On 20 May, ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan announced plans to seek arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli ministers, and also for three senior Hamas officials. Hamas is charged with atrocities on 7 October and mistreatment of hostages, while Israel is accused of the starvation of Gaza's civilians. Khan, known for his conservative approach, has said that he has not seen compelling evidence that Israeli courts were probing alleged violations of international law). There have been predictable responses from supporters of both sides, but there is a long history of war crime charges facilitating peace by marginalising hardliners. That might help to advance the frustratingly stalled ceasefire negotiations. Within Israel, whose officials’ conduct in Gaza has increasingly made it a pariah state in the minds of many worldwide, the proposed charges will strengthen the movement for a leadership change. Far from an impediment to a ceasefire, Khan’s actions could be a spur.
Myanmar: growing resistance to the junta
23 May 2024
On a scorching day in Karenni state, from a hilltop overlooking an army base, former army captain Nay Myo Zin uses loudspeakers to address soldiers loyal to Myanmar's ruling military aiming to persuade them to defect, claiming that the regime's fall is imminent. The country is at a critical juncture, with the junta’s brutal repression being challenged by ethnic groups and a new generation of insurgents. Over the past seven months, the resistance has made significant gains, capturing up to two-thirds of the country. Since the 2021 coup, which ousted the elected civilian government and imprisoned leader Aung San Suu Kyi, tens of thousands, including many children, have been killed, and 2.5 million displaced. This is an under-reported conflict, not only because of the world’s focus on Ukraine and Gaza, but also because there is no press freedom and foreign journalists are rarely admitted to the country.
South Africa: has the ANC lost its way?
23 May 2024
For years, the African National Congress (ANC) stood as a beacon of hope in South Africa, dedicated to ending white minority rule and championing democracy and equality. Revered under Nelson Mandela, the ANC's transformation from a liberation movement to a ruling political party brought high expectations. However, thirty years later, many South Africans feel disillusioned, believing it has failed to fulfil its promises. Former president Jacob Zuma, ousted in 2017 due to corruption allegations, has returned with a new party, uMkhonto weSizwe, criticising his successor Cyril Ramaphosa, but his disqualification from a parliamentary run due to a criminal conviction has heightened political tensions. The 29 May elections see the ANC struggling to maintain its majority and possibly facing having to form a coalition government - which would mark the most significant political shift since the end of apartheid in 1994.
Luis Abinader has been re-elected for a second term, clinching victory in the first round. The hugely popular president vowed unity and impartial leadership as he declared victory on 19 May, having secured a sufficiently wide margin to win without needing to go to a second-round face-off. His win appears to be an endorsement of his handling of the economy and tough policies towards migration from neighbouring Haiti. ‘Today our country shines with its own light’, Abinader told supporters, pledging to serve as president for all citizens. He called for a country ‘without distinction, without sectarianism, and without party colours’. He also vowed to push through constitutional reform on the continuity of power that would not rely on the ‘personal whim’ of the president in office, and pledged that he would not run again after completing his second term. While opposition parties reported a number of small irregularities, voting in the election largely ran smoothly.
Pete Greig of 24/7 Prayer recently highlighted signs of a stirring spiritual revival. Hundreds of young people from three churches stayed up all night to pray, with Al Gordon noting a unique sense of consecrating love. The next day saw thousands in Trafalgar Square hearing the Gospel, with evangelist Daniel Chand calling it ‘historic’. Sunday at St Aldates, Oxford, was overflowing with young people giving their lives to Christ, overwhelming the church's capacity, with an extraordinary atmosphere. Over Easter, significant spiritual milestones were reported: bumper church attendances, 12,000 baptisms in France, and numerous conversions in churches across the UK and the USA. Societal indicators also show a shift, with public intellectuals advocating for faith, influencers professing faith, and increased media coverage of a religious resurgence. Prayer initiatives in schools and a growing openness to faith highlight this trend. Pete Greig encourages prayer, sharing faith confidently, investing in young people, and participating in events such as the Wildfires Festival to continue fostering this spiritual awakening. See
A pastor is praising God for a miraculous outcome after an F1 tornado tore off part of his church’s roof during a worship service. Around 100 people, including young babies, were present at Crossroads Ministries in Finleyville, Pennsylvania, when the tornado hit, but no one experienced significant injuries. The tornado caused the church steeple to fall and part of the roof to be lost. Rev Ken Barner, in a video message to his congregation, detailed the events, noting that his wife Rhonda was leading praise and worship at the time. ‘I witnessed what I would say is a miracle’, Barner said. He emphasised that God's presence was felt throughout the ordeal: ‘The God who stays stayed with us,' he said. Due to the damage, the church could not meet on Sunday but plans to reconvene at another location the following week. Rhonda described the frightening moment when the lights flickered, and she heard a loud noise, followed by shattering glass and breaking windows. Congregant Lynn Michigan called it the scariest experience of her life. The church community seeks prayers as it rebuilds and recovers from the damage.
Thy Kingdom Come: The Prayer, 19 May, 5pm
17 May 2024
Thy Kingdom Come is encouraging all Christian youth groups across the country to meet on Pentecost Sunday afternoon from 5-6 pm. As part of this session, they can join online with the rest of the nation from 5:15 to 5:35 pm. During these 20 minutes, there will be contributions from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, Rachel Gardener and the team from The Way. This special Pentecost online gathering will conclude with everyone uniting nationally in praying the Lord's Prayer at 5.30 pm. The vision is that 'Together, we can make Thy Kingdom come: The Prayer a moment that resonates across the nation. Let's raise our voices and unite in saying the Lord's prayer with faith that God hears and answers the prayers of His people.' See
UK Cabinet ministers, including Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, are visiting Saudi Arabia to strengthen trade ties amid reports of Riyadh authorising lethal force to clear land for a new desert city. Dowden is leading a 450-strong delegation of British businesses at the two-day summit aimed at promoting economic ties. Downing Street defended the visit after the BBC reported claims of Saudi forces using deadly force to evict villagers for The Line, a 105-mile-long metropolis in Neom. See Rishi Sunak’s spokesman emphasised the importance of the UK-Saudi relationship and confirmed ministers would address human rights concerns. Campaigners criticised the visit, urging an independent investigation into the reported killings. Amnesty International highlighted the need for businesses to assess risks in Saudi Arabia. Dowden announced a new joint task force for higher education cooperation and projected a £3 billion investment from Saudi Arabia to sustain 2,000 UK jobs.