains claimed sixty lives. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating relief efforts, including evacuations, food distribution, and emergency services. The weather agency has warned that heavy rains may persist until 11 March, potentially worsening conditions. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to guidance from local authorities.

Christians in India are requesting urgent prayers after the spread of viral videos inciting mob violence against them on 1 March. During a massive Hindu pilgrimage, Aadesh Soni accused Christians in Chhattisgarh state of killing cows and called for vigilante action. Another religious leader urged followers: ‘Do not ask for the death penalty for cow slayers. Kill them and ask for the death penalty for yourselves. Do not wait for the law to act.’ Social media platforms and WhatsApp groups are mobilising thousands to take part in the attacks. Though Soni later claimed he is not against Christians, believers remain fearful. Police are patrolling targeted villages, and Christians are calling on local authorities to prevent the violence. Chhattisgarh has long been a hotspot for Christian persecution, with over 130 attacks recorded in 2023 alone.

Samuel Brownback, co-chair of the International Religious Freedom Summit, shared the testimony of a man in Nepal who encountered Jesus after a tragic accident. The man, a Hindu at the time, survived a devastating car crash that claimed his friend’s life. As he sought help, he said Jesus appeared to him, saying, 'I saved you, now you follow me’. This moment changed his life, leading him to become a devoted follower of Christ, boldly sharing his testimony in Nepal. Brownback highlighted similar life-changing encounters around the world and also recounted the painful reality of persecution, including a Ukrainian evangelical pastor who was murdered in front of his two sons. He believes that God is moving powerfully in troubled times.

On 26 February, the bodies of four Israeli hostages were handed over by Hamas, without ceremony, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. This marks the final exchange under the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, leaving 59 hostages still in captivity with no clear timeline for their release. The truce’s future remains uncertain, as Hamas signals readiness for talks on the second phase, aiming for an end to the war and further prisoner exchanges. Benjamin Netanyahu faces political pressure to resume military operations. Meanwhile, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens, with severe shortages of food, medicine, and shelter. As negotiations stall, families of hostages demand immediate action, urging leaders to secure their return. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has released a bizarre video of his vision for the golden future of the Gaza strip: see

Struggling with debt and rising costs after the 2021 coup in Myanmar, farm worker Zeya decided to sell his kidney, believing it was his only way out of poverty. He found a broker who arranged his travel to India, where illegal organ sales thrive through forged documents. The broker falsified records to present Zeya as a relative of the recipient, bypassing India’s legal requirements. After a brief interview, the surgery was approved, and Zeya received about $2,700. He recovered without major complications but now fears the legal consequences of his actions. Myanmar’s economic collapse has driven many into desperation, fueling a black market in organ sales. Brokers exploit the vulnerable, deceiving them into risky, illegal surgeries. The global demand for transplants far exceeds supply, pushing the impoverished into dangerous choices. In 2007, the WHO estimated that 5-10% of transplanted organs came from the black market, but the figure may be higher.

Joo Min (not her real name) once risked her life leaving North Korea to escape starvation and oppression. But then she encountered Christ in a secret safe house run by Open Doors. Raised to believe Christians were dangerous, she was initially resistant, but the love and kindness of believers transformed her. She accepted Jesus, was baptised, and underwent biblical and persecution survival training. Feeling a divine calling, she bravely reentered North Korea to spread the Gospel, knowing the immense risks. Now a leader in the underground church, she continues to share the light of Christ despite the threat of imprisonment or death. She asks for prayers for protection and courage as she serves in a land overshadowed by darkness. For other stories about Christians facing danger for their faith, order or download the Open Doors World Watch List here.

Japan’s government has approved new targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for a 60% cut from 2013 levels by 2035 and a 73% reduction by 2040. The revised policy seeks to increase renewables to 50% of the electricity mix by 2040 while expanding nuclear power to 20%. Although 80% of 3,000 public comments supported a more ambitious target, the government finalised its targets without increases. Japanese utilities have struggled to restart nuclear reactors after the 2011 Fukushima disaster, prompting a shift towards next-generation reactors. The government also wishes to align decarbonisation with economic growth, promoting clean energy hubs. However, challenges include rising costs in the offshore wind market and global uncertainties, particularly due to shifts in US climate policies.

Hamas has returned the bodies of four Israeli hostages under the Gaza ceasefire deal: Shiri Bibas and her two children, Ariel (4) and Kfir (9 months), along with peace activist Oded Lifshitz (83). The IDF transported the bodies to Israel for identification, while mourning swept across the nation. President Isaac Herzog expressed deep sorrow and asked for forgiveness for failing to bring all hostages home alive. Negotiations on a second ceasefire phase are set to resume this week, aiming for the release of all remaining hostages. However, Israel insists it will not withdraw forces until Hamas is eliminated, while Hamas demands an end to the war before releasing further captives. Meanwhile, Hamas used the hostage handover for propaganda, displaying missiles alongside the coffins and blaming Benjamin Netanyahu for their deaths. The Hamas group stated they would have preferred them to return alive, but accused Israel of choosing war over negotiations.