Care homes: infection monitoring
02 Nov 2023
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has introduced the Vivaldi social care pilot, aiming to collect and analyse data from over 500 care homes across England to combat infections. This initiative builds on the success of the Vivaldi study conducted during the pandemic, expanding its focus to a broader range of infections. UKHSA aims to monitor infections such as Covid-19, flu, norovirus, and urinary tract infections in care homes for older adults. This pilot addresses the initial lack of data and surveillance infrastructure in care homes during the pandemic, which left them susceptible to infections. The Vivaldi research aided decisions such as limiting staff movement and advocating for sick pay for care home workers. Through this pilot, UKHSA aims to continue improving the understanding of infections in care homes, supporting their mission to prepare for, prevent, and respond to health threats and ultimately save lives.
Local councillor King Lawal, previously suspended for sharing his religious views on social media, has been reinstated after an investigation by Northamptonshire Council’s standards committee. He had been suspended and removed from various organisations for posting on social media that ‘Pride is not a virtue but a sin’ in response to pride parades. He also wrote about the biblical perspective on pride. Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, Lawal had been preparing for legal action, citing violations of his freedom of speech and religion. The decision to reinstate him has brought relief, and he hopes the Conservative Central Office, still investigating his membership, will follow suit. Lawal expressed surprise at the backlash, emphasising that he was sharing biblical doctrine that has existed for thousands of years. He believes public representatives should not have their speech curtailed and hopes that his reinstatement encourages people to stand up for their beliefs.
Edinburgh set to declare a housing emergency
02 Nov 2023
Due to a homelessness crisis, Edinburgh is poised to declare a housing emergency. The city council's housing convener, Jane Meagher, will table a motion to establish an emergency action plan and request urgent funding from the Scottish government to address the severe challenges. Edinburgh currently has around 5,000 households in temporary accommodation, the highest in Scotland. The crisis is exacerbated by a severe shortage of social rented homes, with approximately 200 bids for each advertised property. Rental costs are soaring, with Edinburgh having the UK's highest rental inflation rate at 13.7%. If the motion passes, Edinburgh will be the first Scottish city officially to declare a housing emergency. The council plans to write to the First Minister and the housing minister to request additional funding.
On 1 November, Russia unleashed a barrage on 118 Ukrainian towns and villages within 24 hours, marking the highest number of settlements hit in a single day this year, according to Ukrainian interior minister Ihor Klymenko. The attacks, targeting ten of Ukraine's 27 regions, resulted in casualties and fatalities. Many of the affected areas were near the front lines in eastern and southern Ukraine. Russia has been concentrating its military efforts on Avdiivka, a strategically vital town in the Donetsk region, causing significant damage. Ukraine has repelled multiple attacks in the area, and Russia has increased attacks on other towns and areas away from the front lines. Amid concerns about Western fatigue with the war, Volodymyr Zelensky has emphasised the need for advanced weaponry and unity among allies. Ukraine's chief military commander warned that the war is entering a positional stage, favouring Moscow's ability to rebuild its military power. Russia continues to have superior weaponry and ammunition. The situation has prompted the USA to seek approval for a $106 billion package to support Ukraine and Israel.
France: combatting the rise in anti-semitism
02 Nov 2023
Prime minister Elisabeth Borne has pledged to combat rising antisemitism vigorously after anti-Jewish graffiti was discovered on buildings in various Paris neighbourhoods. She emphasised that the situation in the Middle East should not justify antisemitism and stated that her government is committed to an unrelenting battle against it. Since the 7 October Hamas attack on Israel, France has documented 857 antisemitic incidents, according to interior minister Gerald Darmanin. This figure represents as many antisemitic acts in three weeks as there have been throughout the entire year. The authorities have launched multiple investigations into the Paris graffiti, with Darmanin promising protection to Jewish communities across France. The graffiti included blue Star of David symbols on several buildings, triggering painful memories and emotional responses from residents. Carine Petit, the mayor of Paris's 14th district, pointed out that such acts of marking buildings are reminiscent of the 1930s and World War II, which resulted in the extermination of millions of Jews. See
On 2 November Israeli soldiers advanced on war-torn Gaza City, meeting fierce resistance from Hamas militants, as hundreds of foreign nationals waited to cross the border into Egypt. Battles were reported to be raging in five different areas of the Strip. Footage has emerged of Hamas fighters using guerrilla-style tactics, emerging from underground tunnels to fire at Israeli tanks, then disappearing back into the tunnels. Benjamin Natanyahu has said, ‘We are at the height of the battle’, and claimed ‘impressive successes’: for up-to-date news, see Meanwhile, the Rafah border crossing into Egypt was opened on 1 November for the first time, allowing over 500 foreign nationals to leave: its foreign ministry has said Egypt would ultimately assist in evacuating about 7,000 foreigners, representing more than sixty nationalities. Speaking on condition of anonymity, an Egyptian official said that some ambulances carrying wounded Palestinians were also allowed to leave Gaza.
During a visit to southern Tanzania, German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier apologised and asked for forgiveness for colonial-era killings during Germany’s rule. He vowed to raise awareness of the atrocities in his country, in a step towards ‘communal healing’ of the bloody past. Tanzania suffered under German colonial rule for decades, and saw one of the region’s deadliest uprisings from 1905 to 1907. During the revolt, known as the Maji Maji Rebellion, between 200,000 and 300,000 Indigenous people were murdered by German troops. Steinmeier said Germany was ready to begin a ‘communal processing’ of the past, as he met with descendants of an executed leader of the revolt. In contrast, on a state visit to Kenya, King Charles III expressed ‘deep regret’ for the ‘abhorrent and unjustifiable’ acts of violence committed during the 1952-1960 Mau Mau revolt, in which 90,000 Kenyans died, but stopped short of apologising or proposing reparations. See
IHOP leader accused of sexual misconduct
02 Nov 2023
Mike Bickle, founder of the 24/7 worship centre in Kansas known as the International House of Prayer, is facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, said to span several decades. His church has been hosting continuous prayer and worship for around 15 years, and a livestream of its praise music is watched by millions around the world. In the 1990s he also led a group known as the Kansas City Prophets, which conducted international mission trips, introducing many Christians, including in the UK, to prophetic words and pictures. A statement by three investigators said: ‘When these allegations were brought to our attention, we were shocked. The allegations seemed out of character to the man we thought we knew, but they were so serious we could not ignore them.’ In their view, he used his position of spiritual authority over several victims to manipulate them. Although Mike Bickle denies the allegations, he has agreed not to preach or teach until the situation is resolved. It is reported that he preached on the issue of false allegations just last week.