Ukraine: the Gospel is ‘unstoppable’
Evangelist David Karcha has said that even in the midst of war, Ukraine is seeing a profound spiritual awakening. He has described how churches have become sanctuaries of hope, drawing countless people to Christ. When Russia invaded in 2022, Ukrainian evangelicals chose not to flee but to remain, share in the suffering, and witness through faith. Karcha declared that while the Gospel is powerful in peace, it becomes ‘unstoppable’ in war. Across the country, churches are seeing thousands profess faith and be baptised, driven by deep spiritual hunger. Their acts of faith have created a unified movement no war can halt. Evangelicals minister on the frontlines, in hospitals, to widows, orphans, and the broken. The church serves not only physical needs but also hearts seeking hope. Thanking European churches for their love and support, Karcha says, ‘We listen. We pray. We help. Then, when we see how we can help and what can be gone, we speak Jesus.’
Singer’s wife ‘instantly healed’ after receiving prayer
Pop and hip-hop artist Bodie has shared a powerful testimony of divine healing, describing how God restored his wife Royale Kuljian’s hearing after doctors had deemed it irreparable. Her eardrum had been completely destroyed, with doctors preparing for reconstructive surgery. But after attending church and receiving prayer, she experienced immediate healing. ‘This girl at church was praying over me by my bad ear, and suddenly I could hear her’, Royale recalled. Doctors had previously found no eardrum at all, but post-healing examinations now show her hearing is ‘perfectly normal.’ Medical professionals remain baffled, but Bodie and Royale are calling it what they believe it is - a miracle. Bodie described the event as a ‘tangible’ and ‘pretty cool’ sign of God’s faithfulness, saying it has been deeply meaningful to watch Him continually give him fresh vision in both life and career.
Reeves announces £15bn for transport projects
Rachel Reeves has unveiled £15.6 billion in transport investment across England’s regions, marking a major shift in infrastructure funding and regional priorities. Targeting areas long considered underfunded, the funding will support tram, train, and bus developments in the Midlands, the North, and the West Country. Greater Manchester and the West Midlands will receive over £2 billion each for tram expansions, while £2.1 billion will launch the West Yorkshire Mass Transit system. There are also major sums for Liverpool, the North East, the East Midlands, Tees Valley, and South Yorkshire. This investment marks Reeves' first open move away from the stringent rules in the Treasury’s traditional Green Book rules, which have long favoured London. Though some projects were originally introduced under the Conservatives, Labour has reviewed and restructured them. While regional leaders praised the announcements, critics called for tangible results rather than mere promises.
More pensioners to get winter fuel payments this year
Rachel Reeves has announced that more pensioners will qualify for winter fuel payments this year, following the backlash over Labour’s 2024 decision to cut the benefit for most retirees. While she confirmed the means-test threshold will rise, she did not specify by how much, and at Prime Minister’s Questions, Keir Starmer also failed to clarify how many of the ten million affected pensioners will regain eligibility. Labour’s original decision to means-test the payment reduced eligibility from 11.4 million to just 1.5 million, limiting it to pensioners receiving benefits like Pension Credit. The move, intended to save £1.5 billion annually, was part of an effort to address what Labour calls a £22 billion fiscal gap left by the previous government. Critics, including Kemi Badenoch, accused Labour of lacking preparation and transparency. Reeves insisted the government remains committed to easing winter costs for vulnerable seniors but acknowledged that specifics are still being finalised.
