Asia
Middle East: Trump and Netanyahu meet as Iran talks continue
Rising tensions in the Middle East frame a significant meeting between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington. Israel is seeking a comprehensive agreement restricting Iran’s nuclear programme, missile development, and support for…
Japan: prime minister’s social media led to her party’s landslide victory
Growing social media interest in prime minister Sanae Takaichi appears to have significantly influenced Japan’s lower house election on 8 February, contributing to a decisive victory for her Liberal Democratic Party. Many voters…
Imprisoned Chinese pastor's daughter: ‘repression cannot extinguish faith'
At a recent meeting in Washington, Grace Jin Drexel shared the moving story of her father, Pastor Ezra Jin, imprisoned in China for his Christian faith. He was arrested in October alongside 27…
Gaza: humiliation and trauma after Rafah crossing reopens
When the Rafah border crossing was reopened on 2 February, Palestinian women returning to Gaza have described a journey marked by fear, humiliation and deep emotional trauma. Of around fifty people expecting to…
Pakistan: more than 175 terrorists killed in Balochistan
A wave of coordinated terrorist attacks struck multiple towns and cities across Balochistan in the early hours of 31 January, targeting security forces and government installations. The assaults, which were carried out by…
USA: Trump will cut tariffs if India stops buying Russian oil
Claims of a major shift in global energy politics emerged after Donald Trump announced plans to cut tariffs on Indian exports. Trump said he had agreed a trade deal with Narendra Modi in…
Iran / USA: possible scenarios if Trump decides to attack
As Donald Trump warns Iran that ‘time is running out’ for a nuclear deal (see ), and with US forces reportedly preparing for strikes on Iran within days, the consequences are far from…
China: speculation about reasons for dismissal of two senior generals
The recent decision to remove China’s two most senior generals, Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, and place them under investigation has prompted intense speculation. Zhang was the highest-ranking military figure in the Communist…
Israel: football pitch for Palestinian children wins a reprieve
A small Palestinian children’s football pitch in Bethlehem has been granted a temporary reprieve after Israel postponed its planned demolition. The Aida Youth Centre pitch, built in 2020 to serve more than two…
Pakistan: devastating fire in Karachi shopping centre
Grief and anger grip Karachi after a devastating fire tore through Gul Plaza, a crowded wholesale shopping centre, leaving at least 27 people dead and more than seventy missing. The blaze spread rapidly…
