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.

Abidjan, Ivory Coast — Burkina Faso's military regime wants to reinstate the death penalty after the West African country abolished it in 2018, a government source told AFP on Saturday.  The latest execution in Burkina Faso was in 1988, according to Amnesty International.  Reintroducing capital punishment to the penal code "is being considered. It's up to the government to discuss it, then make the proposal to the Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) for adoption," the source said, adding that the date had not been chosen.  Justice Minister Rodrigue Bayala said Friday — after parliament passed a bill introducing community service — that "the issue of death penalty, which is being discussed, will be implemented in the draft criminal code."  Bayala also said there could be further amendments to the criminal code, "to follow the vision and the guidelines given by the head of state, Captain Ibrahim Traore," who seized power in a September 2022 coup.  The Burkinabe government in July passed a bill that included plans to ban homosexuality.  Amnesty International has reported a surge in the use of the death penalty on the African continent, saying in a statement in October that "recorded executions more than tripled and recorded death sentences increased significantly by 66%."  On the other hand, the rights group noted that "24 countries across sub-Saharan Africa have abolished the death penalty for all crimes while two additional countries have abolished it for ordinary crimes only."   "Kenya and Zimbabwe currently have bills tabled to abolish the death penalty for all crimes, while Gambia ... has commenced a constitutional amendment process that will ... effectively abolish the death penalty," it said. 

N'DJAMENA — Boko Haram insurgents killed 17 Chadian soldiers in a weekend attack on a military post that also left 96 of the assailants dead in the country's west, Chad's army said. The attack in the Lake Chad region happened on Saturday, army spokesperson Gen. Issakh Acheikh said on national television Sunday night. He did not provide details. The Lake Chad region has been plagued this year by frequent attacks from insurgents, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State in West Africa. It has revived fears of violence after a period of peace following a successful operation launched in 2020 by the Chadian army to destroy the extremist groups' bases. Last month, 40 soldiers were killed during an attack on a military base, prompting President Mahamat Deby Itno to launch an operation to dislodge Boko Haram militants from Lake Chad. In March, an attack the government blamed on Boko Haram killed seven soldiers. Boko Haram, which launched an insurgency more than a decade ago against Western education, seeks to establish Islamic law in Nigeria’s northeast. The insurgency has spread to West African neighbors including Cameroon, Niger and Chad. Chad, a country of nearly 18 million people, has been reeling from political turmoil before and after a controversial presidential election that resulted in Deby Itno’s victory. He had led the country as interim president during the period of military rule that followed the death of his father in 2021.

Nairobi — A prominent human rights group is calling for the deployment of peacekeepers in Sudan, following a recent wave of attacks on civilians in Al Jazirah state widely blamed on the Rapid Support Forces, one of the warring sides in the country’s ongoing conflict. Human Rights Watch says the situation has become so grim that a mission is needed to protect the population.  According to a local pro-democracy group, the Wad Madani Resistance Committee, 169 people have been killed since the violence started in southeastern Jazirah state on Oct. 20.   The attacks began after a commander for the Rapid Support Forces defected and joined the Sudanese army. Rights groups report that in response, RSF forces entered villages and towns in the area where the commander was from and carried out targeted killings and abuse.   Laetitia Bader, deputy director of Human Rights Watch's Africa division, said the violations have added more problems for a population reeling from more than 18 months of war.   "Sudanese women's rights groups have been documenting cases of sexual violence against women and girls in these towns and villages. And we're talking here about over 30 towns and villages which have been attacked in recent weeks, and these attacks are ongoing,” Bader said. “It led to massive displacement of the civilian population in an area where people had already fled to and from. So it's just adding to the layers of suffering."  The RSF has denied attacking communities in Jazirah state and has accused Sudanese forces of arming local communities.   The RSF and Sudan’s military have been at war since April of last year. Rival generals lead the parties and are locked in a power struggle.  Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch and other observers are calling for the deployment of peacekeepers to Jazirah and other parts of Sudan, in hopes of protecting civilians.   Getting a presence on the ground could deter further attacks and help monitor humanitarian obstruction, Bader said, and also play a role in bolstering local cease-fire efforts and efforts by emergency response teams to provide assistance.  “Right now the problem is that what is happening at the local level cannot act alone," Bader added.  Ahmed Hashi, a Horn of Africa political and security commentator, said troops are needed, and strong action must be taken against the leaders of the warring groups.   "There is a need to send at least 50,000 United Nations soldiers. There is a need to take the criminal generals to the International Criminal Court and issue a warrant for their arrest,” Hashi said. “It is important for the United Nations to put its foot down on conflicts because they are going to metastasize into a massive humanitarian catastrophe."  In a report issued last month, the office of U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed shock at the human rights violations often witnessed in Sudan’s western Darfur region being repeated in the Jazirah area.  The United Nations Security Council is slated to discuss the report on Sudan later this month.

The breakaway region of Somaliland in East Africa is due to hold general elections on November 13th. As the self-declared republic pushes for recognition from the international community and begins to play a larger role in the wider region, what could the outcome mean for Somalia, the Horn of Africa and beyond? Henry Wilkins reports.

Yaoundé, Cameroon — The government of Chad said Tuesday that hundreds of Boko Haram fighters are fleeing the central African state’s territory and crossing over into Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria. State TV reports the fighters fled after clashes with Chadian forces over the weekend that killed more than 100 Boko Haram fighters as well as close to 20 Chadian soldiers. Chad state TV reports that assaults have continued against Boko Haram strongholds after the central African state’s military saw almost 20 soldiers killed and 32 others injured in a Saturday battle with Boko Haram terrorists in the Lake Chad basin. A government statement said about 100 Boko Haram fighters were killed and a dozen others injured during the clashes, and that Boko Haram fighters are now fleeing to Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger. Earlier this month, Chad's military launched an operation aimed at dislodging Boko Haram terrorists from areas around Lake Chad, according to the central African state’s president, General Mahamat Idriss Deby. Deby said the operation – named Haskanite -- is to avenge the killing of 40 government troops in October and to improve security for civilians in the area. The offensive hit a complication last week, when Deby said the fighting forces of Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger, who all contribute troops to a regional anti-terrorism joint task force, had decided to not collaborate with the Chadian offensive. Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger have made no public statements confirming or denying Deby’s claim, and VOA could not independently verify if the three countries have chosen not to participate in the Chadian operation. Cameroon’s military said it is securing the country’s borders and protecting its civilians. Deby has said he planned to withdraw his troops from the multi-national force, which has about 11,000 troops, because of the absence of what he calls coordinated efforts among member states to fight Boko Haram terrorism. Remadji Hoinathy is a lecturer at the University of N'Djamena in Chad and a researcher on strategic development in central Africa and the Lake Chad Basin Commission. He said it is imperative for neighboring states to strategize and join Chad in fighting Boko Haram because the terrorist group has a high capacity to infiltrate communities in Cameroon, Nigeria and Niger when attacked by forces from Chad. Remadji says fighters that survive onslaughts from Chad government forces will escape to safety areas in Cameroon, Niger and Nigeria and return to Chad to commit more atrocities when Operation Haskanite ends. Chad has not said when it might withdraw its troops from the U.N.-assisted joint fighting force. Chad civil society groups and political parties say they are surprised that officials of the joint task force have neither reacted to Chad's threat to withdraw nor announced plans to cooperate with the offensive against Boko Haram. Hisseine Abdoulaye is spokesperson of The Patriots, one of Chad’s political parties. He spoke to VOA via a messaging app from Chad's capital N'djamena. Abdoulaye said although it is the right of any state or party to pull out of an organization if its interests are not protected and respected, he disagrees with Chad's announced plan to withdraw its troops from the Multinational Joint Task Force of the Lake Chad Basin Commission. He saif Chad's military alone cannot stop militants from attacking government troops and communities. Boko Haram launched an armed rebellion against the Nigerian government in 2009 to establish an Islamic state. Fighting has since spread to neighboring countries and has killed more than 40,000 people, displacing over 3 million according to the United Nations.

With prices rising, Nigerians are becoming creative. Thrift shopping is booming, offering affordable options. Gibson Emeka from Abuja looks at how this market is becoming a lifeline for many in Nigeria.

Experts Weigh In on Pacific Islands Regional Rift at EWC Virtual Workshop Experts Weigh In on Pacific Islands Regional Rift at EWC Virtual Workshop

Pakistani and Indian Journalists at Media Conference: Why Fight Each Other, When We’re All Fighting the Same Issues? Pakistani and Indian Journalists at Media Conference: Why Fight Each Other, When We’re All Fighting the Same Issues?

Keiki Day 2024 Keiki Day 2024

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

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

Edo Queens head coach Moses Aduku is exuding confidence and expects his charges to go all out against FC Masar in the CAF Women’s Champions League Group B clash starting at 18:00 at Larbi Zaouli Stadium, Casablanca on Wednesday (today), PUNCH Sports Extra reports. The Nigerian and West African champions made a flying start to

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

A lawyer and two other persons have been killed and several others injured as an articulated truck conveying large consignments of flour rammed into shops at Utu Etim Ekpo, headquarters of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, PUNCH Metro learnt on Tuesday. Our correspondent gathered that a woman, whose two legs were

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority has warned flight crew members, especially pilots against working for multiple airlines concurrently with their approved privileges simulators and proficiency checks endorsed on their licence. The authority stated that such action posed a serious threat to safety and would be treated as a serious violation of the NCAA Regulations. This

Oluwatimilehin Doko, a member of Team Ogun that represented Nigeria at the 2024 African Scrabble Championship in Kigali, Rwanda, has made history as the youngest African Scrabble Championship winner. Doko and other Ogun State players in Rwanda recorded awe-inspiring performances, with the youngster emerging as the overall winner. The Ogun State player became the youngest

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,

TIME magazine has named the Chief Executive Officer of Sustainable Energy for All and Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Damilola Ogunbiyi, among its TIME100 Climate list of influential leaders pushing climate action forward. The magazine’s latest list highlights the 100 most innovative global figures working to accelerate climate-conscious business solutions. According to a

The House of Representatives is set to debate the general principles of a bill seeking to provide a sustainable source of funding for the National Youth Service Corps, for the training and empowerment of corps members. Titled “The NYSC Trust Fund (Establishment) Bill 2024,” the proposed legislation, sponsored by the lawmaker representing Nasarawa/Toro Federal Constituency

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

As the Super Eagles prepare to take on Benin Republic and Rwanda in the final phase of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification series, interim coach Austin Eguavoen will be relying on the searing form of his frontmen Victor Osimhen, Victor Boniface, and Ademola Lookman, who have been consistently among the goals for their

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

United States President-elect Donald Trump has announced that tech billionaire Elon Musk will serve in the Department of Government Efficiency. Musk will be joined by American patriot Vivek Ramaswamy, and together they will lead the department. This was disclosed in a statement issued by Trump on Tuesday, 12th November 2024, which was shared via Musk’s

Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Appeals Committee has ratified Kwara United promotion to the Glo Premier League. The Appeals Committee upheld an earlier ruling of its Disciplinary and Organising (O&D) Committee on the hotly contested promotion ticket between the Afonja Warriors and Ranchers Bees. The llorin-based side have now officially joined the trio, Wikki Tourists, 3SC and Gabros FC to the Nigerian top flight for the upcoming 2014/15 season. Supersport.com gathered that the decision was taken at the end of the committee’s meeting in Abuja on Wednesday. Kwara United and Ranchers Bees have been locked in the promotion battle since the […]

.Beat Equatorial Guinea 3-0 in Malabo Ghana moved a step closer to ending their 33-year wait for another Africa Cup of Nations title after defeating hosts Equatorial Guinea 3-0 in the 2015 tournament’s second semi-final, played in Malabo on Thursday night. The Black Stars, who claimed a deserved and comprehensive victory thanks to goals from the Ayew brothers and Mubarak Wakaso, will now face Ivory Coast in the championship match on Sunday. The Elephants themselves have not won the AFCON trophy since 1992. There was little action of note for most of the first half, with neither side really able […]