Displaying items by tag: Asia

The official Iranian death toll from the recent twelve-day war with Israel has been raised to 935, including 38 children and 132 women, based on new forensic data. Iranian officials accused Israel of war crimes and vowed to present evidence to international bodies. The government also criticised Donald Trump’s rhetoric about potential further strikes and sanctions, dismissing his remarks as psychological manipulation rather than genuine diplomacy. Meanwhile, tensions have risen over the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Officials have condemned its ‘double standards’, and have said that its boss Rafael Grossi is not welcome in Iran. They have also refused to guarantee the safety of nuclear inspectors. Western nations have condemned the threats against Grossi and urged Iran to maintain cooperation with the IAEA.

Donald Trump has announced that Israel has agreed to the ‘necessary conditions’ for a sixty-day ceasefire in Gaza, pending Hamas’s approval. While the details remain vague, Trump said that the USA, along with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, will work toward ending the war. Hamas stated it is open to a deal if it guarantees an end to hostilities, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and humanitarian relief. Israel’s key demand remains the release of most, if not all hostages held in Gaza. Hamas representatives in Cairo are reportedly negotiating, though insiders describe the talks as stagnant. Disagreements persist over the absence of a guarantee for permanent peace and continued military presence in Gaza. Meanwhile, the conflict continues: Israel has ordered evacuations in northern Gaza ahead of increased military action, and at least twenty Palestinians were killed in an Israeli air strike on a seafront café on 30 June. A previous attempt at a ceasefire failed in March. Trump's upcoming meeting with Netanyahu may prove decisive.

The Dalai Lama has confirmed that the centuries-old institution of his spiritual role will continue after his death, affirming that a successor will be appointed by the Gaden Phodrang Trust, his official office. In a video message from Dharamshala, India (where he lives in exile), the Tibetan spiritual leader said that no outside authority has any right to interfere in the process of choosing his reincarnation. His statement directly challenges China's claim that any future Dalai Lama must be approved by Beijing. The announcement, delivered during his 90th birthday celebrations according to the Tibetan lunar calendar, was met with joy by followers and monks gathered from around the world. The decision ends years of speculation, including previous suggestions that the Dalai Lama might not be reincarnated or that a girl might take up the role. China, which annexed Tibet in 1950, swiftly rejected the announcement, reiterating its stance that succession must follow state-approved regulations.

The League of Social Democrats, Hong Kong’s last active pro-democracy street protest group, has announced its disbandment due to mounting political pressure. Formed in 2006, the party was known for bold, confrontational tactics and a strong stance on civil liberties and social justice. Despite dwindling influence and the loss of all legislative seats, it had continued public advocacy, even after arrests and convictions of key members. Its chairperson, Chan Po-ying, cited safety concerns for members as a key factor in the decision. The move follows years of intense suppression of dissent under Beijing’s national security law, which has led to the closure of civil society groups, independent media, and protests once common. Chan declared the ‘one country, two systems’ principle dead and expressed sorrow, yet resolve: ‘Be like a flying spark... keeping that light alive.’ She said she doesn’t believe that democracy will come in the near future.

After a US bombing campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, Donald Trump and US defence secretary Pete Hegseth offered conflicting assessments of its impact. At first, Trump claimed total obliteration, later suggesting the damage might have been ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’, while a leaked Pentagon assessment concluded the setback was only a matter of months. CIA director John Ratclife insisted that critical sites like Fordow had been rendered inoperable for years, while Israel announced that the strikes had pushed Iran’s programme back significantly. Meanwhile, questions emerged about Iran’s highly enriched uranium, some of which appears to have been moved prior to the attacks. The IAEA warned that different estimates of how long it will take Iran to rebuild distracted from the larger issue of long‑term non‑proliferation, and the risk of Iran expelling inspectors and leaving the non-proliferation treaty altogether.

Donald Trump’s decision to authorise airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities has strengthened North Korea’s belief that nuclear weapons are vital for regime survival. While both nations seek deterrence, North Korea’s approach is rooted in preserving the Kim regime itself, backed by its extensive nuclear and missile arsenal. A US strike on that arsenal is highly unlikely, due to the country’s ability to target Seoul and US interests in the Indo‑Pacific. Its deeply buried nuclear facilities and alliances with Russia and China further complicate any potential attack. Experts have warned that Trump’s decision has had a significant impact on Pyongyang’s foreign policy, strengthening its belief that possessing nuclear weapons guarantees survival. With deepening mistrust of the USA, North Korea will be even less likely than before to change its belligerent attitude.

President Donald Trump has said he will decide “within two weeks” whether the United States will become directly involved in the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. His press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, cited the possibility of upcoming negotiations with Iran as a reason for delaying immediate action. Trump has often used two-week deadlines in past political decisions, many of which passed without resolution. While the administration is maintaining “strategic ambiguity,” it has reiterated concerns that Iran is closer than ever to developing a nuclear weapon - despite intelligence suggesting otherwise. New satellite imagery has confirmed significant damage to Iran’s nuclear reactor at Arak, intensifying global concern. The US remains publicly non-committal, with Leavitt declining to address hypotheticals about potential strikes or regime change. Diplomacy may yet gain ground as European and American officials pursue back-channel discussions with Tehran. However, Trump’s unpredictability has left many allies uncertain, and the global community is watching closely for any sudden shift in American policy toward military engagement.

In Chemmani, near Jaffna, police are now guarding the site of a newly unearthed mass grave, where so far 19 bodies (including three infants) have been discovered. This grim finding has reopened deep wounds for the Tamil community, long scarred by the brutal 26-year civil war. Allegations persist of mass killings and forced disappearances by the state; Amnesty International estimates up to 100,000 disappearances since the 1980s. Chemmani holds particular significance due to the 1996 rape and murder of schoolgirl Krishanthi Kumaraswamy, which led to the first meniton of mass graves in the area. Archaeologist Raj Somadeva, leading the excavation, says that less than 40% of the site has been examined; more graves may exist. Tamil families, desperate for justice, are actively supporting the investigation. It is hoped that the discovery of mass graves like the one found in Chemmani could finally bring closure for them.

A new partnership between CURE International and Biblica is set to distribute over 87,000 Bibles in 22 languages to families receiving free surgical care at children’s hospitals across Africa and the Philippines. These hospitals, run by CURE, offer operations for conditions like spina bifida and hydrocephalus. The initiative brings physical healing and spiritual hope, rooted in CURE’s founding mission inspired by Luke 9:2 - to preach the Kingdom of God and heal the sick. CURE has performed over 330,000 surgeries and shared the Gospel with over 2.1 million people since 1996. Biblica’s role is to ensure Scripture is available in the heart languages of the patients. The collaboration addresses deep spiritual and cultural challenges, including widespread beliefs in curses and witchcraft surrounding disability. Through intentional ministry, Bible distribution, and community connections with local pastors, CURE is seeing lives transformed as parents witness healing and turn to faith. This $500,000 effort is a striking example of Kingdom collaboration bringing the light of Christ to the most vulnerable.

In one of India’s worst aviation disasters in decades, at least 240 people were killed when a Boeing 787 owned by Air India crashed in Ahmedabad soon after takeoff. The sole survivor, Vishwashkumar Ramesh, is in hospital but out of danger. The plane, bound for London, struck a residential building housing medical students; five students were killed and dozens injured. Charred wreckage and bodies were found across the crash site. Firefighters battled flames fed by full fuel tanks, while Indian army teams assisted rescue efforts. Eyewitness footage showed the plane descending before erupting into a fireball. Authorities reported the aircraft issued a mayday call before losing contact. Narendra Modi expressed profound sorrow, and Boeing is investigating its first-ever 787 Dreamliner crash. Investigators will analyse flight data to determine exactly what happened. Air India’s chairman said, ‘At the moment our primary focus is on supporting all the affected people and their families.’