Society & Politics

• Premature babies’ survival rate improving: At the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, the survival rate for babies born at 24 weeks (the current limit for abortion) is now 80%, and up to 60-70% for babies born at 23 weeks, compared to 25% in 2006. Read more here. A new poll shows that the majority of Brits do not support further liberalisation of the abortion law.
  
• Christian teacher suspended for ‘misgendering’ a pupil: A teacher from Oxfordshire has been suspended for saying ‘well done girls’, when one of the two girls in question identifies as a boy. Read more here. Meanwhile, a Christian couple from Canada have been told they cannot adopt because of their religious beliefs on gender and sexuality.

World Scene

• Over half of religious hate crimes in the US against Jews: New statistics from 2016 show that anti-Semitic attacks make up the majority of religion-based hate crimes in the USA. Read more here.
  
• Disturbing levels of anti-Semitism in France: In a helpful report, journalist and author Giulio Meotti surveys the Islamisation of France and the impacts this is having on its Jewish population. Read more here.
  
• Ex-Google executive launches church of AI: The new ‘religion’ will not only worship technological progress and artificial intelligence (AI), but will look to use AI to create a godhead. Read more here.
  
• Muslim posing as Christian teacher attacks school director: The Ugandan Christian school is being subjected to a strategic campaign by local Muslims. The director sustained considerable facial injuries after being hit with a blunt object. Read more here.
  
• The richest 1% own half the world’s wealth: The new study also finds that this vast inequality has only increased since the financial crisis of 2008.

Israel & Middle East

• Russia declares Iranian presence in Syria legitimate: Russia’s Foreign Minister made the remark on Tuesday, effectively rejecting Israeli concerns about Iran’s proxies in the region. Netanyahu has pledged a zero-tolerance attitude to this ongoing threat. Read more here, and watch a useful update from Israeli Christian commentator Amir Tsarfati here. Meanwhile, the Saudi Arabian crown prince is warming to the idea of co-operating with Israel to counter the threat of Hezbollah.
• Increase of rock-throwing attacks in Israel: There has been a notable rise in the number of incidents of Palestinian Authority residents throwing rocks at Israeli vehicles and citizens, in what is attempted – and sometimes successful - murder. Read more here and here.
• Iran turns down Israeli aid after earthquake: Watch Netanyahu’s offer here. It was ‘immediately’ rejected. Meanwhile, the quake has been a wake-up call for Israel, which is overdue a major quake, with warnings being issued that the country is not properly prepared. Read more here.