At least twelve people were killed and thirty wounded in a deadly militant attack on a military base in Bannu, northwestern Pakistan. Two suicide bombers detonated explosive-laden vehicles near the base’s wall, allowing several attackers to attempt entry before being eliminated. The attack occurred after sunset, when many would have been breaking their Ramadan fast. A Taliban-linked group, Jaish Al-Fursan, claimed responsibility. The explosions damaged homes, causing roofs and walls to collapse, killing civilians, including four children. A nearby mosque was also severely impacted, with the imam among the dead. Prime minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the assault, and the province's chief minister has ordered an investigation. This was the third militant attack in Pakistan since Ramadan began, continuing a pattern of escalating violence in the region. Security forces remain on high alert following the assault.

Japan is battling its worst wildfire in fifty years, with over four thousand residents evacuated and one confirmed dead. The blaze, which started near the northern town of Ofunato, has consumed around 2,600 hectares. It follows Japan’s hottest recorded summer, exacerbated by climate change and low rainfall. Firefighters and military helicopters are struggling to contain the flames, with no sign of control. Nearly two thousand firefighters, many from Tokyo, are on the scene. The Iwate region, previously devastated by the 2011 tsunami, now faces further hardship. Authorities continue to assess the damage, which includes at least eighty buildings. While wildfires in Japan have declined since the 1970s, the country still saw 1,300 in 2023, mostly during the months of February to April when the air dries and winds pick up.

Severe flooding in Jakarta and surrounding areas has displaced thousands and caused significant property damage. Torrential rains since 3 March have raised water levels by up to three metres, submerging over a thousand homes and vehicles. The capital’s governor has declared a heightened alert, ordering water pumps and cloud seeding operations to reduce rainfall. Bekasi has been hit hardest, with floodwaters inundating a hospital, forcing patient evacuations and causing power cuts. Rescue teams are using boats to assist trapped residents. This is Jakarta’s worst flooding since 2020, when record rains claimed sixty lives. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation and coordinating relief efforts, including evacuations, food distribution, and emergency services. The weather agency has warned that heavy rains may persist until 11 March, potentially worsening conditions. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and adhere to guidance from local authorities.

Christians in India are requesting urgent prayers after the spread of viral videos inciting mob violence against them on 1 March. During a massive Hindu pilgrimage, Aadesh Soni accused Christians in Chhattisgarh state of killing cows and called for vigilante action. Another religious leader urged followers: ‘Do not ask for the death penalty for cow slayers. Kill them and ask for the death penalty for yourselves. Do not wait for the law to act.’ Social media platforms and WhatsApp groups are mobilising thousands to take part in the attacks. Though Soni later claimed he is not against Christians, believers remain fearful. Police are patrolling targeted villages, and Christians are calling on local authorities to prevent the violence. Chhattisgarh has long been a hotspot for Christian persecution, with over 130 attacks recorded in 2023 alone.

A baby girl born in Tibu, Colombia, on 11 February was just five days old when her family fled violence, joining over 55,000 displaced by escalating conflict. FARC dissidents and the National Liberation Army (ELN) have clashed in Catatumbo since January, forcing families to abandon homes amid kidnappings and attacks. The UN calls it Colombia’s largest mass displacement from a single event. In Cucuta, 120 km away, displaced families face uncertainty. Aid efforts struggle with limited resources as shelters and local hotels fill up. Farmers have left crops and livestock, worsening food shortages. Meanwhile, the violence exposes flaws in president Gustavo Petro’s ‘total peace’ policy, as negotiations with rebel groups repeatedly collapse. The state’s slow response to building infrastructure and curbing the coca trade has fuelled instability, leaving thousands to wonder when they can return home.

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.

Christians worldwide are invited to join the annual 30 Days of Prayer for the Muslim World, interceding for revival during Ramadan. Prayer guides for adults and children focus on key Muslim-majority cities and are available online in 33 languages. Participants can also receive daily email prayer prompts. The initiative culminates in One Miracle Night on 27 March - a 24-hour global prayer event focused on 30 unreached megacities, calling for personal revival, revival in the local church, and revival across the Muslim world. Believers are encouraged to sign up, pray, and share this opportunity with their churches and networks, trusting that God will move in response to His people’s prayers.  

Keir Starmer has held his first meeting with Donald Trump. Despite tensions between the White House and Europe, Starmer affirmed his trust in Trump and emphasised the 'special relationship' between the UK and the USA. However, Trump appeared reluctant to commit to a US military backstop for Ukraine, stating that Europe should take the lead. Starmer underscored the importance of a lasting peace with a security guarantee to deter further Russian aggression. While the UK and France are prepared to deploy peacekeeping troops, securing US support remains crucial. In preparation for the talks, the UK pledged to increase defence spending, a key NATO requirement, while maintaining strong ties with both the US and European allies. Starmer reassured the British public that national security remains a top priority, while also highlighting opportunities for job creation in the defence sector. For an assessment of Starmer’s visit, which included an invitation from King Charles for an unprecedented second state visit, see

A growing number of qualified GPs in England are unable to find work, with some resorting to jobs such as Uber driving to pay their bills. This crisis has been blamed on chronic underfunding and the rising costs of running GP practices, which has left many surgeries without the resources to hire doctors. A new survey by the British Medical Association found that one in five GPs is considering leaving the profession, while nearly half of those surveyed are looking for work outside the NHS. Some are seeking GP roles abroad, while others are considering leaving healthcare altogether. The government has pledged £889 million to reduce administrative burdens and expand GP recruitment programs, but experts warn this is not a long-term solution. Many doctors remain concerned that rising employer national insurance costs will further squeeze GP practices, potentially leading to a mass exodus from the profession. With demand for GP appointments at an all-time high, medical professionals are warning that unless core funding is significantly increased, the NHS could face a two-tier system, similar to what has happened in dentistry, where more doctors turn to private healthcare instead of the NHS. See

The Isle of Man is on course to become the first place in the British Isles to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill adults, as its parliament enters the final stages of debate on the legislation. If passed, the law would allow people over 18 with a prognosis of  less than twelve months to live to end their own lives under strict medical supervision. The proposal has sparked strong debate, with supporters arguing it grants dignity to those facing unbearable suffering, while opponents, including some doctors, fear it could lead to coercion and an expansion of euthanasia laws in the future. The UK, Scotland, and Jersey are also considering similar legislation, though their proposals differ in residency requirements and medical oversight. Some doctors on the Isle of Man have warned they may leave the profession if the law is enacted, while others see it as a necessary step for those suffering from painful, terminal illnesses.