Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

Check here each week to keep up with the latest from John MacArthur's pulpit at Grace Community Church.

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — Huldah Momanyi Hiltsley made history November 5 by becoming the first Kenyan-born immigrant elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives. She describes her victory as a testament to resilience, determination and the realization of the American dream. Standing in the State Capitol for the first time on the morning of her orientation, Hiltsley told VOA she was overwhelmed with emotions and eager to start her journey as an elected official. “I am super excited,” Hiltsley said. “Today is orientation day for new legislators, and to be standing in this Capitol as an African immigrant woman is a tremendous honor. I’m just overexcited right now.” She said this milestone did not come easily. Her path to the Minnesota State Capitol was marked by struggles, including a fight against an immigration system that nearly led to her family’s deportation. She credits much of her success to the community support and the intervention of the late U.S. Senator Paul Wellstone, whose advocacy she said ultimately secured her family’s green cards and, later, citizenship. “Getting to this moment honestly is just a testament to the struggles that my family has gone through to be in this country,” she said. There has been a media frenzy surrounding Hiltsley’s victory and it has captured the attention of Kenyan media, with celebrations taking place in her hometown, Nyamemiso village, which is eight hours from Nairobi, Kenya's capital. Despite the attention, Hiltsley said she remains humble.  “I’m that little girl from that little village somewhere in the middle of Kenya, and now I’m in the spotlight of this media frenzy. And so, I’m still trying to really appreciate the magnitude of the moment,” she said. Hiltsley said she has a desire to inspire others, particularly young girls in Kenya and the United States. "It is still surreal,” she said, adding that “if I can make it to this point, I can be a role model to somebody to remind them that it is possible that our wildest dreams are possible. And that would be something that I would look back and say, wow, I’ve made a difference in somebody’s life.” Her legislative priorities Looking ahead, Hiltsley said she is committed to championing issues that matter to her constituents in Minnesota’s Legislative District 38A. Her priorities include community-centered public safety policies, affordable housing options, workers’ rights and support for small businesses — many of which are run by African immigrants. “The resources are out here,” she said, promising to empower her community. “It is my job to go back to my community and tell them, hey, there are resources here. This is how this system works. Let’s work together to mobilize and make sure that we are also taking a piece of the pie,” she said. As the first Kenyan American woman in Minnesota's Legislature, Hiltsley said she recognizes the weight and responsibility of her position. She described it as “an honor that I don’t take lightly.” “I don’t want to be the last,” she, adding that she hopes "this moment right here is a testimony that you can come to this country, work hard, take care of business, know your craft, stick to it, be consistent and get to where you want to.” Her message to those who have yet to succeed in their political campaigns is clear: Perseverance is key. “Be consistent. Keep going. There’s enough space in this Legislature for more people of color, especially immigrants, because that’s the voice that is missing,” Hiltsley said. Changing political scene Hiltsley shared her thoughts on the changing political landscape in Washington, particularly with the coming administration under President-elect Donald Trump. While acknowledging the challenges, she said she will stay focused on serving her constituents in Minnesota, regardless of politics. “We are here to serve the people, and it doesn’t matter if you are Democrat or Republican,” she said. “We are here as legislators to serve the people of Minnesota.” Hiltsley also shared her heartfelt message to fellow Kenyans who have been celebrating her historic achievement. “This is a historical moment, and I’m honored to be a Kenyan American,” she said. “Let’s continue celebrating this victory, but after that, we have work to do.” She said her eyes are set on not just her role in Minnesota, but also finding ways to collaborate with Kenya’s leaders to address issues facing the country, including corruption and a lack of strong leadership. “Kenya has unlimited potential,” she said. “It’s up to our leaders to do right by the people.” Hiltsley will officially take her seat in the Minnesota State House of Representatives and be sworn in on January 7. Representatives are elected to serve two-year terms. This story originated in VOA’s Swahili Service. Salem Solomon contributed to the report from Washington.

port louis, mauritius — Mauritius held a parliamentary election Sunday in which Prime Minister Pravind Kumar Jugnauth and his main rivals all promised to tackle a cost-of-living crisis in the Indian Ocean archipelago. Polls closed at 6 p.m. local time (1400 GMT) and results were expected Monday, according to the country's electoral body. The country of about 1.3 million people markets itself as a link between Africa and Asia, deriving most of its revenues from a flourishing offshore financial sector, tourism and textiles. Mauritius also receives aid from China. It has forecast 6.5% economic growth this year compared with 7.0% last year but many voters are not feeling the benefits. Jugnauth's Alliance Lepep coalition has promised to raise minimum wages, increase pensions and reduce value-added tax on some basic goods. It says it will use payments from the U.K. under an October agreement for Britain to cede the Chagos Islands while retaining the U.S.-U.K. Diego Garcia air base. "The alliance led by the prime minister is selling the economic prosperity card, with promises of more money to different segments of the population," said political analyst Subash Gobine. The opposition has also pledged to increase pensions as well as introduce free transport and internet services and reduce fuel prices. It is dominated by the Alliance du Changement coalition led by Navin Ramgoolam and two other parties running in the Linion Reform alliance, whose leaders, Nando Bodha and Roshi Bhadain, plan to alternate as prime minister if they win. Voters were picking lawmakers for the 62 seats in parliament for the next five years, from a list of 68 parties and five political alliances. Music instructor Ivan Mootooveeren, 41, who cast his ballot at a polling center in the capital, Port Louis, told Reuters he was voting for the opposition because the country needed a new direction. Another voter, David Stafford, 36, said young people would make the difference in the election. He did not say who he was voting for but added that people were looking for economic innovation and job opportunities as much as fiscal changes. Arvin Boolell, deputy leader of the Labour Party, a member of the opposition coalition, told Reuters voter turnout had likely exceeded 75%. The electoral body could not be immediately reached to give an official figure for turnout. Whichever party or coalition gets more than half the seats in parliament also wins the prime minister's post. Earlier this month, Jugnauth's government blocked social media platforms until a day after the election, citing national security concerns after conversations between public figures were leaked. It lifted the ban a day later after opposition parties criticized the move.

PORT LOUIS — Mauritius incumbent prime minister Pravind Jugnauth said on Monday that his political alliance was headed for a huge defeat following Sunday's parliamentary election. "L'Alliance Lepep is heading towards a huge defeat. I have tried to do what I can for the country and the population. The population has decided to choose another team. I wish good luck to the country," Jugnauth told reporters. Voters went to the polls to elect lawmakers for the 62 seats in parliament for the next five years, from a list of 68 parties and five political alliances. Whichever party or coalition gets more than half the seats in parliament also wins the prime minister's post.

Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian military welcomed a report by a human rights group that found “no evidence” the military secretly carried out thousands of illegal abortions as part of its fight against Islamist insurgency. The Reuters news agency says it stands by its three reports in 2022 which lodged the allegations.  In a statement over the weekend, Nigerian Defense Chief General Christopher Musa praised the report by the seven-member investigative panel set up by the National Human Rights Commission of Nigeria.  Musa said no amount of false accusations will distract the armed forces from defending Nigeria's integrity.  On Friday, the Nigerian investigative panel said it found “no evidence” that the Nigerian military secretly carried out illegal abortions or had such a policy in its operations against terror groups.   The panel's probe lasted 18 months and was based on 199 testimonies from witnesses including Musa, who was leading the counterinsurgency campaign at the time.  In December 2022, Reuters news agency published three reports alleging that the Nigerian military ran a mass abortion program for victims of the long-running Boko Haram insurgency and massacred children in the northeast.  The report alleged that the military had carried out more than 10,000 abortions since 2013.  "The panel made its findings meticulously on each of the issues," said Hillary Ogbonna, secretary to the investigative panel. "For the abortion assault, the panel did not find evidence that the Nigerian armed forces committed a systematic, secret or policy-driven abortion in the northeast to the tune of 10,000 abortions."  The committee, however, agreed with a Reuters report alleging the military committed human rights violations, including infanticide, during a military operation in June 2016.  "The panel found the military culpable of infanticide and the killing of community members in the village of Abisare in Borno State. We've received witness testimonies including those of the survivors and relations of the deceased," Ogbonna said.  Responding to the panel's report, Reuters said it stands by its investigation, stating that it satisfied their standards for independence, accuracy and impartiality.  On Monday, a Nigerian human rights group, Women Concerns, called on Reuters to withdraw the report and apologize to the Nigerian military.  But security analyst Chidi Omeje said when there's disagreement between two parties, an independent committee can be set up to review the reports.  "I don't know how the human rights commission went about the investigation. I really cannot say whether it was a thorough job done or whether there was some influence somewhere. Maybe some other independent organizations should be able to wade in," Omeje said. "I know that [the] human rights commission, even though I'm not trying to doubt their integrity, it has some allegiance to the government because it's a government agency."  Years of military offensives against terror groups in Nigeria have been embroiled in allegations of human rights violations. Soldiers have been accused of mistreating civilians and carrying out extrajudicial killings.  "It tells you how it is very difficult to maintain or stick to that professionalism if you're dealing with this kind of asymmetric warfare. Sometimes it is difficult to distinguish who the adversaries are," Omeje said.  Recently, the military launched a public relations campaign, seeking to repair its reputation.

China’s Strategic Motivations in the Indo-Pacific and Implications for US-China Competition China’s Strategic Motivations in the Indo-Pacific and Implications for US-China Competition

Panelists See Long Pandemic Recovery in the Pacific, Urge Attention to Community Voices Panelists See Long Pandemic Recovery in the Pacific, Urge Attention to Community Voices

Expert: Western Public Health Authorities’ Communication Missteps in Dealing with COVID Led to Public Mistrust Expert: Western Public Health Authorities’ Communication Missteps in Dealing with COVID Led to Public Mistrust

The Spirit of the International Polar Year in Arctic International Cooperation The Spirit of the International Polar Year in Arctic International Cooperation

Could New Underwater Territorial Claims in the North Pacific and Arctic Finally Prompt the US to Adopt the UN Convention on Law of the Sea? Could New Underwater Territorial Claims in the North Pacific and Arctic Finally Prompt the US to Adopt the UN Convention on Law of the Sea?

The Arctic Security Paradox, and What to Do About It The Arctic Security Paradox, and What to Do About It

Engaging Arctic Indigenous Communities Meaningfully in Decision-making Affecting Their Food Security Engaging Arctic Indigenous Communities Meaningfully in Decision-making Affecting Their Food Security

The Delimitation of the Extended Continental Shelves in the Central Arctic Ocean The Delimitation of the Extended Continental Shelves in the Central Arctic Ocean

Troops of Operation FASAN YANMA on Tuesday repelled bandits’ attack on the Gatawa community in the Sabon Birmi Local Government Area of Sokoto State. Confirming the development, a member of the state House of Assembly representing Sabon Birmi 1, Aminu Boza, said the incident happened early on Tuesday morning. Boza, a critic of insecurity in

The Central Bank of Nigeria has officially launched three initiatives to drive financial inclusion in the country. The initiatives were launched at the second edition of the International Financial Inclusion Conference, which was held in Lagos on Tuesday under the theme, ‘Inclusive Growth: Harnessing Inclusion for Economic Development’. Speakers at the event highlighted the fact

The management of Kwara State University has disowned Ayeyemi Sulaiman, who was allegedly killed by the police in the Tanke area, Ilorin, the state capital, last week Tuesday, as a student of the institution. The acting Director, University Relations, Dr. Saeedat Aliyu, in a statement on Tuesday, said Sulaiman was no longer its student as

Nigeria has recorded 1,035 confirmed cases of Lassa fever out of 8,569 suspected cases, and 174 deaths in 28 states across 129 local government areas as of October 13, 2024. The country also recorded 380 confirmed cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis out of 4,915 suspected cases and 361 deaths in 24 states across 174 LGAs in

Bandits, on Sunday night, attacked two villages – Kwaga and Ungwan Zako – in Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State, setting fire to harvested maize on six farms. The devastating attacks caused anger in the villages as locals lamented their losses. The PUNCH learnt that the attack came barely 48 hours after a peace

The Nigerian Guild of Editors has called on the Federal Government to urgently mitigate the negative impact of fuel subsidy removal and the exchange rate volatility on the economy. Arising from a three-day All Nigeria Editors Conference in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, the body noted the economic constraints and rising operational costs. It, therefore,

Hundreds of disgruntled women and youths from Zamfara State, on Tuesday, took their protest to the headquarters of the Department of Security Services in Abuja, over heightened insecurity in the state. The aggrieved persons blamed the immediate-past governor of the state and now Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, for the heightened activities of

The Academic Staff Union of Universities on Tuesday raised an alarm over a plot to sabotage the interest of public universities in the country. ASUU’s National President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, at an event marking the 2024 ASUU’s Heroes Day in Abuja, also accused the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund of working relentlessly to

The Defence Headquarters has said the new terrorist group, Lukarawa, has begun a recruitment process to bolster its fighting capabilities. It, however, said the military was aware of the group’s recruitment activities and working closely with other security agencies and the state government to halt the recruitment efforts. The DHQ had, last Thursday, confirmed the

In line with its core values of educational development, environmental sustainability, alternative conflict resolution among others, the Boss Friendship Club (BFC), a Non- Governmental Organisation (NGO) in conjunction with World Dynasty Pageant, has initiated the Pan-African Girl Child Education campaign. At the flag off of the campaign in Abuja recently, District Governor of Boss Friendship Club in Nigeria, Dr Edet Ekpenyong, in his welcome address said the club through the campaign aims to support, contribute and sponsor over 10,000 girl children in Nigeria and other African countries, to ensure they achieve their educational pursuits which would enable them build their […]

Unlike some children who would prefer to stay away when their mothers are in the kitchen, Ngozi Tony-Iduh, a daughter of a caterer, preferred to help her mother whenever she was carrying out her services. As a result, she was able to master the steps involved in cooking, cake-baking, decoration, snacks, indoor and outdoor catering. She also didn’t hesitate to ask questions when necessary. Her unrelenting efforts paved way for her success. Today, she is the Chief Executive Officer of 3K’s Confectionaries — which is into cakes, small chops, chin-chin and other snacks. She’s also into indoor and outdoor catering […]

Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani is a writer to reckon with among Nigerian female writers. Her works portrays the Igbo culture and thereby carved a niche for herself in the literary world. She is a novelist, humourist, essayist and journalist. Nwaubani is the first contemporary African writer on the global stage to have an international book deal while still living in her home country. She was born in 1976 in Enugu into the family of Chief Chukwuma Nwaubani and Dame Patricia Nwaubani. And was educated at Federal Government Girls’ College, Owerri. She studied psychology at the University of Ibadan. As a teenager, […]

One of the most important things that you need to do while you are at university is turn your assignments in on time. Your professor will give you a syllabus and it will tell you the plan for the semester. You will know when you have to do reading, when you have papers due, and when you have exams. Some weeks, you may have more than you can do. You can either plan ahead or get some help from essay writing services or a friend. The key is to make sure that you turn your work in on time. Continue […]

What a privilege and joy it is to worship the Lord here at Grace church. Patricia and I miss it when we’re not here; there&rsqu