Protesters in Venice have claimed an ‘enormous victory’ after forcing US billionaire Jeff Bezos and guests to move their wedding celebration away from the city centre. The three‑day event, featuring A‑list guests like Kim Kardashian and Leonardo DiCaprio, sparked anger over the overt display of wealth and the strain caused by such a huge event. The group No Space for Bezos, supported by activists and environmental campaigners, celebrated the shift as a symbolic win for locals against wealthy elites. One activist said it demonstrated how ordinary citizens can challenge even the powerful. Venice, grappling with rising seas and rising rents, has long been a flashpoint for debates about sustainable tourism and economic equity. City authorities criticised the protest, citing the benefits that wealthy visitors bring. Yet activists insist that the issues of over‑crowding, rising costs, and climate vulnerability must be addressed. The wedding itself will of course proceed, but for many Venetians, this moment has highlighted urgent questions about the future of their historic city.
After a US bombing campaign targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, Donald Trump and US defence secretary Pete Hegseth offered conflicting assessments of its impact. At first, Trump claimed total obliteration, later suggesting the damage might have been ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’, while a leaked Pentagon assessment concluded the setback was only a matter of months. CIA director John Ratclife insisted that critical sites like Fordow had been rendered inoperable for years, while Israel announced that the strikes had pushed Iran’s programme back significantly. Meanwhile, questions emerged about Iran’s highly enriched uranium, some of which appears to have been moved prior to the attacks. The IAEA warned that different estimates of how long it will take Iran to rebuild distracted from the larger issue of long‑term non‑proliferation, and the risk of Iran expelling inspectors and leaving the non-proliferation treaty altogether.
Donald Trump’s decision to authorise airstrikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities has strengthened North Korea’s belief that nuclear weapons are vital for regime survival. While both nations seek deterrence, North Korea’s approach is rooted in preserving the Kim regime itself, backed by its extensive nuclear and missile arsenal. A US strike on that arsenal is highly unlikely, due to the country’s ability to target Seoul and US interests in the Indo‑Pacific. Its deeply buried nuclear facilities and alliances with Russia and China further complicate any potential attack. Experts have warned that Trump’s decision has had a significant impact on Pyongyang’s foreign policy, strengthening its belief that possessing nuclear weapons guarantees survival. With deepening mistrust of the USA, North Korea will be even less likely than before to change its belligerent attitude.
A deadly attack on the Mar Elias Church in Damascus on 22 June has shaken Syria, especially its Christian community. At least 25 people were killed when an armed man opened fire and detonated a suicide bomb. The attack, claimed by both IS and another group, has spotlighted serious security concerns for Syria's new government. Labour affairs minister Hind Kabawat called for unity, stressing the shared pain of Christians and Muslims. The end of Bashar al-Assad's brutal regime was meant to usher in a hopeful era, yet the recent attack raises questions about the new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and his ability to protect religious minorities. Despite promises of inclusivity, tensions and mistrust linger. The Mar Elias attack intensifies fears that minorities may be forced to leave the country, highlighting the fragile nature of Syria's recovery. The government's response to these security and sectarian threats will define its legitimacy and shape its future.
Sudan: devastating attack on hospital
26 Jun 2025A brutal attack on Al Mujlad Hospital in West Kordofan has left over forty dead, including children and medical staff, in one of the deadliest assaults on a medical facility since the war began in April 2023. WHO chief Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus condemned the attack as ‘appalling’; it is not yet clear whether the army or the RSF was responsible. The fighting between the two sides has deepened a crisis which has left millions displaced and malnourished. Al Mujlad was the area’s only functioning hospital, and its loss intensifies the plight of communities already grappling with disease, famine, and displacement. Humanitarian organisations have warned that children bear the greatest toll, with rising malnutrition and exposure to exploitation. As Sudan’s war enters its third year, the call from global health leaders is clear: the targeting of hospitals and health workers must end immediately to prevent further humanitarian catastrophe.
Colombia: 57 soldiers kidnapped in rebel area
26 Jun 202557 Colombian soldiers have been seized by civilians and armed rebels in the Micay Canyon area, a vital cocaine-producing area in the southwest. The first group was captured on 21 June during an army operation in El Tambo; then another platoon was surrounded by roughly 200 residents near El Plateado. General Federico Alberto Mejía called the incidents a ‘kidnapping’ by rebels who infiltrate local communities, acting under the command of a FARC dissident group that refused the 2016 peace accord. President Gustavo Petro, committed to peace, announced that the release of the soldiers is ‘imperative’ as tensions rise. The government is struggling to regain control of rural areas as splintered armed groups move to dominate territories abandoned by FARC after the peace agreement. This crisis has reignited fears across Colombia, evoking memories of the bloody cartel violence and political assassinations which plagued the nation in the 1980s and 1990s.
USA: Surprise result in New York mayoral primary
26 Jun 2025Zohran Mamdani, a 33‑year‑old state lawmaker and self‑described socialist, has won New York City’s Democratic mayoral primary, defeating former governor Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani, focusing sharply on rising living costs, promised free buses, free childcare, affordable housing, and a higher minimum wage, financed by taxing the wealthy. If elected in November, he would be the city’s first Muslim and Indian mayor. His victory reflects growing progressive momentum. Cuomo, seeking a comeback after a sexual harassment scandal, conceded defeat, stating, ‘Tonight is his night’. Critics question Mamdani’s experience, fearing he may be ill‑prepared for crisis management. Current mayor Eric Adams, indicted on corruption charges, announced he will run as an independent.The outcome of the primary, held amid sweltering temperatures, and the outcome of this race could indicate the type of leader Democrats are looking for during Donald Trump's second term.
Praying for People by Name – 2 resources
26 Jun 2025We would like to bring to you two resources to encourage you as you pray for people by name…
1. VIDEO: Praying for People by Name – A Powerful New Invitation from Dr. Jason Hubbard
What if the greatest miracles began with the simplest prayer—lifting one name before the throne of God?
In a short but stirring video message, Dr. Jason Hubbard, Director of International Prayer Connect, calls us to a deeply personal and powerful strategy in global intercession: Praying for People by Name.
Rooted in God’s love for every individual and anchored in His desire that none should perish, this video is an invitation to reclaim the intimacy and urgency of intercessory prayer. Dr. Hubbard reminds us that Jesus Himself prays for us by name (Hebrews 7:25), and He calls His Church to join Him in that holy partnership.
This is more than a method - it’s a movement of intentional prayer. Whether you are interceding for a friend, a family member, or an unreached people group, praying by name aligns your heart with God’s heart. It stirs faith, ignites hope, and releases Kingdom breakthrough.
In just a few minutes, you’ll be encouraged to:
- Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight specific names of those He’s calling you to pray for
- Write their names down and begin lifting them before the Lord regularly
- Believe that God is working, even when we don’t yet see the results
We’re seeing a global shift in prayer - away from vague generalities and toward intentional, Spirit-led intercession. Every name matters to Jesus. And when we call on heaven with faith, even one whispered name can echo across eternity.
We invite you to watch the video, share it with your church or small group, and let it inspire a fresh season of prayer.
Together, let’s pray name by name until Jesus receives the reward of His suffering - souls saved, cities changed, nations awakened.