There have been very few opportunities in the last three years for women to escape from the bleakness of life under Taliban rule, with teenage girls having been barred from formal education. Now a new law has been passed which restricts their freedoms even further. The law enhances the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice Ministry’s control over Afghan citizens, worsening the already severe limitations on women’s rights. Many women are scared to speak or even leave their homes; activists like Nausheen, who previously protested and was once arrested and beaten, now refrain from public dissent due to the fear of violent retaliation. Some women are rebelling quietly, running secret schools and sharing their resistance through masked online videos. The international community, including the EU, has condemned the new restrictions as ‘systematic and systemic abuses, which may amount to gender persecution’. However, a government spokesman said the values laid out in the law are in line with Islamic traditions.
USA: Harris v Trump presidential debate
12 Sep 2024
Kamala Harris faced Donald Trump in a high-stakes debate ahead of the 2024 election. Harris, making her debate debut against Trump, focused on attacking his leadership, highlighting his shifting positions on abortion and crowd sizes. Trump attempted to play up his immigration policies but struggled under Harris’s sharp retorts. Harris emphasised her vision for change, positioning herself as the candidate to move beyond Trump’s ‘tired playbook’ of grievances. Despite Trump’s attempts to paint her as a continuation of Joe Biden, she stayed on message, especially on economic and climate issues. The debate moderators fact-checked Trump, leading to complaints from him and his supporters about unfair treatment. Harris ended the debate on a high note, made even better when pop star Taylor Swift publicly endorsed her. Though polls show mixed views on who represents ‘change’, Harris’s performance has solidified her status as a strong contender in the extremely tight race for the White House.
Gaza: six UN workers killed
12 Sep 2024
On 11 September the UN agency for refugees (UNRWA) reported that six of its employees had been killed in an Israeli airstrike on al-Jaouni school in central Gaza, which was sheltering thousands of displaced Palestinians. Altogether, eighteen were killed in the attack. Israel's military stated that the strike targeted terrorists planning attacks from the school, adding that measures were taken to avoid civilian casualties. The UN condemned the attack as a violation of international humanitarian law. The incident marks the fifth strike on the school in eleven months and the highest death toll among UN staff in the current conflict. Israel defended the airstrike, asserting that Hamas uses civilian buildings for military operations - a claim which Hamas denies. Meanwhile, there is evidence that Israel has been laying tarmac on a crucial border road: see
On Brazil’s independence day, former president Jair Bolsonaro led thousands in a protest in Sao Paulo against the country's ban on the social media platform X. The ban was ordered by supreme court justice Alexandre de Moraes after X, owned by Elon Musk, failed to appoint a legal representative in Brazil as required. De Moraes has also had ongoing disputes with Musk over misinformation. The supreme court unanimously upheld the ban, sparking anger from far-right supporters who viewed it as an infringement on free speech. Bolsonaro, a key figure in Brazil’s far-right, called for the protest, describing it as a fight for democracy and free expression. Bolsonaro has a history of clashes with De Moraes, especially after the 2022 elections when he spread misinformation about electoral fraud, leading to protests and a violent assault on government buildings. De Moraes eventually banned Bolsonaro from office until 2030 for his role in spreading false information.
Guediawaye beach, close to Senegal’s capital Dakar, is suffering from coastal erosion, leaving residents with limited access to safe, local beaches. The Senegal Youth Consortium (CJS) has launched a project to rehabilitate the beach while empowering youth. Through cultural and sports activities such as swimming, boxing, and golf, the initiative attracts hundreds of young people each weekend. It educates participants about environmental issues, particularly coastal erosion, and encourages them to take ownership of the beach’s preservation. The project is set to create 400 jobs in the coming months; unemployment is particularly prevalent among Senegal’s youth. The country’s coastline is estimated to be retreating by 0.5 to 2 metres per year. Meanwhile, a new technique for combating erosion is being trialled in Togo: see
Brad Arnold, the lead singer of the rock band 3 Doors Down, made headlines after pausing a recent concert to share the Gospel message. He spoke openly about his faith in Jesus Christ, emphasising the importance of salvation and the love of God. He urged the audience to accept Christ as their Saviour, reminding them that Jesus died for the sins of humanity. Arnold's testimony stood out in an industry where sharing Christian beliefs is often rare, and his boldness to proclaim his faith resonated with many fans. His public declaration reflects a growing trend among Christian musicians who use their platform to speak about their faith in secular environments. The message was well-received by many in attendance, some of whom expressed gratitude for his courage to share his beliefs.
A powerful testimony shared tells the story of Abdu Murray, who had a life-changing encounter with the Holy Spirit after visiting a church. Curious about Christianity, he decided to attend a church service with no intention of becoming a believer. As he left the service and began walking home, something extraordinary happened: he was suddenly forced to the ground by an unseen power. He described the experience as overwhelming, realising he was being confronted by the presence of God. In that moment the Holy Spirit spoke to him, revealing the truth of Jesus Christ. Abdu immediately repented, embraced Christianity, and has since become a committed follower of Jesus. His testimony serves as a reminder of God's relentless pursuit of the lost, even in the most unexpected circumstances. This remarkable encounter with the Holy Spirit not only transformed his life but has also inspired others in his community to seek God’s presence.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry’s final report concluded that the tragic fire of 2017, which claimed 72 lives, was entirely avoidable and resulted from widespread dishonesty and incompetence by those involved in the building’s refurbishment. The report condemned several companies for manipulating safety testing and installing combustible cladding. Additionally, it highlighted government failures, both local and national, which ignored warnings about fire risks in high-rise buildings for decades. Survivors and victims’ families, devastated by the findings, are calling for manslaughter charges against those responsible. However, Scotland Yard stated that it would take another 12-18 months to review the report, delaying potential prosecutions until 2026. This has caused frustration among families, many of whom feel that justice is long overdue. While political leaders have expressed regret and promised accountability, survivors remain sceptical, demanding criminal charges and reforms to prevent future tragedies. The inquiry also revealed the complicity of regulators and architects, who ignored fire safety in favour of cost-cutting measures.