Displaying items by tag: Gen Z

Madagascar is facing mounting unrest as protests continue despite president Andry Rajoelina’s decision to dissolve the government. The move, announced on state television, was intended to ease tensions following demonstrations over widespread water and power shortages. Rajoelina expressed sympathy to families of those killed and acknowledged administrative failings, yet protesters remain unsatisfied, demanding his resignation. Many argue that changing ministers is not enough, since the president himself holds ultimate responsibility. The demonstrations, largely led by Gen Z, represent one of the most serious challenges to Rajoelina’s leadership since his 2023 re-election. Authorities have responded with curfews in Antananarivo and other major cities, and police have repeatedly used teargas and fired rubber bullets at demonstrators. The UN has said that at least 22 have been killed and over 100 injured, though the government disputes these figures.

New prime minister Sushila Karki, a former chief justice known for her uncompromising stance against corruption, faces an immense challenge just weeks after taking office. Chosen after huge protests which toppled her predecessor KP Sharma Oli, she has six months to deliver elections and satisfy demands from Nepal’s energised Gen Z movement. Protesters are urging her to arrest senior leaders accused of graft, purge politically connected bureaucrats, and investigate the 74 protest-related deaths. Their support remains conditional, with leaders such as Sudan Gurung warning they will oust her if progress stalls. Karki has pledged an anti-corruption committee and a panel to examine the violence. Yet entrenched party power - especially Oli’s influence as head of the Communist Party - poses obstacles. With youth unemployment above 20% and decades of political instability, Nepal stands at a pivotal moment reminiscent of the 2008 Maoist uprising. Karki must balance swift action and careful diplomacy to prevent renewed turmoil, while proving that democratic reform is possible.

Across the USA, a historic spiritual shift is unfolding as Millennials and Gen Z turn to faith in record numbers. At the premiere of CBN’s new film The Revival Generation, one commentator compared it to the Jesus Movement of the 1970s, describing it as 'seismic’. Former presidential candidate Dr Ben Carson says cultural conditions are ripe for revival, noting that past awakenings often followed crises. He sees growing openness among young people weary of empty alternatives and hungry for truth. The American Bible Society reports a 29% rise in Bible use among Millennials from 2024 to 2025, with Gen Z engagement increasing from 11% to 15%. Congressman Marlin Stutzman says this generation is searching beyond the flood of online information, longing for stability that only truth provides. From college campuses to local communities, many discern God stirring a new movement of faith, bringing hope to a generation eager for transformation.

Nepal has been rocked by its most intense unrest in decades, with corruption and nepotism at the heart of nationwide protests. The turmoil escalated dramatically after the government’s controversial ban on social media platforms triggered widespread anger, amplified by resentment over politicians’ wealth and privileges. Though Gen Z activists initially led peaceful demonstrations, they turned violent, leaving at least 29 people dead and parliament, government buildings, and private homes torched. The protesters insist that infiltrators hijacked their movement, a claim supported by the army. While regretting the violence, some are cautiously optimistic that the movement might spark reforms. The army has deployed across Kathmandu, enforcing curfews, manning checkpoints, and inviting protest leaders to talks, while some young people began cleaning debris to show their hope for change. Whether the movement will lead to accountability and new leadership, or simply further instability, remains to be seen.

New research suggests a 'quiet revival' may be underway in the UK, with church attendance rising significantly - particularly among Generation Z. A study commissioned by the Bible Society found that 12% of UK adults now attend church at least once a month, up from 8% in 2018. The biggest increase was among 18- to 24-year-old men, rising from 4% to over 20%, with similar growth seen among young women. One-third of Gen Z non-attenders said they would go to church if invited by a friend. The report also highlights increasing diversity within UK churches, with ethnic minorities now accounting for one in five regular attenders. Churchgoers were also found to report higher life satisfaction, lower anxiety, and stronger community engagement. Paul Williams, CEO of the Bible Society, said the findings challenge the narrative of church decline, revealing instead that the Church in England and Wales is growing and offering real hope. Pentecostal and Roman Catholic congregations showed especially strong growth during the study period.