Turkey has launched waves of airstrikes against elements of a Kurdish separatist group known as the P.K.K., with its allies the Y.P.G. (who work closely with America relaying intelligence and coordinates for potential airstrike targets). The resulting strikes help Kurds seize territory along the Turkish border. Turks don’t want Kurds on their border. Kurds have historically sought an independent state, which the Turkish government strongly opposes. The peace rally bombing has come just weeks away from a re-run of an inconclusive general election. For so long a beacon of stability between Europe and the Middle East, Turkey is fighting Kurdish militants in the east and struggling against violence from Syria. Until now most violence in Turkey took place in the Kurdish areas, but twin bombing at a peace rally close to government and intelligence buildings in the heart of Ankara has caused even Turks to be afraid of shopping centres and open spaces. The residents of Turkey just want a normal life. See also: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/08/12/world/middleeast/turkey-kurds-isis.html?_r=0

In the worst of times God is at work. There’s proof of that with the refugee crisis. Hundreds of thousands have poured into Europe, legally and illegally, some to opened arms to the persecuted, some to closed gates. ‘All sorts of churches and ministries are reaching out,’ says Helen Williams of World Missionary Press. Churches, even in unwelcoming countries, are opening arms, accepting refugees and providing for them. In Hungary several churches went to train stations to give out food, clothing and the Gospel in Hungarian and translated languages to the flood of refugees. Other church groups and a Bible college are also ministering to refugees with the gospel. One of their favourite booklets to give is How to Know God, which was written specifically for Muslims. Almost every person that they gave it to received it gladly. So far they have given away 12,000 Scripture booklets in 10 different languages.