A County Antrim GP practice will only be able to open a branch clinic two half days a week because of a Department of Health (DoH) funding cut. The practice can no longer cover the costs of a full-time service which opened in 2017 to take 1,400 new patients. DoH said additional payments between 2017 and 2021 were temporary, ‘to support the practice for a period of three years to enable them to manage the registration and complete an initial clinical review of these additional patients.’ Dr John McSparran, from the practice, disagrees vehemently. ‘We were never under the impression it was for three years, otherwise we would never have entered the agreement in the first place. We've tried to address this, continuing the service at our own cost. But financially the practice is unviable and can no longer cover the costs of a full-time service.’
MP resigns after porn madness
06 May 2022
Neil Parish, the MP for Tiverton and Honiton, has resigned after admitting he watched pornography twice in the House of Commons. He said it had been a ‘moment of madness: I was not proud of what I was doing’. The first time was accidental after he looked at a tractor website, but the second time was deliberate. Mr Parish appeared emotional as he announced he was standing down after seeing the furore and damage it was causing his family and his constituency. This will trigger a by-election in what is a safe Tory seat. But this story - and others - have damaged Parliament's reputation, and the Conservative Party. Both will be hoping that Mr Parish's resignation will help them start to move on.
Russia trying to encircle Ukraine's east
06 May 2022
Russia has removed forces from areas near Kyiv and is focusing on eastern Ukraine. The battle for Ukraine's old industrial heartland known as Donbas is likely to decide the fate of the Russian invasion. Pray for Ukraine and its allies to prevent Russia annexing Donbas and adjacent areas and claiming the territory as Putin did with Crimea in 2014. Russia’s attacks on the south have triggered a humanitarian catastrophe at the siege of Mariupol. Pray for Ukraine’s ‘best-trained forces’, already there due to the eight-year war with Russian separatists, to hold on to the land. Much of Donetsk and key areas of Luhansk are still in Ukrainian hands The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) says if Ukraine holds on to Slovyansk, Russia's campaign to seize both regions ‘will likely fail’. We can ask God to enable this scenario.
EU ban on Russian energy
05 May 2022
EU countries rely on energy from Russia more than any other nations. Now, after weeks of speculation about how far the bloc would go in imposing economic sanctions that could harm its own member states, Ursula von der Leyen announced, ‘Today we propose to ban all Russian oil from Europe.’ The ban would hit the pillar of Russia's economy by phasing out imports of Russian crude oil to Europe within six months and stopping the flow of refined oil by year's end. It would put enormous pressure on the EU's 27 members to find new energy sources and cope with whatever retaliatory moves Russia imposes in return. Even though the EU relies on Russia more than others to fulfil their energy needs, we can pray for the bloc to support Ukraine and end all funding of Russia's war machine. Pray also for EU citizens to accept the inevitable price rises and potential fuel shortages.
Russia: talking about a nuclear apocalypse
05 May 2022
Vladimir Putin has ominously warned if any country intervenes in Ukraine, Russia will respond with instruments others don’t have. Russian media has been hyping the same rhetoric, bombarding audiences with declarations that World War III is imminent. Every major channel is promoting the idea of an inevitable, never-before-seen war between the Kremlin and the collective West. The ministry of foreign affairs delivered a 60-minute Orwellian broadcast saying that this is not about Ukraine, but about the future world order, which has no room for Russia’s isolation. Recently a TV presenter said, ‘it’s probable everything will end with a nuclear strike; we will go to heaven, while they simply croak. We’re all going to die some day.’ Patriotic citizens are being groomed with the idea that dying for the motherland will skyrocket them to paradise.
USA: abortion debate
05 May 2022
Abortion was made legal across the US after a landmark legal ruling in 1973, often referred to as the Roe v Wade case. However, a leaked document claims that the Supreme Court - the nation's most senior legal body - is now in favour of overturning that right. Abortion could instantly become illegal in 22 states. A decision is expected in late June or early July. Currently many states have restrictions such as requiring young pregnant women to involve their parents or a judge in abortion decisions, or waiting periods between the time a woman first visits an abortion clinic and the actual procedure. Sometimes women have to travel across state borders for an abortion and pay more for them. According to the pro-choice movement, poor women are penalised most by these restrictions. There are nine judges on the Supreme Court; six were appointed by Republican (pro-life) presidents.
Costa Rica: Church needs prayer
05 May 2022
Evangelicals in Costa Rica grew to 15% of the population, and established one of Latin America’s most effective mission movements. But the Church needs prayer. Most churches are good at winning converts, but fail to disciple them well. Pastors survive on minimal incomes with little help and struggle to provide consistent pastoral care. Christians often fall away in difficult times. Pray for effective and sustainable models of doing church and making disciples. The Roman Catholic Church is deeply impacted by charismatic renewal. Some have a living, personal faith in Christ, which has strengthened them. Although 73% of the nation is Catholic, this percentage declines every year, and most Catholics are quite nominal in their faith. Pray for charismatic renewal. Two-thirds of Costa Ricans are under 30. Alcoholism, drug addiction, violence and immorality are rife.
Israel: renewed terror threat
05 May 2022
There is nothing more horrifying than acts of terror. As wars rage and radical terrorists aim to harm those who are unlike themselves, the biggest casualties are often people who wanted nothing to do with the violence. Innocent, everyday people have their lives stolen from them over their heritage and religion. This is what is happening in Israel right now. Radical terrorists have been attacking Israel in recent weeks, and two Arab members of the Israeli police were recently killed by these actions. Iranian groups of Hamas and Islamic jihad are looking to bring violence and war to the streets of Israel, and the result has been renewed waves of terrorism throughout the country. Thousands of people are vulnerable and scared for their lives. We can pray for ‘Vision for Israel’ as they respond to the situation and help victims and survivors of terrorism.