At an event in Phoenix, US media personality Tucker Carlson talked at length to actor Russell Brand about his recent conversion, then asked him to close the event in prayer. Dropping to his knees, Brand declared: ‘I call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, our heavenly Saviour. I pray … that the dark and demonic forces which appear to operate in the corporate and global world experience your light, Lord.’ After asking God to guide everyone's words and hearts towards grace and forgiveness, he continued: ‘Thank you, Lord, for the many gifts that you have bestowed upon us. Thank you for the glory of consciousness itself, in which we can experience you and live for you. Thank you for the beauty of nature, in which we see your wisdom and your creativity and your infinite glory. All of us are fallen, but in your holy name we are forgiven by your act of redemption. By your sacrifice in your name, we pray. Amen.’ ‘Amen’, Carson responded, prompting cheers from the audience.

Millions of pensioners will lose winter fuel payments after the Government won a Commons vote to end the universal benefit. Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced the measure as part of an effort to address a £22 billion deficit in public finances. The payment , which had been given to all pensioners, will now be restricted to those receiving pension credit. The move, which will save around £1.5 billion annually, has drawn criticism for its sudden implementation without public consultation. 53 Labour MPs abstained from voting, and some people have vowed never to vote Labour again. One Labour MP, Jon Trickett, broke ranks and voted against the measure, citing concerns about pensioner poverty and criticising the Government for targeting the vulnerable rather than the wealthy. The winter fuel payment, introduced in 1997, was designed to help pensioners with heating costs, but its removal will affect ten million people, leaving many facing increased hardship this winter.

The Renters' Rights Bill, appearing in Parliament on 12 September, aims to provide the most significant shift in tenant-landlord relations since 1988. It will ban ‘no-fault’ evictions, a leading cause of homelessness, replacing them with Section 8, which allows evictions for valid reasons like unpaid rent or a landlord’s need to reclaim the property. The bill will also include longer eviction notice periods and extend an eviction-free protected period at the start of tenancies. It will target the skyrocketing cost of private renting by empowering tenants to challenge unfair rent increases and banning rental bidding wars. It will also apply the Decent Homes Standard to private rentals, ensuring that landlords maintain safe, hazard-free homes. Additionally, renters will gain the right to keep pets, and discrimination against tenants on benefits or with children will be outlawed. Both landlord and renter advocacy groups have supported aspects of the bill, though concerns remain about enforcement and local council resources.

The Princess of Wales has shared her relief at completing her chemotherapy in a heartfelt and very personal video message - a markedly different approach from the usual formal bulletins from Kensington Palace. After her cancer diagnosis in March, Catherine has remained largely out of the public eye. She described her journey through treatment as ‘incredibly tough’, marked by a profound sense of vulnerability and a new perspective on life. While she has finished this phase of treatment, it remains unclear if she is cancer-free, and a full recovery is expected to take time. She expects to participate in a few engagements later this year, maybe including a Remembrance Day event and her annual Christmas carol concert. Despite the ongoing challenges, she expresses a renewed sense of hope and appreciation for life, acknowledging the long path ahead in her recovery. Her last public appearance was at Wimbledon in July, where she received a standing ovation.