The dramatic airstrike by Israel on Hamas leaders in Qatar on 9 October marks a new twist in a war already destabilising the wider Middle East. Qatar, long considered Hamas’ political base and a central mediator in ceasefire negotiations, condemned the attack as a flagrant breach of international law, while regional powers including the UAE and Saudi Arabia denounced it as an assault on sovereignty. The strike targeted Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’ exiled Gaza chief and top negotiator, but reports indicate he and others survived. Coming just a day after Hamas’ armed wing killed six people in Jerusalem, the move risks collapsing fragile ceasefire talks. In Gaza City, Israeli evacuation orders have spread panic among civilians, many already displaced and trapped in worsening conditions. This year Israel has struck Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, and Iranian-linked targets in Syria and Iran, heightening fears of a regional war.

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.

The Philippines once again finds itself grappling with the enduring scourge of corruption, an issue that has haunted the last three presidents: Ferdinand Marcos Sr, Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino III, and now Ferdinand Marcos Jr. He is now trying to assume the mantle of anti-corruption reform, despite his own family name being historically associated with cronyism and ill-gotten wealth. Unlike Aquino, who launched his integrity drive at the height of his popularity, Marcos Jr faces diminishing political capital, factional rifts within congress, and a resurgent Duterte camp weaponising public anger. The stakes are high: scandals such as the multibillion-peso flood control controversy threaten to erode governance credibility at a time when systemic accountability is urgently needed. The president must move beyond rhetoric, pursuing transparency and reform even within his own circles. Without decisive action, the Philippines risks sliding into deeper political instability, echoing past failures to tackle entrenched corruption and injustice.

The International Criminal Court has opened its first-ever in absentia hearing against fugitive Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony, accused of 39 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. As head of the Lord’s Resistance Army, he terrorised northern Uganda for decades before his forces expanded attacks into Congo, the Central African Republic, and South Sudan. The LRA became infamous for abducting children, mutilating civilians, and enslaving women. Survivors and advocates in Uganda have welcomed the proceedings, even though Kony remains at large. Some stress the trial’s importance for victims who lost lives, limbs, and livelihoods; others, though frustrated at the delay, acknowledge the symbolic value for healing and justice. The court-appointed counsel for Kony, however, argued that his fair trial rights are being violated. Though justice remains incomplete without his capture, the hearing underscores the ICC’s willingness to pursue accountability in complex cases.

Argentina’s political and financial turbulence deepened after Javier Milei’s party suffered a heavy defeat to the Peronist opposition in key local elections. The peso tumbled to a historic low, sliding nearly 5 percent against the US dollar, while stocks and international bonds plunged sharply, sparking concerns over Argentina’s economic stability. Milei’s reform agenda, once hailed as a potential turning point, now faces major obstacles as midterm elections loom on 26 October. Markets fear the government may burn through reserves to defend the peso, undermining its IMF-backed programme and raising the risk of default. The Peronists’ wider-than-expected 13-point victory in Buenos Aires province highlighted Milei’s growing political challenges.  These are compounded by corruption allegations involving his sister. Investor confidence, already shaken, has deteriorated further, with bonds and equities suffering their steepest losses since Argentina’s 2020 restructuring.

On 10 September, at Utah Valley University, conservative activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead while speaking at a Turning Point USA event. He was speaking to a crowd as part of his ‘American Comeback Tour’ when a single shot struck him in the neck, with eyewitnesses saying the bullet came from a rooftop position. A manhunt is ongoing; authorities have recovered a high-powered rifle from nearby woods, released images of a ‘person of interest’, and offered a reward for tips. Remarks from public officials, including Utah’s governor, have characterised the incident as a political assassination. President Trump said that rhetoric from the ‘radical left’ had contributed to the shooting. He promised to find those responsible for political violence, as well as the ‘organisations that fund it and support it’. He has ordered flags to be hung at half-mast in his memory. The authorities are doing everything they can to find the shooter, but so far without success.

Researchers agree that the centre of the Evangelical movement has decisively shifted from the West to the Global South. At a recent webinar, Dr Gina Zurlo of the World Christian Database and Jason Mandryk of Operation World highlighted the challenge of defining and counting Evangelicals. Unlike Catholicism or Orthodoxy, evangelicalism lacks a single definition, with estimates ranging from 393 million to 937 million worldwide. Both researchers confirm that Evangelicalism is now predominantly African, Asian, and Latin American. In fact, China has surpassed the United States in Evangelical numbers. While Western media often reduce the term to political stereotypes, globally Evangelicals are Zulu, Brazilian, Filipino, and Chinese - reflecting remarkable diversity. Scholars emphasise that this growing diversity is a strength, not a weakness; they are calling for humility as the worldwide Church celebrates its multiethnic identity in Christ.

At London’s ExCeL Arena, 40,000 believers joined Pastor Jerry Eze’s New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declarations conference, the UK’s largest Christian gathering this year. The six-hour event was marked by fervent worship, bold declarations, and testimonies of God’s power. Ministers stirred the crowd with faith-filled proclamations, urging worshippers to believe that walls of opposition had fallen and breakthroughs were imminent. Attendees testified of God’s intervention: a woman finally received her UK visa after years of denials; a nurse cleared of false accusations unexpectedly found a husband after decades of waiting. Worship leader Dunsin Oyekan led participants to lift prayer requests - contracts, photos, and lists of 'new beginnings' - as symbols of faith. The highlight came as miraculous healings unfolded: wheelchair users walked, crutches were discarded, and stroke survivors stood unaided, tumours dissolved, and sight and mobility were restored. Amid rejoicing, Pastor Eze declared: 'What God cannot do does not exist’. The event concluded with thousands of voices shouting 'Amen' to his promise that next year’s greatest testimonies had already begun.

A pioneering UK charity, Greater Change, is transforming lives by giving direct financial support to people facing homelessness. When single mother Laura Burns was threatened with eviction due to debts and moving costs, she received £600 almost instantly, enabling her to secure a new home. Today, she has a job, a fiancé, and renewed hope. Greater Change’s approach is simple yet radical: provide people with dignity and choice, allowing them to use funds for deposits, bills, or debts. Since January, the charity has distributed £699,000 to 403 people, with 86% moving into stable housing and almost half gaining employment. Critics fear misuse of funds, but international studies show that recipients rarely spend on harmful addictions. Instead, they invest in rebuilding their lives. Partnering with councils, philanthropists, and grant bodies, Greater Change saves taxpayers thousands per client by preventing homelessness before it becomes entrenched. For many, even modest grants are life-changing interventions at the right moment, offering stability, opportunity, and hope.

From 6 to 14 September, Christians unite in the National Week of Prayer (NWoP) under the call 'Gather, remember, return'. Inspired by Zechariah 1:3, the vision is to humble ourselves, repent, and seek God’s presence for national transformation. Over 115 prayer gatherings are already confirmed - from Bristol to Blackpool, Jersey to the Isle of Man - with more registrations daily. Activities range from inter-church meetings and workplace prayer groups to early morning breakfasts and online sessions. Ministries and networks are laying aside busy agendas to come together in worship, thanksgiving, and intercession, celebrating the good things God has done and continues to do in the nation. Organisers see NWoP as part of a growing spiritual awakening and an answer to Jesus’ prayer for unity in John 17:21. Believers are encouraged to join existing events or start their own, making prayer a visible wave of oneness rising across the UK and beyond. See (https://worldprayer.org.uk/events/nwop-revival-prayer-hour/)  Also see (https://www.24-7prayer.com/weekofprayer/)