Jesse shared her testimony of connecting with her neighbours through prayer amidst cultural challenges. Coming from a Sikh background, she has had to navigate her Christian faith amidst family tensions and generational differences. In 2020, during lockdown, one neighbour struggled as her daughter received end-of-life care abroad. Jesse offered support and prayer, which comforted her neighbour and led her to engage with a church community online. Another neighbour faced the potential loss of her husband. Through Jesse’s offer to pray, she found hope and belief in that difficult time. These acts of compassion opened opportunities for deeper conversations. Her conversion story began at the age of 11. She had a picture of Jesus. She was sitting on His knee and he wrote her name in his book. She said, 'Later, in my early 20s, I had another picture where I was stuck in a very deep well and he reached down and offered me his hand, but I had to choose whether I would. I'm glad I accepted his help - that was a turning point in my life.’

Polling stations have opened in England for local elections, with the Conservative Party facing potential heavy losses that might impact Rishi Sunak's leadership. These elections, spanning over 2,600 seats across 107 councils, serve as a significant gauge of the Tories' popularity (or otherwise). Labour leader Keir Starmer, calling them ‘a chance for change after fourteen years of decline’, has highlighted policies which prioritise working people and restore integrity in politics. Previously contested in 2021, these council seats saw the Conservatives at their strongest post-UK Covid vaccine rollout. Current predictions suggest they might lose around 500 seats. There are also contests for ten mayoralties and 37 police and crime commissioner roles, and a parliamentary by-election in Blackpool South following a Tory MP's resignation due to a scandal. Labour hopes to make significant gains, particularly in tightly contested mayoral races in the West Midlands and Tees Valley. The outcome of these elections could trigger a leadership challenge for Sunak if the results are as bad as predicted.

Pro-Palestinian activists at several British universities have started to set up Gaza 'solidarity encampments' in response to similar movements on US campuses. This follows recent confrontations at American universities like Columbia and UCLA, where police clashed with demonstrators (see World article ‘USA: hundreds of campus protesters arrested’). In Newcastle, a group initiated an encampment at the university's main campus to protest against alleged Israeli military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Bristol students also established a camp on their campus, displaying signs with pro-Palestinian messages. Universities UK commented on the situation, stating that universities strive to balance student safety and free speech. They are monitoring developments closely and discussing them with university leaders. Meanwhile, protests in London led to three arrests as demonstrators outside the Department of Business and Trade called for a halt to arms sales to Israel.

John Swinney has officially launched his bid to succeed Humza Yousaf, who stepped down on 29 April. Swinney, a former cabinet secretary who served as party leader from 2000 to 2004, says he is aiming to 'unite Scotland for independence’. He will probably be unopposed, now that Kate Forbes, the only other likely candidate, has indicated that she does not intend to stand and has officially endorsed him. Nominations close on 6 May; if nobody else comes forward, Swinney will automatically assume party leadership and become first minister. His campaign resonates with commitments to continue SNP’s work and strengthen the independence movement: see

A 14-year-old boy, Daniel Anjorin, was fatally attacked with a sword in Hainault, northeast London, as he was on his way to school. The attacker also injured four others, including two Met Police officers. Marcus Monzo, a 36-year-old Spanish-Brazilian, has been charged with murder, attempted murder, grievous bodily harm, aggravated burglary, and possessing a bladed weapon. He crashed a van into a fence and attacked two civilians with his sword before fatally injuring Daniel and seriously wounding two police officers, one of whom nearly lost her hand. He was later taken to the hospital for injuries sustained in the van crash, and is set to appear at Barkingside magistrates' court. Daniel was a student at Bancroft's School. His family, who are Christians, described him as a 'wonderful child' and expressed profound grief over their loss. The Crown Prosecution Service emphasised the importance of a fair trial, urging restraint in public commentary to avoid prejudicing the proceedings.

Recent studies have demonstrated that vitamin D, a nutrient found in fatty fish, plays a significant role in cancer prevention and treatment. Research found that mice on a vitamin D-rich diet had enhanced immune responses to transplanted cancers and better outcomes from immunotherapy. Vitamin D initiates a process in the gut that leads to the production of bacteria known to boost immune defence against cancer. This is because vitamin D affects the cells lining the intestine, altering the gut microbiome in a way that promotes the growth of these beneficial bacteria. The findings suggest potential new cancer treatments could be developed focusing on the gut microbiome. However, more research is needed to understand the precise mechanisms by which vitamin D influences the microbiome and immunity. The study also connects lower vitamin D levels with higher cancer rates, underlining the importance of maintaining adequate levels for overall health.

The FDA union, representing senior civil servants, has initiated a legal challenge against the new law related to the Rwanda deportation plan. This law allows ministers to bypass the European Court of Human Rights, potentially placing civil servants in legal jeopardy by forcing them to arrange deportation flights that could contravene international law. The Government insists that the actions taken under this law are compliant with the Civil Service Code. However, union members, concerned about the ethical and legal conflicts this might cause, are seeking a High Court ruling to clarify their obligations. The Rwanda plan is part of Rishi Sunak's strategy to deter migrants from crossing the English Channel. It has been criticised for possibly exposing migrants to harm, and has sparked nationwide operations to detain individuals for deportation to Rwanda. The union's case, demanding clarity on the legality of their required actions, underscores the profound discomfort among many civil servants.

US officials have accused Russia of using chemical weapons in Ukraine, violating international laws. They claim that the choking agent chloropicrin was used to make ‘battlefield gains’. The Kremlin has yet to respond but has denied similar allegations previously. Although in 2017 Russia said it had destroyed all of its Cold War-era stockpile in 2017, it faces accusations of incomplete declarations and subsequent chemical attacks, including the Salisbury attack and Navalny poisoning. Reports suggest Russian forces deployed tear gas grenades, resulting in Ukrainian casualties. Joe Biden has warned of severe consequences if the accusations are proved, and the USA has sanctioned Russian state bodies and firms allegedly linked to biological and chemical weapons programmes. Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch has called for a war crimes investigation, alleging Russian forces executed over a dozen surrendering Ukrainian troops a few months ago.