In the Niger Delta, rampant oil theft continues to threaten local livelihoods and the national economy. Armed groups siphon crude oil from pipelines in the region, often operating with impunity and even security cover. These activities cause environmental devastation, health crises, and economic losses. In 2022, Nigeria lost $23 billion to oil theft, so that it lost its position as Africa's top oil exporter. The authorities are committed to fighting this problem by deploying gunboats, engaging vigilantes, and supporting the navy. Increased oil production, now averaging 1.8 million barrels per day, has been attributed to these efforts. However, poverty and unemployment continue to drive pipeline vandalism. Nigeria's inflation rate, worsened by a devalued naira, remains high, but there is official optimism that rising oil output will stabilise the economy.

Justin Trudeau’s government is facing turmoil following the abrupt resignation of his finance minister, Chrystia Freeland. This was sparked by disagreements with Trudeau on how to handle the threats made by Donald Trump, who has vowed to impose a levy of 25% on imported Canadian goods unless the shared border is made more secure. Freeland accused Trudeau of prioritising ‘costly political gimmicks’ over addressing the economic risks posed by Trump’s policies. Her departure blindsided the government, bringing Trudeau and his shaky minority Liberals to the brink - exacerbated by losing a by-election in British Columbia. There have been calls from opposition leaders but also members of his own party for Trudeau to resign, and his approval rate is now only 28%. With the next federal election due by October 2025, Canada's political landscape appears increasingly uncertain.

In Churchill, Canada, known as the ‘polar bear capital of the world’, residents live with the constant presence of the planet's largest land predator. Safety is a daily concern, with locals advised to be ‘bear aware’ and always ready to fight back if attacked. The town’s proximity to Hudson Bay is crucial to the bears, as the ice forms here first, providing access to seals, their main food source. However, climate change is extending the ice-free season, forcing polar bears to spend more time on land. This has led to a decline in their numbers by nearly half since the 1980s. Despite the long-term challenges, conservation efforts continue, with new technologies being tested to prevent human-polar bear interactions. A longer season during which the bay thaws could mean more ships coming in and out of Churchill, and the mayor is optimistic, but the future for polar bears remains uncertain as climate change intensifies.

The Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic insurgent group, has captured the Myanmar military’s border guard base in northern Rakhine State, marking a significant victory in the country’s civil war. After months of intense fighting, the base, built on a former Rohingya village destroyed during the 2017 crackdown, fell to the AA, leaving the junta humiliated. The AA now controls the entire 270 km border with Bangladesh and much of Rakhine State. The battle was among the bloodiest in the conflict, with over 450 junta soldiers killed. While the AA is setting up its own administration in the region, challenges persist. The area is devastated, with 80% of housing destroyed, widespread displacement, and looming famine exacerbated by a military blockade. The future of the Rohingya population in Rakhine remains uncertain. Though the AA has pledged inclusivity, there are tensions between the Rohingyas and the ethnic Rakhine majority. The AA’s leadership remains quiet on how they will govern amid growing humanitarian concerns.

Phil Cohn, a passionate evangelist and president of Saturate USA, leads an ambitious project to distribute the Jesus Film and salvation pamphlets to every home in America by 2027. This initiative equips local churches with free resources, enabling members to engage neighbourhoods through door-to-door outreach or door-handle delivery. With an aim to reach 120 million households, Saturate USA has already covered 38.4 million homes across all 50 states. Phil has felt compelled to share the gospel globally since the age of 19. His vision expanded to using the Jesus Film, which has sparked revival worldwide, including starting over a million churches. From Muslim families in America to residents under Taliban rule, countless lives have been transformed. Despite challenges, Phil continues to trust God for miracles, passionately focused on saturating America with the message of Christ. His vision reflects his unwavering belief in God’s power to save.

Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) has won a significant legal victory, securing a permanent statewide injunction allowing Good News clubs to operate in all public school districts across Hawaii. These weekly gatherings teach children aged 5-12 about the Bible, memory verses, and praise songs, while also fostering fellowship and fun. Represented by Liberty Counsel, CEF filed a lawsuit against Hawaii education officials after several school districts blocked the clubs from using public school facilities, while permitting secular groups access. The courts ruled that such actions violated the first and 14th amendments of the US constitution, ensuring religious organizations have equal access to public spaces. Fred Pry of CEF welcomed the ruling as a triumph for religious freedom and free speech. Liberty Counsel continues to defend Christian clubs in other states, with plans to challenge similar restrictions in California. This victory highlights the enduring importance of protecting constitutional rights for faith-based organizations in public settings.

The murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif has ignited calls for stronger safeguards for children, particularly those being home-schooled. Sara’s father and stepmother, convicted of her murder, had subjected her to two years of horrific abuse, prompting scrutiny of existing child protection measures. The government plans to introduce a Children's Wellbeing Bill, proposing safeguards like mandatory local authority consent for home-schooling children under protection plans, a child identifier system, and multi-agency safeguarding teams. Surrey County Council, which had been alerted to Sara’s welfare concerns before her death, is launching an independent review of its actions. Critics argue that current laws allowing at-risk children to be removed from school are inadequate. Keir Starmer emphasised the need for answers and better safeguards to prevent such tragedies. Proposals also include establishing a register for home-educated children and improving data-sharing between services to identify risks more effectively.

Small British businesses are halting shipments to Northern Ireland and the EU due to new EU customs rules and product safety regulations. These regulations require complex compliance steps, including detailed paperwork, batch numbering, and the designation of an EU or Northern Ireland-based 'authorised representative’. Many small firms, lacking resources to navigate these requirements, have chosen to cease trade rather than risk penalties. Entrepreneurs are expressing frustration over the lack of timely government communication and support. Business owners learned about the changes through social media rather than official channels, exacerbating the challenge during the busy Christmas season. While the Government claims to prioritise small businesses, the lack of tailored guidance leaves many struggling. Small businesses fear these changes favour larger corporations, potentially widening economic disparities.

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has affirmed the Government’s ambition to build 1.5 million homes over five years, a scale unseen since World War 2. This requires constructing 370,000 homes annually, a significant increase from the 220,000 built last year. Despite this bold target, Rayner refrains from committing to a specific number of social housing units, emphasising site-dependent affordability and viability. The plan prioritises 'brownfield first’, encouraging redevelopment of previously used land. Councils must outline housing targets within twelve weeks, reassess green belt boundaries, and identify suitable 'grey belt' areas. Developers using green belt land must adhere to strict 'golden rules,' ensuring infrastructure like nurseries, healthcare facilities, and transport alongside affordable housing. With 1.3 million households on social housing waiting lists and record homelessness, the housing crisis is critical. To accelerate progress, the government has allocated £100 million and 300 new planning officers to streamline decision-making. The plan aims to balance local input, housing demand, and economic growth while addressing infrastructure needs.

The NHS is grappling with a 'tidal wave' of flu cases, with hospital admissions rising by 70% in a week, contributing to severe pressure on emergency services. In one week, hospitals in England averaged 1,861 flu patients daily, including 66 in critical care - up from 1,099 and 39 in the previous week. Combined with increasing cases of Covid, RSV, and norovirus, this 'quad-demic' is straining A&E departments and ambulance services. Sir Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, urged eligible individuals to get vaccinated to prevent severe illness and alleviate pressure on the healthcare system. Of the 30 million eligible for NHS flu jabs, so far only half have come forward. With 95% of hospital beds occupied and lengthy waits for emergency care, NHS leaders are prioritising treating the sickest patients over meeting waiting time targets. This winter is expected to be one of the most challenging yet for the NHS, despite efforts to manage rising demand. See