The USA, South Korea, and Japan are proposing a new multinational panel outside the UN to enforce sanctions against North Korea. Russia rejected renewing the UN panel which has monitored sanctions for fifteen years, and China abstained. The new panel, with support from allies like Australia and New Zealand, would aim to continue the UN’s work. Though lacking UN endorsement, it could monitor North Korea more effectively, and could also oversee human rights resolutions on North Korea. US ambassador Thomas-Greenfield is discussing options with South Korea and Japan. Noting that Moscow and Beijing have called for easing sanctions to restart diplomacy and ease humanitarian suffering in the impoverished nation, he urged them to reverse course, and stop rewarding North Korea's bad behaviour.
The USA may need to reassess its relationships with African nations as it faces a potential shortage of critical minerals essential for weapon manufacturing. This comes as it and its allies provide arms to conflict zones like Ukraine and Israel. In both cases, these include advanced missile systems which rely on critical minerals found in Africa. These include cobalt, sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo, antimony from South Africa, and graphite (found in many countries). A study group has warned that a shortage of these minerals could hinder military capability and national security, impacting the arms race with China. In its policy towards Africa, the US has shown renewed interest in the DRC and Zambia through the rebuilding of the Lobito Corridor, a rail and road network which will link the two countries to Angola and straight to the Atlantic Ocean.
USA: Trump on trial, could face many witnesses
18 Apr 2024
On 15 April Donald Trump became the first former president ever to face a criminal trial. He is accused of falsifying business records related to hush money payments to actress Stormy Daniels (who claims that he had sex with her) before the 2016 election. Prosecutors allege Trump reimbursed his lawyer, Michael Cohen, for the payments and falsely labelled it as a legal fee. Trump pleaded not guilty and called the case a ‘witch hunt.’ New York judge Juan Merchan has named over forty potential witnesses, including many former associates, including Cohen and Rudy Giuliani, as well as Trump's family members and former employees. Merchan has also warned Trump of potential jail time for disrupting or refusing to attend the trial without a valid reason. In jury selection, many potential jurors are being ruled out because they could not be impartial. What is not clear is whether this trial will influence the result of November’s presidential election: see
Unite US, led by Tonya Prewett, is spearheading a wave of student baptisms at public universities, beginning with Auburn University and expanding to three other universities, each witnessing hundreds of baptisms. The movement, fuelled by Prewett's vision to address student struggles, saw about 5,000 students at its first event with 200 baptisms. Emphasising follow-up, Unite US collects contact details of baptised students for spiritual support through local churches and ministries. Many participants report transformative experiences, including overcoming depression and addiction. Keynote speakers like Jonathan Pokluda note a rising revival among college students, seeking a deeper, daily faith beyond routine church visits. This revival trend, mirroring the spontaneous Asbury Revival, signifies a profound shift towards personal faith and active community engagement among university students.
From prison to Jesus' mission of second chances
11 Apr 2024
‘Arrested at 8 and abandoned as a child, I turned to crime, leading to an eleven-year sentence at 19. In prison, my cellmate, a devout Christian, introduced me to the Gospel. Eventually, I accepted Jesus, and my faith grew, especially in solitary confinement. Post-release, I faced many hurdles common to the 1.9 million incarcerated in the USA, with over 450,000 re-entering society annually. They have to grapple with problems like finding employment and housing. After my release at 26, I worked minimum-wage jobs, pursued education, and obtained a master's in professional counselling. Now with Prison Fellowship, I long for the redemption of the incarcerated. Despite the stigma and legal barriers hindering re-entry, support and resources are crucial for successful reintegration. Churches and organisations can play a vital role, as they did in my life, offering practical and spiritual support. My journey reflects the transformative potential of faith and community in offering a second chance to those who have been in prison.’
The British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) have reported that nearly half of UK businesses plan to raise prices soon, despite overall inflation pressures easing. Their survey, covering 4,800 firms, found 46% expecting to increase prices, 51% planning to maintain current prices, and only 3% foreseeing a reduction. This pricing trend is linked to economic challenges affecting business investment, which remains sluggish. A significant factor is the higher labour costs, particularly in the hospitality and manufacturing sectors; 77% and 76% of firms respectively cite it as a major influence on pricing decisions. Additionally, the survey indicates a stagnant landscape for business investment. Most firms reported no change in their investments in new equipment and machinery this quarter: only 24% have increased their investment, while 16% noted a decrease.
New migraine drug recommended for NHS use
11 Apr 2024
Atogepant, an oral medication for preventing chronic and episodic migraines, may soon be accessible via the NHS in England. This treatment, poised to benefit up to 170,000 people, is especially for those unresponsive to other medications or unable to take injections. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends it for patients who have tried and found no relief with three different medications. Clinical trials have shown its effectiveness in some adults. Migraines, often marked by severe pain, dizziness, and light sensitivity, can last several days. Atogepant is meant for daily use to prevent both chronic (over 15 times a month) and episodic (4-15 times a month) migraines. Initially, it will be prescribed by specialists in secondary care. The Migraine Trust has welcomed this development but stressed the need for swift access, citing past difficulties in accessing new treatments due to limited awareness among doctors and long specialist waiting lists.
Downing Street is considering plans to allow faith schools in England to select all pupils based on religion, repealing a 2010 cap. This cap requires faith-based free schools and academies to allocate half their places without considering applicants' faith, mainly in oversubscribed areas. The proposal to lift it, popular among many Conservative MPs, faces opposition from secular groups and educationalists. High-level discussions involve key figures like Will Tanner and James Nation, indicating the move could feature in the Conservative Party’s next manifesto or be enacted before the next general election. Education secretary Gillian Keegan supports the repeal, which particularly impacts Catholic schools. The policy was originally a compromise with the Liberal Democrats to support the free schools programme and prevent the rise of hardline religious schools. Conservative proponents argue that the cap has limited the growth of faith schools, especially Catholic ones.