The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced that Namibia has become the first African nation, and the first high-burden country worldwide, to nearly eliminate mother-to-child transmission of HIV and hepatitis B. This achievement is especially notable because Namibia hosts over 200,000 people living with HIV, with the disease disproportionately affecting women. Despite these challenges, the country has achieved nearly universal HIV testing for pregnant women and a robust treatment system, which have reduced transmission by 70% in twenty years. In 2022, only 4% of newborns from HIV-positive mothers contracted the virus, while nearly 80% received a timely hepatitis B vaccine. The WHO has awarded Namibia a ‘silver tier’ for its hepatitis B efforts and a ‘bronze tier’ for HIV reduction. These accomplishments underscore the critical impact of committed leadership and effective public health strategies.
Rescuers are urgently searching for 42 individuals missing after a five-storey apartment building collapsed on 6 May. 33 people have been rescued from the debris, with seven confirmed fatalities. The building was under construction when it collapsed, prompting an ongoing investigation into the cause. Most of the 75 workers originally at the site are still unaccounted for. The rescue operation, which involves lifting collapsed floors, is expected to last up to five days. President Cyril Ramaphosa, expressing sympathy for the families, has called for the investigation to ‘bring closure to the community and prevent a repeat of this disaster’. Over 200 rescuers, including sniffer dogs and heavy equipment, are continuing to search through the now-flattened site.
Japan now has about 8.48 million ‘akiya’, or abandoned homes - over 13% of all residences. They are increasingly common across the country, particularly in rural areas. This problem, exacerbated by Japan's aging population and low birth rates, makes it difficult for the government to rejuvenate rural communities, hampering efforts to attract younger people interested in an alternative lifestyle or investors eyeing a bargain. Some owners, for tax reasons, find it cheaper to retain the home than to demolish it for redevelopment. The government has implemented several initiatives, including financial incentives for families and individuals willing to move to and rejuvenate these rural areas. The akiya market is complicated by high demolition costs and increased property taxes for vacant land, which discourage property development and maintenance. To combat these challenges, local governments operate ‘akiya banks’, hoping to attract buyers with the potential of low purchase costs and the opportunity to refurbish these homes.
Colonel Rabih Alenezi, an exiled Saudi intelligence officer in the UK, alleges Saudi forces have orders to shoot villagers resisting eviction for "The Line," a futuristic megacity part of the $1 trillion NEOM project. Aimed at transforming the Saudi desert into an eco-city and reducing oil dependency, The Line will be two skyscrapers stretching 106 miles, intended to house up to nine million people by 2030. However, current projections expect only 300,000 residents by decade's end with minimal construction completed. The NEOM project has faced significant hurdles, including human rights abuses against local tribes like the Huwaitat, resulting in deaths, arrests, and imprisonments as authorities forcefully evacuate areas for development. Reports from Saudi rights group ALQST corroborate the violent displacements and human rights violations. Despite its ambitious scope, NEOM's viability remains questioned, with setbacks including high staff turnover and operational challenges compounding the controversy surrounding the project's impact on indigenous populations. See
Dear Friends,
I am pleased to be bringing you this personal invitation to three special International Prayer Connect (IPC) initiatives taking place this Pentecost Season.
We appreciate that everyone has local Church services and events happening during Pentecost, and they obviously come first... so do connect with us and sign up as and when you are able to! We appreciate you all!
Please forward this info to your networks and contacts!
Starting 10th May 2024: 10 Days of United Prayers for Revival with a special focus on 10 Jewish World Cities
Firstly, we have partnered with our friends at 10 days to mobilise worldwide prayers for revival in the lead-up to Pentecost Sunday!
During this significant season when we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, will you join millions of Christians around the world in prayer for revival in our lives, revival across 10 unreached Middle Eastern cities and revival and peace in Jerusalem?
During these 10 days, we will pray for revival to break forth in 10 unreached cities across the Middle-East based on the prophecy in Isaiah 19. Each day we will provide a prayer pointer for each of these 10 cities on this Isaiah 19 highway from Cairo back to Jerusalem!
There's also an invite to be praying for 5 friends, family or work-colleagues of ours who don't know Jesus! See the Pray for 5 card.
It all kicks off on Friday 10th May and runs through to Pentecost Sunday - 19th May.
See the Prayer Guide in 30+ languages! A Children's Prayer Guide is also available. (Thanks to 2BC)
Pentecost Worship & Prayers from Colombia
Friday 17th May 21:00 - 22:00 Bogota, Colombia (UTC-5)
Join us live online for a global broadcast from Revival Church, Bogotá, Colombia - as a number of IPC's key Latin American Regional Prayer Council leaders worship and pray for Revival and Awakening!
Dr Jason Hubbard (IPC) and Werner Nachtigal (GO Movement) will lead and introduce powerful prayers for Gospel Movements and the fulfilment of the Great Commission.
Watch the Meeting live on IPC's YouTube Channel!
Global 24HRS Prayer for Pentecost Revival!
Sat 18th May 20:00 - Sun 19th May 20:00 Jerusalem (UTC+3)
Join millions of Christians around the world for 24-hours of Prayers for the Peace of Jerusalem, the Jewish people and the Gospel to reach the ends of the earth!
Each hour, we will be led by hosts from across the continents including several Jerusalem-based churches / ministries.
Pray where you are, in groups, or register to instantly join us ONLINE HERE
These three initiatives present a wonderful opportunity to pray together, exalting Jesus Christ as King throughout the Jewish world, and to ask the Lord of the Harvest to send forth laborers to every unreached people group in key cities and nations!
My prayer is that you, too, will be blessed and filled beyond measure as you participate with us.
Thank you for your partnership in prayer.
Until all have heard!
Dr Jason Hubbard - Director
International Prayer Connect
Thy Kingdom Come 2024
02 May 2024
Thy Kingdom Come 2024 has ignited global excitement, engaging diverse communities worldwide in its ecumenical wave of prayer. The initiative's inclusive reach is demonstrated through activities from Australia to the Solomon Islands, embracing participants of various religious backgrounds. This year's Novena, translated into many languages including Portuguese, Hindi, and Korean, reflects the event’s international appeal. The ecumenical Prayer Journal, now available in Dutch and a special Scottish version with tartan, showcases voices from across Scotland. Globally, beacon events in countries like South Korea and Bangladesh are being planned, along with local activities across the UK, involving continuous prayer gatherings and prayer walks. A highlight for youth on Pentecost Sunday includes regional gatherings and contributions from notable figures like the archbishops of Canterbury and York. An accompanying app offers resources for children and young people, including videos and discussion plans, ensuring broad access to spiritual content.
Neighbourhood Prayer Network - Jesse's testimony
02 May 2024
Jesse shared her testimony of connecting with her neighbours through prayer amidst cultural challenges. Coming from a Sikh background, she has had to navigate her Christian faith amidst family tensions and generational differences. In 2020, during lockdown, one neighbour struggled as her daughter received end-of-life care abroad. Jesse offered support and prayer, which comforted her neighbour and led her to engage with a church community online. Another neighbour faced the potential loss of her husband. Through Jesse’s offer to pray, she found hope and belief in that difficult time. These acts of compassion opened opportunities for deeper conversations. Her conversion story began at the age of 11. She had a picture of Jesus. She was sitting on His knee and he wrote her name in his book. She said, 'Later, in my early 20s, I had another picture where I was stuck in a very deep well and he reached down and offered me his hand, but I had to choose whether I would. I'm glad I accepted his help - that was a turning point in my life.’
Polling stations have opened in England for local elections, with the Conservative Party facing potential heavy losses that might impact Rishi Sunak's leadership. These elections, spanning over 2,600 seats across 107 councils, serve as a significant gauge of the Tories' popularity (or otherwise). Labour leader Keir Starmer, calling them ‘a chance for change after fourteen years of decline’, has highlighted policies which prioritise working people and restore integrity in politics. Previously contested in 2021, these council seats saw the Conservatives at their strongest post-UK Covid vaccine rollout. Current predictions suggest they might lose around 500 seats. There are also contests for ten mayoralties and 37 police and crime commissioner roles, and a parliamentary by-election in Blackpool South following a Tory MP's resignation due to a scandal. Labour hopes to make significant gains, particularly in tightly contested mayoral races in the West Midlands and Tees Valley. The outcome of these elections could trigger a leadership challenge for Sunak if the results are as bad as predicted.