China: raid on Protestant church, two leaders arrested

Today’s headlines: Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing visits Beijing; Dhaka protests over the treatment of a diplomat at New Delhi airport; A 6.7-magnitude earthquake has struck central Indonesia; Strait of Hormuz set for full reopening; Netanyahu: we will continue to occupy Lebanon.

CHINA

The Early Rain Protestant Church, an influential evangelical church in China, has reported that two of its leaders have been arrested after several dozen worshippers, including some children, were taken away for questioning. They were attending a Sunday service in Jiangyou when armed police officers stormed the hall. Founded in 2008 in the city of Chengdu, the Early Rain Church is part of the network of so-called ‘house churches’ that have long been targeted by the Chinese Communist Party, given the strict control over religion in the region.

MYANMAR - CHINA

The state visit to China by Myanmar’s President Min Aung Hlaing gives the former junta leader a significant diplomatic boost as he seeks to consolidate his grip on power in a war-torn country, in the wake of widely condemned elections. The five-day trip and meeting with Xi Jinping represents the highest level of diplomatic engagement and follows an official visit to India in May. China is Myanmar’s main trading partner and investor. Xi Jinping and Min Aung Hlaing witnessed the signing of 18 memoranda of cooperation, covering cross-border transport in the Greater Mekong sub-region, free trade, disaster relief, healthcare and the media.

BANGLADESH - INDIA

Bangladesh has summoned a senior Indian diplomat to protest against the treatment of an adviser to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. He was reportedly detained and questioned for several hours at New Delhi airport, in the latest episode of diplomatic tension between the two neighbouring countries. Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman described the incident as “unexpected and regrettable”, whilst Dhaka has formally expressed its concerns.

INDONESIA

According to the US Geological Survey, a 6.7-magnitude earthquake at a shallow depth struck central Indonesia, with no immediate reports of casualties or damage. The tremor struck south-east of Palu, in Central Sulawesi province, at 10.27 am local time. The earthquake was felt with some intensity in Palu and Sigi, but posed no tsunami risk, according to the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics.

IRAN - UNITED STATES

US Vice-President JD Vance has stated that he expects UN nuclear inspectors to return to Iran and that there will be no blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, which will be fully open by Friday. According to Iranian media, three Iranian oil tankers and two cargo ships have passed through Hormuz after the US lifted the blockade. For Trump, the memorandum of understanding with Iran is ‘fully signed’ electronically. Meanwhile, Netanyahu states that Israeli troops will continue to occupy southern Lebanon; despite the fact that the agreement between the US and Iran also covers military operations in Lebanon.

RUSSIA - UKRAINE

At least five people have died and 30 have been injured following a massive Russian air raid on Kyiv. Damage and fires, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko, have been reported in almost every district of the city, with emergency services responding at 50 sites. The roof of the Cathedral of the Dormition at the Lavra of the Caves Monastery caught fire, with the blaze affecting an area of 800 square metres; Bishop Avraamyj, the monastery’s abbot, reported that the ancient icons and other sacred objects were saved before the evacuation.

ARMENIA

The former Armenian president and leader of the opposition Armenian Alliance party, Robert Kocharyan, was prevented from leaving the country; he was stopped by law enforcement officers at Zvartnots Airport, and he stated that he considered the authorities’ decision “illegal and unfounded”. The day before, he had written on Facebook that he had planned a three-day visit to Russia, announcing it in advance this time due to the “fake news” recently spread by the authorities regarding the travels of opposition members.