Displaying items by tag: United Kingdom

Police investigating the New IRA's bomb-making activities have arrested a 52-year-old man in Londonderry. It follows a search in the Creggan area targeting the dissident republican group's storage of explosive devices and equipment. A detailed forensic examination of a house is also underway. Det Ch Supt Raymond Murray said the man was arrested as part of Operation Ledging and described it as ‘significant’. He said this was a ‘discrete, stand-alone strand’ of a wider investigation - a surveillance-led operation targeting dissident republican activities. He added, ‘The New IRA continues to pose a very real danger, most especially to the communities in the areas where they construct and store their bombs and guns. We have witnessed, on numerous occasions, that they are willing to put the lives of local people at risk in their reckless haste to carry out bombings and shootings.’

As Church of England cathedrals and parishes prepare to mark the first anniversary of lockdown with a National Day of Reflection on 23 March, they released findings from a survey of over 2,000. Seven in ten wanted to attend a funeral but were unable to do so. 89% had not been able to say goodbye properly while 84% said they had not been able to fulfil the funeral wishes of the person who died. The majority of those surveyed said they believed the CofE should provide both outdoor and indoor spaces for quiet reflection and prayer for those coping with death, dying and grief. The chair of the Churches Funeral Group said, ‘The Day of Reflection will prompt us to remember and reflect on so much that’s happened in the past year. Nothing will be more poignant and heartfelt than our treasured memories of those who have died during the year.’

Four days before an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Meghan Markle was claimed by unidentified sources to have bullied three personal assistants. The royal household launched an investigation, and will speak to current and former staff. See Since the interview, front pages and TV screens everywhere have commented on the ‘royals in crisis’ over mixed-race skin colour comments, family dysfunction and no emotional support for Markle’s mental health struggles. The senior royals released a statement asserting that while some recollections of incidents may vary, they are taken very seriously and will be addressed by the family privately. They confirmed that ‘Harry, Meghan and Archie will always be much loved family members’.

Lord, You desire all the royal family to display your righteousness, wisdom, and majesty. May Your will be done. We ask that every change taking place at the moment will strengthen not weaken the monarchy reputation and the future of this nation. Please reinforce every Godly inheritance within the royals. We cry out for wounds to be healed, relationships restored, and for love and honour to overcome every attempt of the enemy to divide or conquer. We thank you for our Queen and celebrate her heart for You, the wisdom, righteousness and integrity reflected in her life and for the respect she holds within this land. Give her peace as she stands above, yet amid, political noise and personal pain. We ask you to heal every injury inflicted by the media and misinformation. May all the royal household have God-given wisdom, peace, and resilience.

The leaders of seven well-known Christian festivals and events are encouraging people to support them this year. They say, ‘We are asking for you to stand with us; we need your help more than ever. Some of us have postponed events, some have moved to free digital alternatives, or chargeable digital and hybrid events. We have all had to decide what is best for us in our unique situation now; we all need the wisdom of the Lord. Please pray regularly for us as we lead our organisations, listen to His leading, and do all we can to serve Him and you. Please join 2021 events and buy tickets. If you wait until 2022, your preferred event may not have the finances to be there.’

The Covid surge hit key NHS services including cancer and routine surgery. Less than half the expected number of operations or scans were done, pushing the waiting list to a record high of 4.6 million. More than 300,000 of those have been waiting more than a year for treatment, compared to 1,600 before the pandemic began. Surgeons described a dire situation which would take a long time to turn around. One surgeon said, ‘Behind today's statistics are people waiting in limbo. Many will be in considerable pain; others will have restricted mobility and be at risk of isolation and loneliness. Dealing with this daunting backlog will take time, and sustained investment in the NHS.’ The true picture could be much worse with nearly 6 million fewer referrals made by GPs for routine treatments, including knee operations and hip replacements creating an additional hidden backlog.

Archbishop Justin Welby has declined to comment on the claim that he officiated over Harry and Meghan's vows three days before their royal wedding at Windsor Castle. According to the Duchess of Sussex, the secret ceremony took place in the couple's garden with only Welby in attendance. The details were revealed in the couple's interview with Oprah Winfrey, which aired at the weekend. ‘You know, three days before our wedding, we got married’, Meghan explained. ‘We called the archbishop, and we just said, 'Look, this thing, this spectacle is for the world, but we want our union between us. ‘However, some have pointed out that the couple were not technically wedded at the alleged ceremony, as the CofE stipulates that weddings must take place in the presence of at least two witnesses. In addition, wedding ceremonies are not allowed to take place in outdoor venues such as gardens, though this limitation is under review.

On 10 March Boris Johnson phoned Iran’s president, Hassan Rouhani, to tell him the British-Iranian aid worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe must be allowed to return home to be with her family as she finished her five year prison sentence on 7 March. He said that while the removal of her ankle monitor was welcome, her continued confinement remains completely unacceptable. Rouhani complained to Johnson that no practical progress had been made in solving Iran’s demand for the UK to return a £400m debt. Nazanin now faces a new court date. Shadow foreign secretary Lisa Nandy said, ‘When I meet this family I feel there's not much more they can take of this, to be honest. Other countries have made more progress in getting their nationals home. We need to see a real concerted effort now.’ See

There is refreshing news of Covid infections decreasing, and talk of a financial recovery as affluent households are ready to spend again. However, families on the very lowest incomes have been more impacted and will face even more hardships in 2021. The Body of Christ plays a vital role in ministering to those around us in distress and shining the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This challenge will be discussed at a free London City Mission webinar, ‘Hope for those in financial distress’, on 25 March. It will be a chance to put questions to a panel of missionaries and a training director. They will discuss how churches can build new connections with people, and opportunities to develop a culture of loving, committed gospel outreach.

Prince Philip, 99, had already spent 16 nights in hospital, being treated for an infection. He was then moved to St Bartholomew’s Hospital for tests and observation on a heart condition. On 3 March a surgical procedure was performed. The duke will remain in hospital for treatment, rest, and recuperation for a number of days.