Asia
South Korea: president faces impeachment after failed declaration of martial law
South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol faces political turmoil after his controversial declaration of martial law on 3 December triggered calls for impeachment and police investigations into alleged insurrection. Opposition lawmakers accuse him…
Syria: rebel forces capture Aleppo, now targeting Hama
Buoyed by their lightning capture of Aleppo and swathes of northern Syria, rebel forces – led by Islamist factions – are now targeting the strategically important town of Hama. This offensive, ending four…
Israel: soldiers refusing to serve in Gaza
Yuval Green, a 26-year-old Israeli reservist and medic, answered the call to defend his country after the devastating Hamas attack in October 2023. Witnessing the aftermath in Gaza, he encountered unimaginable horrors, including…
Saudi Arabia: church growth surges despite challenges
In Saudi Arabia, a nation historically closed to the Gospel, Christianity is growing faster than the global average. Despite strict bans on evangelism and the threat of severe punishment, including execution for apostasy,…
Lebanon: Israel / Hezbollah ceasefire comes into effect
A ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, brokered by the USA, began on 27 November, with thousands of displaced people cautiously returning to southern Lebanon. The truce calls for a sixty-day withdrawal period for…
Pakistan: Imran Khan’s supporters in clashes with police
Supporters of Imran Khan have staged protests in Islamabad demanding his release, defying a government lockdown, road barricades, and internet blackouts. On 26 November they clashed with security forces, leading to several deaths,…
Myanmar: ICC issues arrest warrant for military leader
The International Criminal Court (ICC) prosecutor plans to seek an arrest warrant for Myanmar’s military leader, Min Aung Hlaing, for crimes against humanity in the alleged persecution and forced deportation of Rohingya Muslims.…
Startling contrasts between North and South Korea
The church in North Korea is growing at a remarkable 6% a year, far higher than the South Korean church's 0.7% growth rate, despite severe persecution under the Kim regime. With 400,000 Christians,…
Hong Kong: pro-democracy activists jailed
A group of 47 prominent pro-democracy figures in Hong Kong, including activists, journalists, and former lawmakers, have been sentenced to prison terms of up to ten years on subversion charges. This marks the…
Sri Lanka: sweeping victory for president’s party
The National People’s Power (NPP) party, led by president Anura Kamara Dissanayake, has achieved a historic election victory, securing 159 seats. This was the most dominant result since the proportional representation system was…
