USA: Trump’s version of Twitter
24 Feb 2022A year after Donald Trump was banned from Twitter he launched his own social-media platform, Truth Social, in a limited form, on the US Apple app store. Commentators noted the app had similarities to Twitter. Some of those trying to register were told, ‘Due to massive demand, we have placed you on our waiting list’. Project lead former congressman Devin Nunes said it was expected to be fully operational by the end of March. Created by the year-old Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), Truth Social had previously been made available to 500 beta testers. Truth Social describes itself as a ‘big tent' social-media platform that encourages an open, free and honest global conversation without discriminating against political ideology. Mr Nunes vowed it would be a ‘censorship-free experience’.
A court in Nicaragua has found seven critics of the government of Daniel Ortega guilty of conspiracy in what human rights groups have denounced as a ‘political trial’. Among those convicted are three opposition leaders who had planned to run in the 2021 election. Dozens of government critics were detained in the run-up to the poll, in which Mr Ortega won a fifth term. In a trial held at El Chipote prison behind closed doors, the judges found the seven guilty of ‘conspiracy to undermine national integrity’. The prosecution has asked for sentences ranging between eight and 13 years. This is the latest in a wave of trials against opponents of Ortega. Earlier in February, two of his most outspoken critics - Dora Téllez and Lesther Alemán - were also found guilty of conspiracy in trials dismissed by rights groups as a ‘sham’. Recently, another jailed opposition leader, Hugo Torres, died while awaiting trial.
Former drug dealers on God’s transforming power
17 Feb 2022Two former drug addicts, delivered from their former vices, are now helping others find freedom. Rich Wal said, ‘For the longest time, I was in this never-ending cycle of drug addiction and alcoholism. I just couldn't step out of it. I was living a life of complete and total failure and desperation. It was so, so, so, bad; to the point where you overdose multiple times and you are literally welcoming death.’ Rich and his wife Shay now run Peer Solutions, a behavioural health facility in West Virginia, and minister to over one million followers on Facebook. By the time she was 25 years old, Shay had survived numerous overdoses and multiple suicide attempts. In 2015, after she was arrested on nine drug charges, she turned to God for help. To read their encouraging story, click the ‘More’ button.
USA: Arizona bans abortions after 15 weeks
17 Feb 2022On 15 February the Republican-led Senate in Arizona voted in favour of a bill to ban abortion after fifteen weeks of pregnancy. Senator Nancy Barto, who sponsored the bill, said, ‘The state has an obligation to protect life, and that is what this bill is about. A 15-week-old baby in the womb has a fully formed nose, lips, eyelids. They suck their thumbs. They feel pain. That’s what this bill is about.’ Democrats argue that any abortion ban would disproportionately affect low-income and minority women who are unable to travel to other states with no such restrictions. Doctors who violate the bill could face felony charges and lose their licences. At present, the bill moves to the GOP-controlled State House, which has previously ruled against abortion. If passed, it goes to governor Doug Ducey’s desk to be signed. In the past seven sessions, Ducey, who opposed abortion, has signed every abortion-related bill that has reached his desk.
Storm Eunice: rare red warning
17 Feb 2022The Met Office released a red weather warning (the highest level) for 18 February for parts of south-west England and south Wales as there is a danger to life from flying debris. Gusts of 90 mph would cause significant disruption. Damage to homes, train cancellations and power cuts are also likely. There is a lower level warning for wind in the rest of Wales and most of England. Storm Eunice comes 48 hours after Storm Dudley caused widespread disruption and power cuts in Scotland and north England. Cornwall council warned that the winds will coincide with high spring tides along the coastline, possibly leading to flooding. The storm is likely to be as powerful as the one in 2014 which saw homes evacuated amid widespread floods.
Changing communities - prayers
17 Feb 2022In our communities we see pockets of prejudice and persecution, and in the marketplace we have to watch out for fraud and dishonesty - but, Father, we know you can bring change and establish kingdom values in our land. So we ask You to call, raise up, and anoint men and women to bring transformation to the hard places. May 2022 be the turning point as Your Church delivers love and compassion to deprived areas. Where there is despair bring hope; where there is grief, release Your healing. Father, we ask You to expel the enemy from his strongholds and flood every dark area with your light and power. Release forgiveness, reconciliation and peace to communities experiencing prejudice and animosity, and strengthen Your church as they step out in faith to proclaim freedom for the captives. Let this year be the year of the Lord’s favour as wounds within cultures are healed.
Petition about Pakistani Christian girl
17 Feb 2022Christian MP Fiona Bruce has handed a petition to home secretary Priti Patel, to raise continued concerns about a Pakistani Christian girl, Maira Shahbaz. At just 14 she was kidnapped, forced into marriage and converted; she escaped, only to be forced into hiding after her abductor accused her of apostasy. More than 12,000 people signed an Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) petition calling on Boris Johnson to grant asylum to Maira. ACN’s press officer John Pontifex said, ‘We are extremely delighted that Fiona Bruce has once again taken the trouble to reach out to Priti Patel and make this fresh appeal on behalf of Maira. I have been in touch with Maira almost every day, sometimes talking about her situation. She says to me: “I feel like I am in a prison, I can’t go out, I’m stuck, I don’t have enough to eat. What can you do to help me?”’
‘Transphobic’ six-year-old
17 Feb 2022Parents Sally and Nigel Rowe were warned that if their six-year-old child expressed confusion about another pupil wearing a dress and used incorrect pronouns it would be unacceptable behaviour. A letter from the headteacher and governors said that pupils risked being viewed as transphobic if they showed an inability to believe a transgender person is actually a ‘real’ female or male. The parents have withdrawn both their sons from the school and been granted permission for a judicial challenge to the Department for Education’s (DfE) decision to provide the guidelines to state schools. A hearing is expected within six months, and the DfE is defending the claim. The parents withdrew their eldest son in 2015 after he became confused about another boy wearing girl's clothes. Two years later, they are raising the issue again after their second son was confused about another pupil who identified as ‘gender fluid’, alternating their appearance on various days of the week.