Displaying items by tag: Asia

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.

The Gaza ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, in effect since 19 January, is at risk of collapsing. Efforts by Egypt and Qatar to mediate continue, as a senior Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo to salvage the truce. Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that if hostages are not released by Saturday, intense military operations will resume. The situation has been further complicated by Donald Trump's recent proposal to remove Gaza’s Palestinian residents, which has emboldened Israel’s far-right leaders. Some Israeli ministers are now demanding a total military takeover of Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli security officials argue that breaking the ceasefire would endanger hostages still held in Gaza. Families of captives and displaced Gazans fear renewed conflict. Breaking news: Hamas has said it will release three hostages on 15 February as agreed, although earlier it had threatened to cancel the ceasefire, claiming that Israel had failed to fulfil key commitments.

Shakoofa Khalili and her family fled Afghanistan after the Taliban’s takeover in 2021, hoping for resettlement in the USA. Along with thousands of others, they have been stranded in Pakistan, awaiting visas that may never come. Khalili once worked for a US-funded child protection programme, but now she and her family fear deportation to Afghanistan. Donald Trump’s suspension of the US Refugee Admissions Programme (USRAP) has locked out many Afghans, particularly women, who now have no legal protection. Pakistan’s government is implementing a repatriation plan which could affect thousands: advocacy groups warn that returnees face arrest, torture, or execution. For Khalili, the fear is personal - her young daughter was severely traumatised when she witnessed her father almost being arrested by police. With no clear path to safety, thousands of Afghans remain in hiding, praying for intervention before time runs out.

In Thailand, where less than one percent of the population is evangelical Christian, social media are proving to be a powerful tool for evangelism. Stephen Cox, part of an IMB team in Chiang Mai, has been using digital engagement to share testimonies of first-generation Thai believers who once sought fulfillment in Buddhism but found true peace in Christ. Recognising the shift from traditional evangelism to digital platforms, his team launched social media ads asking,'How can we pray for you? ' After national tragedies, including flooding in Chiang Mai and a tragic school bus fire in Bangkok, they created an ad addressing the world’s brokenness, linking to a gospel message and disaster relief resources. The results have been remarkable: the campaign has reached over 980,000 people, with 70,000 watching testimonies in full and over 500 reaching out to learn more. Churches in the USA funded the ads, while Thai believers followed up with those interested. Cox and his team continue to pray for many more to come to Christ through digital outreach.

Donald Trump has proposed permanently resettling Palestinians out of Gaza, calling it a ‘demolition site’ and suggesting US involvement in rebuilding the territory. His remarks, made during a visit to Washington by Benjamin Netanyahu, seem to signal a major shift in US policy on Israel and the Palestinians. Arab nations have strongly rejected the plan, warning that it could destabilise the region and expand the conflict. Under international law, forced population transfers are prohibited. Trump’s vision, which includes an international takeover of Gaza, aligns with far-right Israeli groups advocating for indefinite war against Hamas and the expansion of Jewish settlements. They might welcome Trump’s position, but for millions of displaced Palestinians, it represents the threat of permanent exile and collective punishment. Meanwhile, sick and wounded Palestinians have left the Gaza strip as the fragile ceasefire continues: see