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.

The House of Commons has passed a motion to explore the potential for rail nationalisation, a significant victory for advocates of public ownership. It calls for reforms to address issues in the UK's rail system, including rising fares, delays, and poor service quality. Proponents argue that nationalising the railways would provide more accountability, better service, and fairer pricing for passengers. The move follows growing public frustration over the state of the rail network, which many believe has suffered under private management. Supporters also highlight that a publicly owned system could reinvest profits into improving infrastructure and services rather than prioritising shareholder dividends. However, critics of nationalisation warn that it could lead to increased government spending and inefficiencies. The Government's response has been cautious, with officials acknowledging the problems in the current system but expressing concerns about fully reversing privatisation. The Commons victory marks the first step in what could be a long debate over the future of the UK's railways.

The Government has introduced plans to remove hereditary peers from the House of Lords, a significant move towards reforming the British upper chamber. Hereditary peers, whose titles are passed down through family lines, have long been seen as an outdated feature of the UK’s political system. The plan, spearheaded by ministers, aims to gradually phase out these unelected members, promoting a more democratic and merit-based process for appointments. Proponents of the reform argue that the House of Lords should reflect modern society and uphold principles of equality, where positions are earned rather than inherited. Critics of hereditary peerages see them as a vestige of privilege that no longer aligns with contemporary governance. However, some traditionalists express concerns that removing hereditary peers could lead to further political interference in the House of Lords. The reform is part of a broader effort to modernise UK politics, with the goal of making the upper chamber more accountable, transparent, and representative of the people it serves.