Half of drought-hit Somalia needs aid in 2018, says UN
Thomson Reuters Foundation About 6.2 million people in Somalia – half the population – need emergency aid, such as food, water and shelter, due to unprecedented drought and ongoing conflict, the United Nations said on Wednesday, appealing for $1.6 billion. The drought – spanning four consecutive poor rainy seasons – has forced millions from their […]
Two years on, thousands in Burkina Faso call for release of ‘doctor of the poor’
World Watch Monitor Ken Elliott. PICTURE: Via Facebook Thousands took to the streets of Djibo, a northern town in Burkina Faso, on Monday to call for the government to secure the release of an Australian doctor, Ken Elliott, kidnapped two years ago. The abduction was claimed by the ‘Emirate of the Sahara’, a branch of Al-Qaeda in […]
Egyptian church celebrates long-awaited official opening
World Watch Monitor A Coptic church in Minya, Upper Egypt, was officially allowed to open last week for the first time since it was built in 2015, and three months after clashes with local Muslims had forced it to close indefinitely. The Holy Virgin and Mar Girgis church in the village of Sheikh Alaa had […]
STRANGESIGHTS: OF ‘MILKSHAKE DUCKS’; SINGAPORE’S ‘SWANBOTS’; AND, HOW RILEY’S NOSE WILL HELP SAVE ART…
DAVID ADAMS writes about the odder side of life…
Yemen could face famine in 2018 as war continues, aid agencies warn
Thomson Reuters Foundation Already battered by three years of war, Yemen is in danger of tipping into famine in 2018 if fighting continues to disrupt imports of food aid, aid agencies warned. In the worst-case scenario, the war-torn nation “faces a risk of famine” if there is prolonged and significant disruption to imports through its […]
World Council of Churches prepares for Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Christians around the world are preparing to join in the World Council of Churches’ Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, which kicks off on Thursday. Running until 25th January, the theme of the week – “Your right hand, O Lord, glorious in power” – is inspired by Exodus 15:6: “Your right hand, Lord, was majestic in power. Your […]
CLERGY: STRESSED OUT ANGLICAN PRIESTS TURN TO TRADE UNIONS FOR SUPPORT
CATHERINE PEPINSTER reports on how increased stresses is leading Anglican priests to turn to trade unions for support…
UK disability charity releases free six week Bible study to “lift the lid” on mental health
UK disability charity Liveability has released a free six week Bible study for churches to engage with mental health challenges faced by those in their communities. Lifting the Lid has been created for use by small groups and draws on well-known Bible stories to open up discussions around the topics of emotional and mental well-being. […]