Church Issues

• Leah Sharibu reportedly killed by Boko Haram: The Christian schoolgirl, kidnapped by the Nigerian Islamists along with 109 other girls, was the only one not released, as she refused to recant her faith. In a hostage video released this week by the militants, a kidnapped aid worker claims that Leah has now been killed. Read more here. Also this week, PM Boris Johnson has pledged to act to support believers around the world being attacked for their faith. Read more here.
  
• UK Church in rare show of unity - against ‘no deal’ Brexit: Seven Christian denominations have written to the new Prime Minister asking him to change his position on a ‘no deal’ Brexit, arguing that the poor will be hit hardest. Read more here.

World Scene

• Gendercide in India leaves 132 villages with no girls: Concern is growing about sex-selective abortion, after 216 births in a three-month period in one area saw no baby girls born at all. Millions of women are missing from India’s population due to the practice. Read more here.
  
• US House condemns BDS movement: In a show of bipartisan support, the House overwhelmingly voted in favour of an anti-BDS resolution, snubbing Ilhan Omar’s attempt to drum up support for the anti-Semitic movement. Read more here and here. The House also passed two other bills, both strengthening US ties with Israel. Read more here.
  
• Netflix shares plunge 10% and subscriptions dip after pro-life boycott: The media giant’s backlash against pro-life laws passed in Georgia and other states precipitated a boycott from pro-lifers which may be doing real harm to the corporation. Read more here.

Israel & Middle East

• Iran hints at possibility of negotiations: President Rouhani has hinted at a possible tanker swap with Britain and indirect talks with the US, after Britain has led EU nations in pushing back at Iran’s recent actions in the Gulf. Read more here and here.
  
• Palestinians announce end to all agreements with Israel: PA President Abbas is reportedly tearing up all agreements with Israel, including security co-ordination. He has made similar threats in the past but they have not been implemented. Read more here. Also this week, well-known Saudi blogger Mohamed Saud was spat at and verbally abused on Temple Mount by a number of Palestinians, simply for having dared to visit Israel. Read more here.

Events / Job Opportunities

• Positions available at Right to Life: A number of permanent and part-time positions are available with the pro-life campaign group. Deadline for applications is 5pm, 6 August 2019. Find out more here.
• 'I Am John Wesley' performance, Saturday 31 August, Lincolnshire: A free Gospel-centred play by Sh'ma Kingdom Drama, using drama and dance to tell the story of the Wesley brothers. Broughton Village Hall. Click here to find out more.