Zimbabwe: ban on street vendors and second-hand clothes
The government has ordered the immediate removal of street vendors from Harare’s central business district and reaffirmed a national ban on the import and sale of second-hand clothes. Local government minister Daniel Garwe cited concerns over urban disorder, the rise in illicit nighttime activities, and the negative impact on formal businesses. However, opposition politicians believe street vending stems from desperation, not defiance: they argue that many citizens rely on informal trade for survival amid chronic unemployment and economic mismanagement. One has said that such policies, without viable alternatives, only deepen suffering. Instead of punitive measures, she has called for inclusive economic reform, skills development, and gradual integration of informal traders into formal markets. Previous crackdowns failed because they didn’t address the underlying causes of poverty.
Peru: president issues amnesty for hundreds accused of atrocities
President Dina Boluarte has signed a contentious law pardoning soldiers, police, and civilian militias accused or convicted of atrocities during Peru’s 1980–2000 armed conflict against Maoist rebel groups Shining Path and Tupac Amaru. The measure, despite an order from the Inter-American Court of Human Rights to suspend it, will release those over 70 and halt or overturn more than 600 trials and 156 convictions. Peru’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission estimates that there were 70,000 deaths and 20,000 disappearances during the conflict, with state forces responsible for significant abuses, including 83% of documented sexual violence cases. Human rights organisations and UN experts have condemned the law as a betrayal of victims and a blow to decades of accountability efforts. Critics warn it undermines justice for survivors of massacres, torture, and enforced disappearances, while supporters describe it as honouring those who fought insurgency. The law deepens debate over justice, reconciliation, and impunity in Peru’s fragile democracy.
USA: church’s Ramen shop gives love of Jesus in a bowl
In a quiet corner of Sequim, Washington State, a church-run Ramen shop is offering more than food—it’s serving love, dignity, and the presence of Jesus. Designed as a 'pay-what-you-can' eatery, the space hums with peace and welcome. Visitors from all walks of life - students, elderly neighbours, the homeless - gather to enjoy nourishing meals in an atmosphere of grace. Each guest chooses their own broth, toppings, grains and greens, reclaiming choice where it’s often lost. Behind the counter, a pastor-chef and volunteers serve up bowls of care and compassion, sustained by generous patrons who 'pay it forward’. It’s an economy of grace, where no one is turned away, and everyone is treated with honour. The building itself feels soaked in prayer, a sanctuary where the love of Jesus is tangible. The Ramen Shop isn’t just feeding stomachs; it’s restoring souls - offering sanctuary, table fellowship, and the quiet declaration: you belong.
Filmmakers set out to prove that the impossible still happens
In their new documentary Show Me Your Glory, Eric and Kameron Swithin explore whether God still performs miracles today. Their journey began with Eric’s questions about the absence of biblical-style healings in church life. His curiosity grew into personal experience as he witnessed and participated in prayers that brought visible healing and change. The film captures this tension: why some prayers are answered with power while others appear to go unanswered. While filming, they saw both divine healing and God’s provision through medical means. One colleague had an aggressive brain tumour successfully removed during production. Another moment of awe came during an outdoor shoot when a storm visibly parted on the weather radar as they prayed, passing around their set like the Red Sea. The film shares eight real-life testimonies, alongside a book detailing sixteen miraculous stories. Among them is Sarah, once addicted and near death, now fully restored. Kameron reflects, 'God showed me that with Him all things are possible’. Their story is a powerful reminder that the God of miracles is still at work today.
