Prayer Hub

PhD student guilty of raping ten women 'had fifty more victims'

06 Mar 2025

Zhenhao Zou, a PhD engineering student at University College London, has been convicted of drugging and raping ten women. Authorities fear he may have attacked up to fifty more victims in the UK and China. Zou filmed his crimes, storing over 1,600 hours of footage from hidden cameras and his mobile phone. The evidence was so disturbing that prosecutors secured eleven rape convictions, despite only two victims coming forward. His crimes spanned from 2019 to 2023, targeting women in London and his home country. Police are appealing for more victims to come forward, describing Zou as one of the most prolific sex offenders in British history. Zou’s depravity included drugging women with GHB, imprisoning them, and forcing them into terrifying ordeals. His trial left jury members in tears as they watched harrowing footage. He now faces sentencing for multiple counts of rape, voyeurism, and false imprisonment. Authorities urge anyone with information to contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Aspirin might stop cancers from spreading

06 Mar 2025

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have discovered how aspirin may help prevent cancer from spreading. Their research suggests that the drug enhances the immune system’s ability to fight cancer by stopping platelets from suppressing T-cells, the body’s natural defence against cancer. When cancer cells break away from a tumour, they try to spread elsewhere in the body - a process called metastasis, which causes most cancer deaths. Normally, T-cells can destroy these wandering cancer cells. However, platelets, which help stop bleeding, interfere with T-cell activity, allowing cancer to spread. Aspirin appears to disrupt this process, restoring the immune system’s ability to attack cancer. While these findings are promising, scientists caution against self-medicating with aspirin, as it carries risks such as internal bleeding. Clinical trials are ongoing to determine which patients may benefit. Researchers hope this breakthrough will eventually lead to safer, more targeted treatments that mimic aspirin’s benefits without its risks.

Taoiseach praises UK-Irish 'reset' ahead of joint summit

06 Mar 2025

Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin met Keir Starmer in Liverpool ahead of a historic UK-Irish summit. The event brings together cabinet members from both governments to strengthen ties in trade, energy, and security. Discussions will focus on economic growth, investment, and cooperation in renewable energy, technology, AI, and security. A new data-sharing agreement will be announced to boost offshore energy production. Additionally, Ireland will unveil £185.5 million in investments in the UK, expected to create over 2,500 jobs. The summit is taking place amid heightened security concerns in Europe. Martin praised Starmer’s leadership, emphasising the importance of peace and international cooperation. Starmer expressed his commitment to deepening UK-Irish relations, stating that previous ties had not reached their full potential. This meeting marks a new era of collaboration, reinforcing economic and diplomatic ties between the two nations. The summit concludes before Martin attends a European Council meeting in Brussels.

Chaplain fired for beliefs wins full retrial

06 Mar 2025

Rev Bernard Randall, a former chaplain at Trent College in the UK, has been granted a full retrial after a court overturned a 2022 ruling which upheld his dismissal. He was removed from his position after delivering a 2019 sermon encouraging students to debate and engage critically with LGBT teachings introduced at the school. The controversy began when the school adopted guidance from Educate and Celebrate, an organisation aimed at embedding gender identity and sexual orientation into school culture. In response, Randall told students that they should not feel compelled to accept ideologies conflicting with their religious beliefs. He was then dismissed, reported to a government counter-terrorism programme, and barred from ministry within the Church of England. Supported by the Christian Legal Centre (CLC), Randall filed a lawsuit in 2021 alleging discrimination and unfair dismissal. The initial tribunal ruled against him; however, the recent decision by Judge James Tayler found evidence of anti-Christian bias in the original panel, leading to the retrial.