Just a few hours before the US presidential election began, North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles into the sea east of the Korean peninsula. The missiles were fired from a province south of Pyongyang. South Korea confirmed the launch but has not released further details. Kim Jong-un’s sister, Kim Yo-jong, condemned the recent US-South Korea-Japan trilateral air drills involving B-1B bombers, calling them ‘hostile’ and ‘invasive’. She argued that such actions justified the expansion of North Korea’s nuclear programme. This missile test follows a significant launch on 31 October, when North Korea tested what is believed to be a new intercontinental ballistic missile. South Korean officials had earlier warned that North Korea might engage in provocative actions around the US election, raising regional tensions and global concerns.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Howard and Lisa Ray, a North Carolina couple, experienced God’s saving power firsthand amidst unimaginable devastation. When floodwaters from the hurricane overtook their trailer, they used their couch to stay afloat as the water rose nearly thirty feet above normal levels. They drifted 400 yards on their makeshift raft, with Howard reassuring Lisa, ‘If we’re going to drown, we’re going to drown together’. Eventually, Lisa managed to pull herself up on a barbed-wire fence, sustaining cuts in the process, and they took shelter in a nearby garage. They lost everything but incredibly were soon reunited with their dog, Saddi, which had waited at the ruins of their home. Supported by donations from their church, they are pressing forward, convinced that God has a purpose in their survival. The chaplain assisting relief efforts echoed their faith, testifying to God’s guidance and strength in the worst storm damage he had ever seen.
Revival continues in US colleges
01 Nov 2024
A powerful revival movement continues to sweep across US college campuses, led by UniteUS, a group that began at Auburn University. Students gather in stadiums and auditoriums, usually filled with cheering sports fans, to celebrate salvation in Christ. This revival meets students where they are, offering hope to those burdened with guilt, shame, and life struggles. Many young adults arrive with feelings of despair, but they encounter Jesus, who brings transformative joy and purpose. 'I came in ready to end my life and left with the most joy I’ve ever had’, one student said. The impact has spread from one campus to another, with thousands of students attending each event. These gatherings provide a space for healing and openness as they pray for one another and build community. Tonya Prewitt, founder of UniteUS, believes, 'This revival is just beginning. It’s a movement.' Christian student leaders support these events, facilitating prayer, personal testimonies, and baptisms, which reignite faith and change lives.
Budget: NHS, schools, houses, tax rises
01 Nov 2024
The UK’s largest tax increase since 1993 was announced as Rachel Reeves introduced a budget aimed at revitalising healthcare, education, and infrastructure. Taxes will rise by £40 billion, with employer national insurance contributions, capital gains tax, and VAT on private school fees among the primary targets. These funds, coupled with higher borrowing, aim to close a financial gap left by previous administrations, supporting the NHS, affordable housing, and transport projects. Reeves acknowledged the 'difficult decisions' required, defending these increases as essential to 'rebuild Britain' without directly impacting individual income tax, VAT, or national insurance. Critics argue, however, that these tax hikes may still burden working people indirectly. In response to Tory criticisms, Reeves insisted that Labour’s approach will prevent austerity and 'put more pounds in people’s pockets' while providing relief measures for small businesses and the retail, hospitality, and leisure sectors.
Southport attack: murder suspect in court
01 Nov 2024
Axel Rudakubana, 18, appeared in court facing new charges related to a deadly stabbing incident at a Taylor Swift-themed dance workshop in Southport. The charges, stemming from a home search, include producing ricin and possessing an al-Qaeda training manual. Rudakubana has already been charged with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder, for the attack in July when three children were killed and others injured. The magistrate linked the new charges to his previous ones, transferring them to Liverpool Crown Court, where Rudakubana will next appear in November. Despite finding materials linked to terrorism, authorities have not classified the incident as a terrorist attack. Following the attack, false online claims regarding Rudakubana’s background triggered nationwide riots, leading to over 1,500 arrests.
Tommy Robinson jailed for contempt of court
01 Nov 2024
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson was sentenced to 18 months in prison after breaching a court order not to repeat false allegations about Syrian refugee Jamal Hijazi. Robinson, who founded the English Defence League, was initially sued for libel in 2021 and ordered to pay £100,000 to Hijazi after his unfounded accusations severely impacted the teenager and his family, who had relocated to the UK for refuge. The court issued an injunction barring Robinson from continuing these allegations, which he breached by producing a film entitled Silenced and making further comments in interviews. Robinson admitted that this constituted contempt of court. His case has sparked protests from his supporters, who gathered in London demanding his release.
Huge fire erupts at nuclear submarine shipyard
01 Nov 2024
On 30 October a major fire erupted at the BAE Systems shipyard in Barrow, Cumbria, where the UK’s next-generation nuclear submarines are being constructed. Emergency services were called to the facility after the fire broke out around midnight. Local authorities assured residents there was no nuclear risk, but two people were hospitalised with suspected smoke inhalation. The shipyard, with a long history of submarine construction, has faced similar incidents in recent years, including a 2018 fire and a 2017 carbon monoxide leak. Thick smoke from the blaze, visible for miles, has raised concerns among locals, who were asked to avoid the area while emergency services worked to contain the fire.
A petition signed by nearly 60,000 UK citizens has urged Keir Starmer to safeguard the right to silent prayer after recent arrests of pro-life advocates outside abortion clinics. Alliance Defending Freedom UK (ADF UK) initiated the petition, highlighting that 'buffer zones' around clinics, initially meant to prevent demonstrations, have evolved into 'censorship zones' that criminalise silent prayer. Recently, pro-life advocate Adam Smith-Connor was convicted for praying silently within a designated buffer zone and fined nearly £10,000. ADF UK warns that censoring prayer creates a dangerous precedent for restricting thoughts deemed 'offensive’. The petition calls on Starmer to repeal the recent Public Orders Act, which will soon extend buffer zones to all clinics nationwide, punishing violations with prison time and unlimited fines. It argues that free expression, including silent prayer, is essential for a democratic society. See