Former army general Prabowo Subianto, 72, has claimed victory in Indonesia’s presidential election with nearly 60% of the vote, according to unofficial results from state-owned Antara, CNN Indonesia, and Reuters. Prabowo has said, ‘I will nurture, protect and defend all the people of Indonesia, regardless of their background’. He also urged his supporters to remain calm, to prevent a repeat of 2019's deadly riots. Indonesia, home to over 200 million voters, faced logistical challenges due to its vast geography and diverse population. Young voters played a significant role in the election. Prabowo’s military past, linked to alleged human rights violations and ties to Suharto's regime, remains contentious. Despite losses in previous elections, he joined forces with former president Joko Widodo’s son Gibran, a move criticised for potential nepotism. The transformation from military figure to democratic supporter has marked his political career, culminating in this victory and a new chapter in Indonesian politics.

South Africa's contingent of 2,900 soldiers deployed to the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is expected to cost just over R2 billion (£850 million), as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission takes on a year-long tour to help stabilise that troubled region. The SAMIDRC also includes soldiers from Malawi, Tanzania and the DRC itself. The deployment of this force follows its principle of collective self-defence and collective action, which states: ‘Any armed attack perpetrated against one of the state parties shall be considered a threat to regional peace and security, and shall be met with immediate collective action.’ President Cyril Ramaphosa has defended his deployment of the force as ‘South Africa's international obligation’ towards the SADC.

Labour has halved its commitment to green investments, reducing its annual pledge from £28bn to less than £15bn. This decision, a significant shift under Keir Starmer's leadership, has caused unrest among environmentalists, unions, and some in the energy sector. Only one-third of the revised budget, announced by Starmer and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves, represents new funding. The reduction aims to mitigate Conservative criticism about excessive borrowing, yet it has angered environmental groups who argue it increases long-term costs and hinders achieving green objectives. The Unite union criticised Labour for aligning too closely with Conservative policies, while the energy sector expressed concern over diminished ambitions for UK energy. Starmer justified the decision by citing changed economic circumstances since the initial announcement in 2021, including high interest rates and government debt concerns. The revised plan includes £4.7bn yearly on green projects, complementing existing government commitments. Labour MPs have expressed relief at the change, despite the reduced financial commitment. Environmental campaigners, however, are disappointed, pointing out the challenge of meeting energy targets with less funding.

IPC's Global Day of Prayer for the Buddhist World, on 10 February, is a unified prayer initiative coinciding with the Chinese New Year. It aims to gather millions to pray for Jesus to be known across Buddhist communities. We are encouraged to pray specifically for Gospel movements, the revelation of Jesus Christ, and the planting of new churches. The initiative includes focused prayers for various Asian cities, emphasising the need for labourers to spread the Gospel and the translation of the Bible into local languages. The event seeks to unite believers in a collective effort, believing in the transformative power of prayer to bring hope and change. For more information, click the ‘More’ link.

Usher Raymond IV, renowned for his two-decade-long music career, attributes his stability to his faith, especially as he gears up for his performance at Super Bowl 58. Usher, who began singing in his church choir at a young age, expressed gratitude for a family who instilled in him the importance of church and faith. His debut album marked the beginning of an illustrious career, earning him a spot among the best-selling music artists globally, with sales of 80 million records worldwide. Despite his success, Usher emphasises the importance of staying true to oneself, avoiding getting swept up in fame. His commitment to his faith is evident in his albums' liner notes, social media, and public acknowledgments of God. He often shares scriptures, like Psalm 46:10, to express his spirituality. He considers the Super Bowl halftime show an extraordinary honour and a significant milestone in his career. His journey, marked by both fame and personal challenges, continues to be guided by his steadfast faith.

Buckingham Palace has announced that King Charles, aged 75, has been diagnosed with cancer. The cancer (the type has not been disclosed) was discovered during treatment for an enlarged prostate. As a result, the King has started 'regular treatments' and has put his public duties on hold, though he remains optimistic about his recovery and eager to resume full duties as soon as possible. The King personally informed his sons, Prince William and Prince Harry, about his diagnosis. Despite stepping back from public engagements, he will continue his constitutional duties, including weekly telephone meetings with Rishi Sunak. Queen Camilla, Prince William, the Princess Royal, and Prince Edward will cover some of his duties. The King has been vocal about his condition to raise awareness and encourage cancer screenings.

Rishi Sunak has expressed willingness to review a report suggesting Northern Ireland should enhance its role in the UK's national security. He did so during Prime Minister’s Questions, where DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson praised Sunak for reviving Stormont's political institutions, strengthening the union, and revitalising Northern Ireland's economy and political landscape. He urged Sunak to consider the Policy Exchange report, which recommends increasing Northern Ireland's contribution to national defence. The report highlights Northern Ireland's strategic importance, advocating for expanded naval and air operations against Russian threats and urging collaboration with regional partners for collective security. Sunak commended Sir Jeffrey's leadership and acknowledged the enhanced union due to the return of devolution.

The Home Secretary is reviewing whether tighter scrutiny is needed for asylum seekers claiming conversion to Christianity. This follows the case of Abdul Ezedi, a 35-year-old Afghan asylum seeker and convicted sex offender, who converted to Christianity and is suspected of a chemical attack in South London. James Cleverly will receive a detailed report on Ezedi, highlighting concerns about the authenticity of conversions among refugees. Tim Loughton MP emphasised the need for rigorous examination of such claims to assess the risk of returning these individuals to their home countries. Former home secretary Suella Braverman accused the Church of enabling widespread false asylum claims. David Rees, a church elder, said that forty asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm barge are Christian converts; some had converted before they had arrived in the UK. He outlined the church's process for verifying conversions, including public testimonies in the converts' native languages. The Home Office stated it has procedures to prevent fraudulent asylum claims based on religious beliefs.