Displaying items by tag: Asia

James O Fraser, a missionary to China in the early 1900s, is being remembered as a 'latter-day Joseph' whose quiet faithfulness sparked a spiritual awakening. Working among the Lisu people in remote southwest China, he faced immense challenges: isolation, language barriers, and demonic opposition. Yet he persevered with prayer and sacrificial service, often spending entire nights in intercession. Instead of rushing to convert, Fraser devoted himself to translating Scripture and creating a phonetic alphabet for the Lisu language. His patient work laid the foundation for a revival that would later sweep through the region. When the Chinese church faced decades of persecution, the Lisu believers endured and multiplied - in large part due to Fraser’s early efforts. Today, they are one of the few people groups in China where a whole Bible-based Christian culture exists. Fraser’s life illustrates how deep prayer and obedience can shape nations. Though largely unknown in his lifetime, his legacy is likened to that of Joseph in Egypt: faithful, prophetic, and world-changing through God’s hand.

Deadly violence has erupted in Suweida between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes, resulting in at least two hundred deaths, including children and civilians. The fighting, which began after the abduction of a Druze merchant, quickly escalated, prompting Syria's interim government to send troops into the previously autonomous Druze region. Israel launched airstrikes against these troops, claiming they were targeting the Druze, with whom Israel shares strong ties. The strikes drew international criticism and further inflamed tensions. Despite a ceasefire declared by Syria’s defence minister, reports emerged of government forces bombing Suweida, executing Druze civilians and looting homes. A Druze spiritual leader initially called for cooperation with authorities, but later urged resistance. Syria accused Israel of full responsibility for the violence, while the USA urged Israel to halt its strikes. The Israeli military has already carried out hundreds of strikes across Syria to destroy the country's military assets since the fall of the Assad regime. Breaking news: Israel has now bombed Damascus, targeting the presidential palace and the ministry of defence building. See

Human-elephant conflict in Malaysia has resulted in nearly five thousand complaints and RM40 million (£7 million) in losses over the past four years, prompting conservationists to call for a deeper, more strategic approach than the long-standing practice of elephant translocation. Prof Dr Ahmad Ismail of the Malaysian Ecological Association stressed the need for a comprehensive understanding of elephant biology, behaviour, and ecology to manage habitats effectively. He also called for strengthening ecological corridors and fostering cooperation with state governments. Meanwhile, the government wildlife department has initiated a year-long translocation operation involving 25 elephants, beginning in Johor and expanding to other conflict-prone states. A commentator, noting that limited natural landscapes leave elephants with nowhere to roam, says, ‘The elephants and all other forms of wildlife were here first’. This discussion underscores the need for proper funding and stronger commitment to preserving Malaysia’s remaining forests and natural resources.

In Iran, one of the world’s most dangerous places to be a Christian, the underground church is growing remarkably. Amid an oppressive regime enforcing Twelver Ja’afari Shia Islam, over one million believers now worship in secret, making Iran home to the fastest-growing Christian population globally. These followers meet discreetly in house churches of no more than fifteen people, risking arrest, loss of livelihood, and severe punishment. Stories like Azam’s highlight this courage: shunned for pregnancy outside marriage, she found hope in Christ through a Christian woman’s witness, discovering the One who bears shame and offers new life. Despite surveillance, threats, and societal rejection, Iranian Christians embody a faith purified through suffering, reminding believers worldwide that Christianity is not defined by comfort or buildings but by a willingness to risk all for Jesus. Their example challenges Western believers to strip away distractions and embrace genuine, sacrificial faith. Ministries like ICM partner with the underground church, discreetly distributing Scripture via micro SD cards, ensuring the Gospel continues to spread even in the darkest circumstances.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for two senior Taliban figures - supreme leader Haibatullah Akhundzada and chief justice Abdul Hakim Haqqani - accusing them of crimes against humanity through systematic gender-based persecution. Since the Taliban's return to power in August 2021, girls have been banned from education beyond sixth grade, women forced into veiling and isolation, and LGBTQ individuals have also been targeted. This is the first time an international tribunal has legally recognised LGBTQ people as victims of gender-based crimes against humanity. Though the Taliban dismissed the warrants as fuelled by ‘enmity and hatred for the pure religion of Islam’, international rights groups have praised the move as a historic and necessary step toward accountability and justice for the victims of ongoing gender-based oppression in Afghanistan. The decision came the day after the UN General Assembly expressed ‘serious concern about the widespread and systematic oppression of all women and girls in Afghanistan’, and called for the Taliban to ‘swiftly reverse these policies’.

A leaked audio recording verified by BBC Eye reveals that former prime minister Sheikh Hasina authorised lethal force against student-led protesters during last year’s deadly unrest. In the recording, Hasina is heard instructing security forces to use lethal weapons and to shoot wherever protesters are found. The protests, initially sparked by opposition to civil service job quotas, escalated into a mass movement that led to Hasina's ousting in July 2024, after fifteen years in power. According to UN investigators, up to 1,400 people were killed in what became Bangladesh’s deadliest violence since its 1971 independence war. The leaked call, which has been authenticated by audio forensics experts, occurred on 18 July, as outrage grew over video evidence of police killings. Hasina, now in exile in India, faces charges of crimes against humanity in a special tribunal. The recording is considered a key piece of evidence in the proceedings.

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.