Papua New Guinea: Bougainville’s desire for independence stalled
Five years after Bougainville’s decisive vote for independence from Papua New Guinea (PNG), frustrations are growing due to the stalled political process. Over 97% of the autonomous region’s approximately 300,000 residents voted for independence in a 2019 referendum. However, the change requires ratification by PNG’s parliament, which has not yet occurred. Talks broke down last year over disagreements on the ratification process; Bougainville wants a simple majority vote, while PNG insists on a two-thirds majority. Both parties have agreed on an international moderator, but progress remains slow. Bougainville’s president Ishmael Toroama is pressing PNG to fulfil its promises, as residents express deep frustration over the delays. Bougainville has long sought independence, especially following protests against the environmental and social impacts of a copper mine and the subsequent civil war from 1989 to 1998. A 2001 peace agreement led to autonomous governance in 2005 and then to the referendum.
Honduras: former president imprisoned for corruption
Many Hondurans are celebrating what they see as a rare instance of accountability for corruption among the nation's ruling class. Juan Orlando Hernandez, the country’s former president, has been sentenced to 45 years in prison after being convicted on drug and weapons charges. He had been found guilty by a Manhattan jury in March of accepting millions of dollars in bribes to protect cocaine shipments destined for the USA, despite his public stance against drug trafficking. Hernandez, who served as president from 2014 to 2022, maintained his innocence at the sentencing, claiming he was wrongfully accused. Prosecutors had sought a life sentence, arguing that his actions facilitated large-scale drug trafficking and associated violence. They said he had used drug money to bribe officials and manipulate election results in 2013 and 2017. His brother, Tony Hernandez, was also sentenced to life in prison in 2021 on drug charges.
Homeless man stops pastor mid-sermon, then something powerful happens
A viral video shows a pastor, Ed Newton, pausing mid-sermon to engage with Anthony, a homeless man who interrupted with expletives to compliment Newton's shoes. Surprised, Newton gently addressed him, emphasising the need for respect due to the children present. Anthony then revealed he had been suicidal that morning before Michael, a church attendee, brought him to the service, saving his life. Deeply moved, the congregation raised $5,000 for Anthony. This remarkable act of kindness resulted in 35 people deciding to accept Christ that day. Newton and the church continue to support Anthony, including arranging medical help; they hope this incident will inspire believers to remember God's love for everyone. The interaction demonstrates how one act of kindness can change lives and inspire a community.
Atheist undone by ‘transcendent love’ for her baby
As a mischievous fourth-grader, Jennifer Fulwiler moved all the Bibles in her school library to the fiction section. Raised on science and Carl Sagan, atheism was her belief system. However, everything changed when she had a baby. Holding her newborn, she realised profound flaws in atheism and felt a transcendent love that contradicted her materialist worldview. The atheist worldview, she found, could justify immoral behaviour from a survival perspective. When she questioned this, fellow atheists dismissed her concerns. After marrying and having a baby, she marvelled at the miracle of life, sensing that her love for her child was more than just a chemical reaction. This realisation eroded her atheism. Seven months later, drawn to a book in a store, she discovered Lee Strobel's 'The Case for Christ'. Expecting to refute it, she was instead convinced by his arguments. Jennifer accepted Jesus and now plants seeds for the Gospel as a Catholic comedian, transformed by her journey from atheism to faith.
