Anti-government protesters have clashed with supporters of President Luis Arce in Bolivia’s capital La Paz, amid an economic crisis and political power struggle. Former president Evo Morales, once a close ally of Arce, has led a week-long, 220-km ‘March to save Bolivia’, demanding cabinet changes and threatening further protests. He has accused the government of corruption, economic mismanagement, and protecting drug trafficking. Arce and Morales are now vying to lead Bolivia’s long-dominant party Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), ahead of the 2025 presidential election. Their division has sparked street violence, leaving 34 people injured. Morales, seeking a political comeback after his 2019 ousting, has widespread support among poor and indigenous Bolivians, who represent almost half the country’s population. The country’s economy has been hit by dwindling natural gas revenues and lack of investment. It is unclear what will happen next.
Sri Lanka: new president elected
26 Sep 2024
Anura Kumara Dissanayake has been elected as Sri Lanka’s new president, marking a shift in leadership following the country’s worst financial crisis in decades. Dissanayake, 55, from the Marxist-leaning JVP party, won 42.3% of the vote, defeating the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe and opposition leader Sajith Premadasa. Wickremesinghe, whose austerity measures were key to economic recovery, finished third with 17%, while Premadasa secured 32.8%. Dissanayake campaigned as a candidate for change, promising anti-corruption measures, lower taxes, and pro-poor policies. He also pledged to dissolve parliament within 45 days and address the $25 billion debt in consultation with the IMF. His victory comes as Sri Lanka’s economy shows signs of recovery, with inflation dropping and growth expected for the first time in three years. However, the continued high cost of living remains a pressing issue for voters, many of whom hope Dissanayake will bring relief.
Global: UN outlines 56 actions for the future
26 Sep 2024
The UN General Assembly has adopted a ‘Pact for the Future’, a 42-page blueprint aimed at uniting the world’s 193 nations to tackle pressing global challenges like climate change, artificial intelligence, escalating conflicts, inequality, and poverty. The pact was introduced at a two-day summit convened by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said his purpose was to ‘bring multilateralism back from the brink’. The pact outlines 56 actions; one would be to reform the Security Council so that Africa, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America are more fairly represented. It also includes ‘the first agreed multilateral support for nuclear disarmament in more than a decade’, and commits the UN to initiate a global dialogue on AI governance. Other key issues include responses to pandemics, empowering youth, and advancing gender equality. Guterres called on world leaders to turn promises into real actions which make a difference to the lives of the world’s more than eight billion people.
Pastor Damon Atkins was arrested earlier this year while reading Bible verses aloud on a sidewalk outside a Pride event in Reading, Pennsylvania. A police officer confronted him, accusing him of trying to provoke the crowd. Despite Atkins asserting his First Amendment rights, he was quickly handcuffed and removed from the scene. The charges against him were later dropped, and he received a full acquittal in court along with compensation. His legal defence was taken up by attorneys who argued that his arrest was a clear violation of his constitutional right to free speech and religious expression. 'Police have been put on notice that, if someone is speaking peaceably, you need to acknowledge those rights,' the attorney said. Atkins remains resolute in his mission to share God’s truth, viewing this experience as part of the growing hostility toward biblical values in society. His story has become a rallying point for Christians concerned about freedom of religion and speech in America.
Global Day of Prayer for America - 22 September
20 Sep 2024
The Global Day of Prayer for America is scheduled for 22 September, with the goal of sparking a nationwide revival. Participants are invited to join an online prayer meeting from 7:00 to 10:00 am (EST), featuring leaders from around the globe. This event focuses on uniting believers to seek a Christ-awakening, where the Holy Spirit ignites a passion for Jesus and spiritual transformation sweeps across the country. Dr Jason Hubbard emphasises the urgent need for revival in American churches, communities, and families, highlighting the spiritual stagnation and division currently present. The call is for extraordinary prayer and intercession, recognising that true revival brings societal transformation and comprehensive change. The event underscores that revival is not merely a series of meetings but a deep, God-driven movement marked by humility, repentance, and a hunger for God's presence. It is a call for America to be saturated with the power and glory of God, bringing revival from coast to coast.
New safe zones outside abortion clinics
20 Sep 2024
From 31 October, safe zones around abortion clinics in England and Wales will take effect, prohibiting protests within 150 metres of these facilities under the Public Order Act. The new law, which received royal assent in May last year, aims to prevent harassment, intimidation, or obstruction of women seeking abortion services, as well as clinic staff. It is now illegal to engage in behaviour that intentionally or recklessly influences someone’s decision regarding abortion services. Silent prayer may also fall under this ban, a contentious point raised by anti-abortion groups who argue it infringes on their rights to freedom of expression and religious belief. Campaigners advocating for the ban, such as the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, argue that it is necessary for ensuring the safety and dignity of women. The maximum penalty for violating the law will be an unlimited fine. See
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has warned that poor maternity care in NHS hospitals could become 'normalised' without urgent action. A report based on 131 inspections between August 2022 and December 2023 found that 48% of maternity units were rated as 'requires improvement' or 'inadequate’, while only 4% were rated as 'outstanding’. The report highlights systemic issues across NHS services, echoing previous high-profile investigations, such as the Ockenden Review into over 200 baby deaths at Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital. The CQC emphasised that the problems identified are widespread and not limited to a few hospitals. The lack of proper equipment, space, and safety measures raises significant concerns about the potential normalisation of serious harm in maternity care. Health secretary Wes Streeting expressed his dismay, stating that childbirth should not be an experience women fear or look back on with trauma. The report stresses the need for immediate reforms to ensure the safety and dignity of women and newborns.
Pharmacists in England are being balloted for potential 'work-to-rule' action due to a growing funding dispute. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has called for a £1.3 billion increase in funding, warning that pharmacies are being pushed to the brink by a decade of real-terms funding cuts. The ballot could lead to actions such as shorter operating hours, reduced services, and ending free deliveries of medications. The NPA emphasised that pharmacies are struggling to provide safe care, with 1,500 closures over the past decade. While the NPA is not a trade union, meaning that the ballot is advisory, the result could lead to action starting before Christmas if the majority supports it. The department of health acknowledged the strain on pharmacies, stating they are essential to making healthcare more community-focused. It also promised to accelerate the rollout of independent prescribing to improve access to care.