As a mischievous fourth-grader, Jennifer Fulwiler moved all the Bibles in her school library to the fiction section. Raised on science and Carl Sagan, atheism was her belief system. However, everything changed when she had a baby. Holding her newborn, she realised profound flaws in atheism and felt a transcendent love that contradicted her materialist worldview. The atheist worldview, she found, could justify immoral behaviour from a survival perspective. When she questioned this, fellow atheists dismissed her concerns. After marrying and having a baby, she marvelled at the miracle of life, sensing that her love for her child was more than just a chemical reaction. This realisation eroded her atheism. Seven months later, drawn to a book in a store, she discovered Lee Strobel's 'The Case for Christ'. Expecting to refute it, she was instead convinced by his arguments. Jennifer accepted Jesus and now plants seeds for the Gospel as a Catholic comedian, transformed by her journey from atheism to faith.
YouGov's latest election model projects the Conservative Party winning just 108 seats, marking the lowest total in its history, and a 32-seat drop from just two weeks ago. Labour is set to gain 425 seats, a significant increase of 125 from the 2019 election, positioning them for a substantial majority. The model predicts that the SNP will become the second-largest Scottish party with 42 seats, and the Liberal Democrats will achieve their best-ever result with 67 seats. Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, is projected to secure five seats, while the Greens are set to win two seats. Labour's projected success extends across both urban and rural areas, notably becoming the largest party in traditionally Conservative regions such as the South East and South West. This dramatic shift potentially indicates a significant realignment in the political landscape, with the Conservatives facing unprecedented losses and Labour poised for a commanding parliamentary presence.
Kate and her royal 'secret weapon'
20 Jun 2024The Princess of Wales frequently turns to Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, for support during her cancer treatment, according to royal experts. Celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary this year, Prince Edward and Sophie have become key figures in the Royal Family. Their modest 1999 wedding reflected their down-to-earth nature. Sophie’s charm and humility have helped her grow into her role without fanfare, earning her the title of the family's 'secret weapon.' She shares a sister-like bond with Kate, offering guidance and support during critical times. Her deep relationships within the family and her unassuming approach have made her one of the most loved members of the royal family; her commitment to her duties and her charitable work highlight her importance, as she balances royal responsibilities with her personal life. Her steadfast support during Kate’s health challenges exemplifies her role as a confidante and friend within the royal circle.
Two Just Stop Oil protesters were arrested after spraying orange paint on Stonehenge, just before the summer solstice celebrations. The incident was widely condemned by political leaders. Rishi Sunak, calling it a 'disgraceful act of vandalism', urged condemnation from anyone associated with the group. Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Ed Davey also criticised the act, calling for strict legal action. Despite the vandalism, the site remains open to the public. Just Stop Oil, which has been demanding a treaty to phase out fossil fuels by 2030, defended the protest as a call to action against the ecological crisis. In another incident, two more protesters were arrested after spraying several planes orange at a private airport: see
90,000 new social homes a year needed
20 Jun 2024Over fifty charities and housing bodies have urged Rishi Sunak, Sir Keir Starmer, and Sir Ed Davey to prioritise ending homelessness by committing to building 90,000 social homes annually. With rough sleeping up 27% as of autumn 2023, these groups also demand housing benefits aligned with rising private rents. Signatories like Shelter and Crisis call for cross-party collaboration and long-term service funding. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn condemned the absence of homelessness in party manifestos, questioning how 250,000 people can be homeless in a wealthy nation. Government data shows over 100,000 households in temporary accommodation, two-thirds being families with children. Liberal Democrat spokesperson Helen Morgan called the situation a national scandal, promising to end rough sleeping, increase social housing, and abolish no-fault evictions.
Home Office unlawfully axed Windrush measures
20 Jun 2024The High Court has ruled that the Home Office unlawfully dropped key recommendations from the Williams Review of the Windrush scandal. The 2020 review made thirty recommendations, all accepted by then-home secretary Priti Patel. However, in January 2023, Suella Braverman dropped three recommendations, including establishing a migrants' commissioner and increasing the powers of an independent chief inspector. Trevor Donald, a Windrush victim, challenged this decision, arguing it was discriminatory. The court agreed, calling the actions 'disproportionately prejudicial' and 'conspicuously unfair.' The Windrush scandal emerged in 2018, revealing that many Commonwealth citizens were wrongly detained or deported despite having the right to live in the UK. Many lost homes, jobs, and access to healthcare. The Home Office, which is now considering the judgement, has already paid £88.6m in compensation to affected individuals. The Government is now being urged to implement the review recommendations fully and ensure accountability.
Jay Slater, 19, from Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire, has gone missing in Tenerife after attempting an 11-hour walk back to his accommodation following a night out. On 17 June he told his friend Lucy he was lost, needed water, and had only 1% phone battery. His phone then cut off. Former Coronation Street actress Vicky Entwistle, a distant relation, urged prayers for his safe return. His mother Debbie has flown to Tenerife to aid the search efforts, joining local authorities and a specialist mountain rescue team. A Facebook group with over 142,000 members has also been set up to assist. The foreign office is supporting the family. Slater's stepfather described him as 'streetwise' but feared he got lost in the dark, while his mother believes he was disoriented by the unfamiliar area. Emergency services, including firefighters and a police helicopter, are involved in the search.
Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah has warned that no place in Israel would be safe if a full-scale war erupts between the two foes, also threatening Cyprus and other Mediterranean regions. Hezbollah has released drone footage of sensitive Israeli military sites; Nasrallah says that it has a ‘bank of targets’ for precision strikes, and Israel must prepare for attacks by land, air, and sea. He also threatened Cyprus, accusing it of aiding Israel with its airports and bases for military exercises. There was no immediate response from Cypriot authorities; Cyprus has historically allowed Israel to use its airspace for drills, but not its land or bases. In another development, Benjamin Netanyahu has dissolved his war cabinet after two of his opponents resigned from it: see