Church Issues

• PM pledges to implement persecution report: Boris Johnson has pledged to follow through on all the recommendations made by the Bishop of Truro in his report on the global persecution of Christians. Read more here.
  
• Global multi-faith committee launched: The ‘higher committee’ will implement the ‘Human Fraternity’ document signed by the Pope and a Grand Imam earlier this year, promoting a global framework spreading ideals of tolerance, brotherhood and peaceful co-existence of all religions. Read more here.

World Scene

• Thousands rally in Sydney on behalf of the unborn: A mass peaceful rally has drawn thousands together in protest against a radical bill allowing abortion up to birth, which has been pushed through the lower house of New South Wales’ Parliament and now proceeds to the upper. Read more here.
  
• Trump and Dems in furore over Israel: Following a spat with Israel over their BDS support, Democratic congresswomen Omar and Tlaib have hit out at the Jewish nation again, while Trump has raised a storm with his response. Read more here.

Israel & Middle East

• Will Israel help Gazans flee? Amid reports that a ground offensive against Hamas may happen soon, Israel may work to help Gazans flee the Strip, if other countries can be found to take them. Tens of thousands seek to escape the beleaguered territory each year. Read more here and here. Tit-for-tat retaliation between the IDF and Hamas has continued this week, with rockets fired from the Strip and several Hamas targets being taken out. Read more here.
  
• Abbas fires all his advisors: The West Bank’s financial woes have already prompted salary cuts; now the Palestinian President has sacked his advisors and requested that his cabinet return some lavish bonuses. Read more here.
  
• Israel conducts more hits on Iranian targets: With Russian and US agreement, Israel has reportedly carried out secret strikes on numerous Iranian targets this week, in Iraq and Syria. Read more here. Israel is reportedly considering attacking in Yemen, where Iran is resourcing Hezbollah fighters. Read more here.
  
• Israel and South Korea agree trade deal: After three years of negotiations, the two countries have inked an agreement that will be a major boost to their trade, which is already worth $2.5 billion. Read more here.

Events

• Messianic teaching from Colin Mitchell, Sunday 25 August (West Midlands): Colin is a Messianic pastor and teacher who made aliyah to Israel in 2009 and is a leader at Kehilat HaCarmel fellowship in Haifa. Hear him speak at William Street Church in Brierley Hill (DY5 3XH, 11am).
• 'I Am John Wesley' performance, Saturday 31 August, Lincolnshire: A free Gospel-centred play by Sh'ma Kingdom Drama, using drama and dance to tell the story of the Wesley brothers. Broughton Village Hall. Click here to find out more.
• Abortion: Killing off the human race? Saturday 21 September (central London): Join Voice for Justice UK and speakers including the Rt Hon Sir Jeffrey Donaldson MP in calling for a reduction of the time limit for abortion. The Emmanuel Centre, Westminster, 10am-5pm, tickets £30 (concessions £15). Click here to find out more and to register.
• Abortion: Choice, Necessity or Injustice? Thursday 26 September (Bristol): Join the Centre for Bio-Ethical Reform at their Bristol launch for an evening of inspiration, education and activation on this vital issue. Buckingham Chapel, 7:30pm. Click here to find out more and RSVP. The following day there is also opportunity to join apologetics training and take part in an educational street display in the city centre.
• SPUC annual conference, 13-15 September (Derbyshire): Join other SPUC supporters and a number of prominent speakers at this critical time in pro-life campaigning. The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick. Tickets £200. Click here to find out more and to book.