Asia

• Japan earthquake death toll rises to 30 as evacuees battle sweltering heat 31 July 2026
  The death toll from the powerful earthquake that struck Japan’s Kumamoto prefecture has risen to 30 as rescue teams continue searching for survivors amid difficult conditions. The magnitude 6.8 earthquake caused widespread destruction, collapsing homes, damaging infrastructure, and triggering a shopping centre collapse and subsequent explosion that claimed several lives.…
• Christians in Bengal plan rallies against rising attacks by Hindu nationalists 31 July 2026
  Church leaders in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal are organising rallies and prayer gatherings following a series of attacks on Christian communities after the formation of a new state government. The Bengal Christian Council says the events will promote communal harmony, defend constitutional freedoms, and call for stronger…
• CSW welcomes release of Zion Church pastor 23 July 2026
  Pastor Ezra Jin Mingri, senior pastor of Beijing’s Zion Church, has been released after spending almost nine months in detention in China. He was among 28 church leaders arrested during coordinated raids in eleven cities in October 2025 as part of a wider crackdown on unregistered churches. Initially charged with…
• China / Philippines: confrontation over disputed reef 23 July 2026
  Tensions between China and the Philippines have increased following a confrontation near Ren’ai Reef in the South China Sea. China has summoned the Philippine ambassador, accusing Manila of provoking the incident and defending the actions of its coastguards as lawful. The Philippines has maintained a military vessel at the reef…
• India: opposition leader detained briefly during protests about education 23 July 2026
  There have been widespread protests over alleged failures in India’s education system, with opposition leader Rahul Gandhi briefly detained during a demonstration outside Narendra Modi’s residence before being released. The unrest, after leaked medical entrance exam papers forced more than two million students to retake the tests, has intensified demands…