Eurasia Foundation (EF) has announced the launch of a two-year Justice for Underserved Youth with Disabilities (JUDY) initiative, which promotes the full social, economic, and political integration of youth with disabilities in Armenia and Moldova. EF works with local organisations, international disability rights experts, and youth advocacy experts to amplify the voices of youth with disabilities between ages 18 and 30. Lisa Coll, EF president, says, ‘JUDY addresses the unique challenges faced by youth with disabilities, both because of their age and entrenched cultural stigma around disability.’ While both the governments of both countries demonstrate interest in protecting the rights of people with disabilities, the legacy of Soviet-era policies and cultural stigma often complicate the work of disability rights advocates. Many institutions in both countries view disability as a medical topic, rather than a social and political issue that can change through concerted effort. JUDY will approach these challenges by involving organisations and experts with deep roots in the local disability rights communities. This collaboration will foster more open dialogue, build relationships, and provide support for youth-led initiatives.
The ‘18 Days of prayer for the Hindu world’ initiative has been launched, aiming to unite Jesus followers worldwide in prayer for Hindus from 29 October to 15 November. With an online daily prayer guide available in over thirty languages, the expectation is that millions of people will participate. It features real-life stories illustrating the Holy Spirit's work among Hindus, including healings and breakthroughs in unreached communities. Teams of Jesus followers will conduct prayer walks in cities leading up to the Diwali festival, and readers are invited to pray for these teams using the provided briefings and prayer points. A dedicated prayer guide for young people aged 6-12 is also available. On 12 November, a global day of 24-hour prayer for the Hindu world will bring together believers from various churches and Christian ministries worldwide for online prayer sessions covering key Hindu world cities and regions.
USA: from occult to Christ
02 Nov 2023
Florida resident Yamisbel Garcia has shared her remarkable journey from involvement in the occult to finding faith in Christ. Raised in a nominally Catholic home, she ended up in a relationship with a warlock and even unknowingly ‘baptised’ her son in a satanic temple. It wasn't until she moved to Puerto Rico and began working at a Colombian bakery owned by a devout Christian that she encountered Jesus. Concerned for her son's well-being, who was not developing as expected, she turned to prayer. Her son's improvement after consistent prayer amazed her. However, Yamisbel's life took a dark turn as she faced an abusive relationship. Her prayer life weakened, and she contemplated suicide. Desperate for change, she turned to God, ordered a Bible, and began reading it. Her life was transformed, and after moving to Florida, she found a welcoming church and a female pastor who provided the discipleship she needed. God began working not only in her life but also in the lives of those around her, including her children and friends, who were drawn to her faith. Yamisbel's journey exemplifies the transformative power of faith and the hope found in Christ's redemption.
On 2 November, Storm Ciarán hit the UK and Channel Islands, bringing strong winds and heavy rain as forecasters warned lives could be at risk. Dozens of people in Jersey were evacuated to hotels overnight after wind gusts of up to 102 mph damaged homes. More than 300 schools were shut across southern England while major incidents were declared in Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Jersey. Roofs were blown off, thousands were without power, and some train lines completely ground to a halt. The Port of Dover suspended all sailings, sparking long lorry queues: it later reopened for shipping, but passenger ferries were cancelled. Amber and yellow weather warnings - indicating potential risk to life and property - were in place covering parts of England, Scotland and Wales.
World first AI agreement at UK summit
02 Nov 2023
Representatives and companies from 28 countries, including the USA, China, and the EU, have signed a declaration on AI safety at a summit held at Bletchley Park. This aims to address the risks associated with advanced AI models, particularly ‘frontier AI’ models like those developed by OpenAI, which include large language models like ChatGPT. One notable participant was the billionaire Elon Musk, co-founder of ChatGPT, who regards AI as a risk to humanity: see The declaration seeks to identify shared concerns regarding AI safety risks and develop risk-based policies across countries. The UK government has described this agreement as a ‘world-first’ achievement. However, some experts believe that it lacks concrete policies and accountability mechanisms. They emphasise the need for swift action to establish globally recognised best practices. In addition to the agreement, the UK government announced a £225 million investment in a new AI supercomputer, Isambard-AI, to be built at the University of Bristol. It is expected to be ten times faster than the UK's current fastest machine and aims to make breakthroughs in fusion energy, healthcare, and climate modelling.
The Bank of England has declared that the base interest rate will remain at 5.25% for at least another six weeks. The bank’s governor, Andrew Bailey, emphasised that there is ‘no room for complacency’ regarding persistently high inflation, and cautioned against thinking about rate cuts too soon. He now anticipates slightly lower inflation for the rest of the year than previously projected. Critics argue that the bank has acted too cautiously, and that, with upcoming events like the general election and declining political popularity, inflation risks are on the rise. The shadow chancellor, Rachel Reeves, considers the Bank's forecasts a ‘damning indictment’ of economic failures by the Conservative Party, highlighting the need for alternative growth strategies.
Care homes: infection monitoring
02 Nov 2023
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has introduced the Vivaldi social care pilot, aiming to collect and analyse data from over 500 care homes across England to combat infections. This initiative builds on the success of the Vivaldi study conducted during the pandemic, expanding its focus to a broader range of infections. UKHSA aims to monitor infections such as Covid-19, flu, norovirus, and urinary tract infections in care homes for older adults. This pilot addresses the initial lack of data and surveillance infrastructure in care homes during the pandemic, which left them susceptible to infections. The Vivaldi research aided decisions such as limiting staff movement and advocating for sick pay for care home workers. Through this pilot, UKHSA aims to continue improving the understanding of infections in care homes, supporting their mission to prepare for, prevent, and respond to health threats and ultimately save lives.
Local councillor King Lawal, previously suspended for sharing his religious views on social media, has been reinstated after an investigation by Northamptonshire Council’s standards committee. He had been suspended and removed from various organisations for posting on social media that ‘Pride is not a virtue but a sin’ in response to pride parades. He also wrote about the biblical perspective on pride. Supported by the Christian Legal Centre, Lawal had been preparing for legal action, citing violations of his freedom of speech and religion. The decision to reinstate him has brought relief, and he hopes the Conservative Central Office, still investigating his membership, will follow suit. Lawal expressed surprise at the backlash, emphasising that he was sharing biblical doctrine that has existed for thousands of years. He believes public representatives should not have their speech curtailed and hopes that his reinstatement encourages people to stand up for their beliefs.