Pakistan: suicide attack kills five Chinese
28 Mar 2024
On 26 March five Chinese nationals and a Pakistani driver were killed in a suicide attack near Besham city. They were en route from Islamabad to Dasu, where a Chinese company is building a hydroelectric dam. Four bodies have been recovered, while two remain unidentified due to burns. No group has claimed responsibility, and Chinese officials have not commented. Chinese investment in Pakistan has faced other threats from armed groups; in 2021, a bus bombing killed 13, including nine Chinese. This was the third attack in a week: on 18 March five separatists attacked a naval base in Balochistan, killing one soldier; all assailants were also killed. The Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility. On 20 March, another BLA attack in Gwadar port killed two soldiers and eight fighters. Gwadar is pivotal to the $62bn China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project.
Senegal's president Macky Sall has hailed the electoral win by opposition candidate Bassirou Diomaye Faye as a victory for democracy. Faye defeated former prime minister Amadou Ba and 19 other candidates in the presidential election on 24 March. International and regional observers have affirmed the election's fairness and peaceful conduct. In an address to supporters, Faye pledged to govern with humility, transparency, and a firm stance against corruption. The priorities which he has outlined are national reconciliation, rebuilding institutions, reducing living costs, and inclusive policy consultations. His victory marks a significant shift in Senegal's political landscape, highlighting the country's dedication to democratic principles and aspirations for positive change under new leadership. Sall's term ends on 2 April.
On 26 March a container ship collided with Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge, resulting in its collapse, leaving six presumed dead and disrupting crucial infrastructure. Interestingly, forty years ago a container ship lost power and hit the bridge, but it stood firm. That prompts questions about whether bridge designs are strong enough to prevent future disasters. Many US bridges, built when container ships were much smaller, lack safeguards against modern, massive vessels like the one involved in the Baltimore incident. Experts suggest that this catastrophe underscores the need to assess the resilience of America's ageing infrastructure against impacts from today's colossal ships. Meanwhile, it has emerged that the crew of the ship issued a Mayday call just before the ship struck the bridge, causing authorities to stop traffic and thus potentially save lives: see
New Zealand: ban on e-cigarettes announced
28 Mar 2024
Responding to concerns over the rapid rise in youth vaping, prime minister Christopher Luxon’s government plans to ban the use of disposable e-cigarettes by minors and increase penalties for anyone selling them to under-18s. Announcing this decision, the associate health minister stressed that e-cigarettes remain ‘a key smoking cessation device’. Retailers will face fines up to 100,000 NZ dollars (£47,000) for selling vapes to minors, and individuals up to 1,000 NZD. Regulations will also prevent e-cigarettes from being sold with images or enticing names that might appeal to young people. This move follows the recent decision to repeal the world’s first smoking ban, passed by the previous government, which aimed to pave the way for a smoke-free generation, after backlash from researchers and campaigners over its risk to indigenous people.
Jesus’ three promises on Palm Sunday
21 Mar 2024
In a world of chaos and declining faith in institutions, Jesus' Palm Sunday message offers a distinct form of peace, contrasting with society's inclination towards temporary fixes like drugs and materialism. Amidst personal trials and imminent crucifixion, he highlighted three crucial aspects of peace. 1) Peace with God: through his death and resurrection, Jesus created a way to reconcile humanity with God, fulfilling his primary mission of establishing peace between mankind and the divine, as Paul articulates in Romans. 2) The peace of God: Jesus advised his followers to focus on noble and truthful thoughts, cultivating a mental discipline rooted in faith. This mindset fosters God’s peace, allowing believers to experience tranquillity despite life’s challenges. 3) The peace of the future: the Bible foretells a future era of remarkable peace following Jesus’ return, where harmony will prevail as prophesied in Isaiah. The ‘peace that surpasses human understanding’ provides comfort and hope in tumultuous times.
Actor Ryan Phillippe revealed a newfound craving for a relationship with God following a spiritual journey sparked by his role in 'Prey’, a film about a Christian missionary couple in the Kalahari desert. After completing the movie, Phillippe delved into religious readings and sought deeper spiritual understanding. Despite success and wealth, he felt unfulfilled and turned to spirituality for peace and satisfaction. He found solace in reconnecting with his faith and exploring the Bible and other religious texts. His spiritual exploration led to significant personal changes, including overcoming depression and addictions. He expressed gratitude for his life's blessings and emphasised the importance of inner reflection in achieving peace and understanding God. Although it is unclear if Phillippe specifically seeks a connection with the God of the Bible, his journey is noteworthy. His openness about his spiritual quest and the positive changes it brought has encouraged others to consider their own spiritual paths.
Christian phone line relaunched after cash boost
21 Mar 2024
DailyHOPE, a free national telephone service providing music, prayers, and reflections from the Church of England, has been relaunched following a significant donation. Initially established in April 2020 to assist older individuals without online access during the coronavirus lockdowns, DailyHOPE became a crucial spiritual resource for many. Run in partnership with Faith in Later Life, it had closed in January 2023 due to funding issues but has now resumed. Faith in Later Life’s CEO has stressed the line's importance, noting its role as a lifeline for older people, particularly during the pandemic when many lost mobility and confidence. With nearly half of the over-65s in the country unable or unwilling to use the internet, DailyHOPE fulfils a vital need. Plans are under way to expand its content and appeal to a broader audience of Christians and older people exploring faith. In 2023, the service recorded over 100,000 calls.
UK inflation has dropped to 3.4%, the lowest in over two and a half years, potentially signalling a Bank of England (BoE) interest rate cut this summer. This decrease, primarily driven by slower food price increases, may lead to cheaper mortgages, providing relief to homeowners. Initially predicted at 3.5%, the February inflation rate was pleasantly surprising, especially as food inflation fell to 5% from 7% in January. The decline supports Rishi Sunak's commitment to reduce inflation, and aligns with the BoE's target of 2%. This news prompted NatWest to lower mortgage rates even before the BoE's decision. Financial markets expect the BoE to maintain the current 5.25% interest rate, but the reduced inflation increases the likelihood of a summer cut, which could significantly lower mortgage payments. However, renters face contrasting challenges, with rental costs rising at record rates due to market constraints. The average UK rent soared by 9% over the past year. As homeowners anticipate potential financial relief, renters continue to struggle with escalating living expenses.