Some of the week's happenings you may have missed.

Society & Politics

• Theresa May continues to advance LGBT cause: Speaking at the Pink News awards dinner, the Prime Minister not only boasted of the Tory record in this regard, but told of her plans to allow people to change gender without medical checks. Read more here. Also this week, journalist Melanie Phillips has slammed the LGBT agenda as ‘cultural totalitarianism’.
  
• New government plans to protect free speech in universities: Under the universities minister Jo Johnson, plans are being made to prevent ‘no platforming’ and ‘safe spaces’ – techniques used by universities to shut down free speech. Read more here.
  
• Battle heats up over Balfour: The Guardian and other liberal news media are joining the chorus of disapproval as the UK prepares to celebrate the Balfour Declaration’s centenary. Read more here.
• 6,000 petition against Golders Green mosque: Protests are mounting against plans to turn the Hippodrome in Golders Green, an area of London with a high concentration of Jews, into a mosque. Read more here.

• Israel has ‘no better friends’ than Christians – says Netanyahu: Addressing the Christian Media Summit in Jerusalem, the Israeli PM thanked Christians around the world for their continued friendship and support. Read more here.
• Israel ceases diplomatic negotiations with PA: the decision comes in the aftermath of the recent reconciliation deal between the PA and Hamas. Israel refuses to continue peace talks until Hamas agrees to recognise Israel. Read more here. Meanwhile, Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar has declared this week that instead of peace, "the discussion now is about when we will wipe out Israel."
• IAF bombs Syrian anti-aircraft battery: The Syrian military has warned of ‘dangerous consequences’ after the Israeli Air Force bombed a Syrian air defence battery on Monday. The battery had fired on Israeli planes on a routine mission over Lebanon. Also this week, a buffer zone of 10-15km has been agreed along the Syria-Israel border, off-limits for Iranian and Lebanese troops - although Israel initially requested a 40km zone.

Upcoming Events

• VFI Feast of Tabernacles celebration, London: Friday 20 October (7:30pm) and Saturday 21 October (10:30am), Emmanuel Centre, Westminster. Join Barry and Batya Segal and guests to celebrate God's faithfulness and provision. £15 per person, children under 12 go free. For more information and to book, click here.
• Commemorating 50 years of the abortion act, London: 2-5pm, 28 October, Emmanuel Centre, Westminster. Join CARE to commemorate the 8.8 million lives lost since the Abortion Act was introduced in 1967. The event will include speakers, music, theatre and prayer. Attendance is free but registration is requested – click here for more details.
• ‘Explore Hebrew’ day course, Oxfordshire: 10am-3:30pm, Saturday 28 October, Wantage. Intensive introductory course to the Hebrew language, for beginners. Led by Melissa Briggs. Registration required by 21 October and spaces are limited. £28 for the day - register by contacting This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
• 'Balfour 100' Centenary celebration, London: 7:30-10pm on 7 November, the Royal Albert Hall. A wonderful evening of music and drama celebrating the Balfour Declaration. Tickets from £10 - click here for more details and to book.
• Foundations North Conference, Matlock: 24-26 November, Willersley Castle Hotel. Theme: The Hebraic Jesus. Speakers to include Prophecy Today's Paul Luckraft. For more details and to book, click here.