On 26 February, the bodies of four Israeli hostages were handed over by Hamas, without ceremony, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. This marks the final exchange under the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, leaving 59 hostages still in captivity with no clear timeline for their release. The truce’s future remains uncertain, as Hamas signals readiness for talks on the second phase, aiming for an end to the war and further prisoner exchanges. Benjamin Netanyahu faces political pressure to resume military operations. Meanwhile, Gaza’s humanitarian crisis deepens, with severe shortages of food, medicine, and shelter. As negotiations stall, families of hostages demand immediate action, urging leaders to secure their return. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has released a bizarre video of his vision for the golden future of the Gaza strip: see

Struggling with debt and rising costs after the 2021 coup in Myanmar, farm worker Zeya decided to sell his kidney, believing it was his only way out of poverty. He found a broker who arranged his travel to India, where illegal organ sales thrive through forged documents. The broker falsified records to present Zeya as a relative of the recipient, bypassing India’s legal requirements. After a brief interview, the surgery was approved, and Zeya received about $2,700. He recovered without major complications but now fears the legal consequences of his actions. Myanmar’s economic collapse has driven many into desperation, fueling a black market in organ sales. Brokers exploit the vulnerable, deceiving them into risky, illegal surgeries. The global demand for transplants far exceeds supply, pushing the impoverished into dangerous choices. In 2007, the WHO estimated that 5-10% of transplanted organs came from the black market, but the figure may be higher.

A court has sentenced Jason and Elizabeth Struhs, members of a sect called The Saints, to 14 years in prison for manslaughter after they denied their eight-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, lifesaving insulin. This resulted in her painful death from diabetic ketoacidosis in January 2022. The sect, led by Brendan Stevens - who received a 13-year sentence - believed in divine healing and rejected modern medicine. Instead of seeking treatment, members prayed and sang as the child suffered. The authorities were only notified 36 hours after her death. Eleven others received six-to-nine-year sentences for their role in the tragedy. Although they claimed religious persecution, the court ruled their faith-based negligence was criminal. Elizabeth’s sister, Jayde, had left the sect years before, condemning its extreme beliefs. The case highlights the dangers of religious extremism and the necessity of medical care in preserving life.

Satellite images have revealed drone activity at Sudan’s Nyala airport, an RSF stronghold in South Darfur. These developments highlight the continued influx of advanced weaponry fuelling Sudan’s brutal conflict. The RSF, engaged in a power struggle with Sudan’s army since April 2023, has used Nyala as a base for its offensive on al-Fashir and attacks on civilians in the famine-stricken Zamzam camp. Analysis suggests the RSF is using Chinese-made CH-95 drones; the Sudanese army has accused the UAE of supplying them. Both factions have used drones in airstrikes, causing widespread destruction. Despite a UN arms embargo, foreign weapons continue to flow into the region, worsening the humanitarian crisis. Meanwhile, many relief organisations are withdrawing from the country, and up to 80% of the emergency food kitchens are closing. See

Dr Pamela Prince Pyle, an internal medicine physician and chair of Africa New Life Ministries, has witnessed many patients experiencing visions of Jesus and heaven in their final moments. Some, after days of unconsciousness, have suddenly called out 'Jesus!' before passing. Inspired by these encounters, she wrote Anticipating Heaven, a book combining spiritual and practical wisdom on preparing for death. Pyle emphasises that while miraculous healings don’t always happen, the greatest miracle is salvation. She urges families to continue speaking faith and truth to their loved ones, even if unconscious, as Jesus can still reach them. She contrasts two end-of-life experiences: terminal restlessness, marked by fear and darkness, and near-death awareness, where patients describe peaceful transitions, seeing loved ones, or preparing to 'go'. She also warns against euthanasia, preferring a God-ordained process of dying in faith, which can be a powerful testimony. Her book equips individuals and churches to approach death with hope, anticipation, and the assurance of heaven.

Author and speaker Jennie Allen is witnessing an extraordinary movement of God among college students across the USA. Through the UniteUs ministry, thousands are gathering for worship, repentance, and baptisms at different universities. Allen describes the revival-like atmosphere, where students confess sins, commit to Christ, and get baptised - often until the early morning. One young man, previously lost, told his friend, 'I need to go a new way’ after experiencing conviction and transformation. His friend, who had been praying for him, saw his prayers answered. These events are entirely student-led, with teams praying, fundraising, and organising the gatherings. At the University of Kentucky, students completed a 42-mile prayer walk around campus before the event, believing for revival. Allen, preparing for her own event Gather25, sees this movement as undeniably God-ordained: a miracle unfolding on campuses globally. She is in awe of what God is doing and urges believers to pray for continued awakening among students. See also

Sir Keir Starmer has backed Volodymyr Zelensky, calling him a 'democratically elected leader', after Donald Trump described him as a dictator. Starmer reassured Zelensky that suspending elections during wartime, as the UK did in World War Two, was 'perfectly reasonable’. He is set to meet Trump in Washington next week, aiming to secure a US backstop to deter further Russian aggression. He has said he is prepared to deploy British troops to Ukraine as part of a peace agreement, with Western officials suggesting under 30,000 troops could be sent to provide reassurance. Meanwhile, Trump's comments have sparked criticism from Sweden’s prime minister, German chancellor Olaf Scholz, and former US vice president Mike Pence, among others. Some Western officials are discussing using drones and intelligence aircraft to monitor Ukraine rather than deploying large numbers of troops.

Four US air force bombers have arrived at RAF Fairford as part of its Bomber Task Force Europe, reinforcing NATO’s deterrence posture amid rising tensions with Russia. The bombers have already participated in joint missions with Finland, France, and Sweden to enhance allied air force interoperability. Major-general Joseph Campo highlighted the mission’s strategic significance, stating that Bomber Task Force missions project US combat power, ensuring lethality and readiness in an evolving security landscape.  Another commander said that training with NATO allies strengthens operational cohesion and enhances the ability to deploy decisive capabilities whenever needed. The bombers will participate in joint exercises across Europe, showcasing agility and rapid-response capabilities. This deployment affirms US commitment to deterring Russian aggression and maintaining a robust defence presence in the region.

Inflation in the UK has surged to 3% in January, reaching a ten-month high, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The rise was driven by higher plane fares, increased food costs, and a sharp jump in private school fees. Analysts had expected a smaller increase of 2.8%. An ONS official explained that airfare prices did not drop as usual after the holiday season, food prices rose, and private school fees jumped significantly due to recent tax changes. Rachel Reeves defended the Government's economic strategy, stating that wage growth is outpacing inflation, putting an extra £1,000 a year in people’s pockets on average. She highlighted her focus on economic growth, cutting regulations, and investing in infrastructure. However, shadow chancellor Mel Stride blamed the Government’s 'record tax hikes and excessive spending', arguing that this rise will cause higher prices, prolonged high interest rates, and financial struggles for families.

A 74-year-old woman has become the first person charged in Scotland under the new Abortion Services Act 2024. The law, which came into force in September, bans anti-abortion protests within 200 metres of hospitals and clinics where terminations are performed. The police arrested and charged the woman after reports of a demonstration outside a Glasgow hospital. The case will be referred to the procurator fiscal. Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay, who introduced the legislation, called the protests 'shameful' and thanked the police for their swift response. She argued that the law is necessary to protect women from intimidation while accessing healthcare. The incident follows controversial remarks by US vice-president JD Vance, who falsely claimed that Scots could be prosecuted for private prayer in their homes. The Scottish government dismissed his comments as misinformation, reaffirming that private prayer is not prohibited. Mackay urged potential demonstrators to 'think again', warning that future protests will be stopped, and legal consequences will follow.