Jean-Marie Le Pen, founder of France’s far-right National Front (FN), has died at 96, leaving behind a divisive legacy. Known for incendiary rhetoric, he propelled anti-immigration nationalism into mainstream French politics. His controversies included dismissing Nazi gas chambers as a ‘detail’ of history and multiple convictions for inciting racial hatred. Although he never held major office, his influence reshaped French political discourse, making immigration central to national debates. His death comes as his daughter, Marine Le Pen, builds momentum toward possibly becoming France’s next president. Since expelling her father from the party in 2015, she has worked to rebrand FN (now the National Rally) by moderating policies and rhetoric. Abandoning her father’s hardline stances on the EU and social issues, she has appealed to a broader electorate. While her tone is subtler, critics argue her nationalism echoes his. Recent polls suggest she would easily win a presidential election if it was held now - a sign of her continued ascent in French politics.
Opposition leader Edmundo Gonzalez has reported the kidnapping of his son-in-law, Rafael Tudares, by hooded men in Caracas. He was intercepted while taking his children to school and remains missing. In the July 2024 presidential election, despite pre-election polls favoring Gonzalez, Venezuela’s electoral authority declared Maduro the winner without releasing detailed vote tallies, which fuelled protests across the country. In the crackdown that followed, 23 people were killed and 2,000 detained. Though many detainees have since been released, accusations of human rights abuses, including torture and arbitrary arrests, persist. Gonzalez, exiled in Spain and facing Venezuelan charges of conspiracy and document falsification, continues to challenge Maduro’s legitimacy. The international community remains divided on how to respond: one key question is what Donald Trump’s attitude will be. See
Los Angeles: devastating wildfires
09 Jan 2025
Wildfires ravaging Los Angeles have reached the Hollywood Hills, forcing over 100,000 people to evacuate. Six different fires, fuelled by dry hurricane-force winds, have killed at least five people, burned thousands of acres, and destroyed hundreds of homes. The Sunset fire in Hollywood Hills, while relatively small at fifty acres, has disrupted the entertainment industry, threatening iconic landmarks like Sunset Boulevard. On the west side, the Palisades fire has consumed over 15,000 acres and devastated neighbourhoods. To the east, the Eaton fire has scorched over 10,000 acres and destroyed 1,000 structures. Economic losses to date are estimated at $50 billion. Firefighters are stretched thin; they have been reinforced by teams from other areas, and even by prison inmates. See
Tibet: devastating earthquake
09 Jan 2025
A devastating 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck Tibet on 6 January, claiming at least 126 lives and injuring 188, according to Chinese state media. Centred near the Nepalese border, the quake caused widespread destruction across remote Himalayan villages, damaging over 3,600 homes. Tremors were felt in Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of northern India. Rescue operations are under way, with over 400 individuals freed from rubble and 30,000 residents relocated. The harsh terrain and winter weather add challenges to the efforts. The quake caused significant damage in nearby Shigatse, a holy Tibetan city. Emergency aid, including tents and warm clothing, has been dispatched to support affected communities, where temperatures are expected to plummet below freezing. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has called on officials to make all-out efforts to search for and rescue survivors and provide for displaced residents, while the Dalai Lama extended condolences and prayers for victims. Rescuers continue to search for survivors in difficult conditions.
Violence has gripped Mozambique following disputed elections on 9 October; the situation worsened after Daniel Chapo was officially declared president on 23 December. Adding to the feeling of insecurity, on Christmas Day over 1,500 prisoners escaped from a maximum-security prison in Maputo. Violence, deaths, and looting have driven thousands to flee to Malawi and Eswatini, straining resources when those countries are already grappling with drought and poverty - and the aftermath of Cyclone Chido, which devastated the region. In northern Mozambique, ongoing attacks in Cabo Delgado since 2017 have already displaced hundreds of thousands. Refugees face dire conditions in overcrowded shelters, with inadequate food, water, and sanitation, raising the risk of disease. Christian organisations are mediating peace efforts and engaging in prayer: Tearfund has joined their call for dialogue and reconciliation, urging Christians worldwide to pray for peace in Mozambique and relief for the displaced.
Canada: Trudeau resigns as PM
09 Jan 2025
Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation as prime minister after nearly a decade in office, citing internal party disputes and his inability to remain the ‘best option’ for the next election. His decision follows the abrupt resignation in December of his deputy prime minister, who opposed his handling of Donald Trump’s proposed trade tariffs. Trudeau, once celebrated as a poster-boy for liberal politics, saw his popularity erode due to scandals, housing inflation, and divisive immigration policies. Notable achievements during his tenure include legalising recreational cannabis, passing assisted dying laws, and renegotiating the trade agreement with the USA. However, a blackface scandal in 2019 damaged his image, and subsequent elections saw his government reduced to a minority. Most recently, Trudeau admitted missteps in immigration targets and faced criticism for his permissive euthanasia policies. His declining approval proved insurmountable, marking a dramatic end to his political journey.
Scotland: Bible translator honoured with MBE
02 Jan 2025
Aberdeenshire solicitor Gordon M Hay has been awarded an MBE for his pioneering translation of the entire Bible into Doric, a variant of the Scots language. Spanning 17 years, his work includes the New Testament, published in 2012, and the Old Testament, completed in 2022. This milestone marks the first time the entire Bible has been translated into any Scots dialect. Hay’s translation journey began in 2006 when he was asked to translate passages for the Buchan Heritage Society's annual Doric service. Encouraged by the positive reception, he embarked on the monumental task of translating both Testaments, producing over 800,000 words. His contributions have garnered recognition from the Scottish Parliament and royal circles, with invitations to read at Crathie Kirk by the now King Charles III. A dedicated Church of Scotland elder for 30 years, Hay also translates literary classics, writes Doric nursery rhymes, and plays the organ. He remains an active cultural ambassador for the Doric language.
Canadian singer-songwriter Grimes, known for her experimental music and as the former partner of Elon Musk, has recently shared about her experience of Christianity. In a candid post on X, she revealed that her exploration of faith is motivated by a desire to quit vaping, describing this turn as 'monumentally embarrassing.' Grimes admitted that she had never previously considered religion but now finds aspects of Christianity resonating with her, especially in confronting destructive habits. She shared a passage from CS Lewis' 'Mere Christianity’, highlighting the transformative power of choices in aligning oneself with God. This introspection has led her into a 'philosophical tailspin’, prompting deeper contemplation of spiritual matters. Grimes and Musk share three children: X Æ A-12, Exa Dark Sideræl, and Techno Mechanicus, known as Tau. Their names reflect the couple's affinity for technology and art.