President Sultan al-Jaber has denied allegations that the UAE plans to use the COP28 climate summit to negotiate oil and gas deals with other nations, as reported by the BBC on 27 November. Leaked briefing documents indicated the UAE's intention to discuss fossil fuel agreements with fifteen countries during the summit. The documents revealed proposed talking points for various countries, including China, Colombia, Germany, and Egypt, regarding fossil fuel collaboration. Mr Jaber, who is also the CEO of UAE's state oil company, Adnoc, and renewables business, Masdar, dismissed the allegations, calling them false and inaccurate. The controversy raises concerns about the intersection of climate goals and fossil fuel interests. The hope is that COP28 will help limit the long-term global temperature rise to 1.5C, which the UN's climate science body says is crucial to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. But that will require drastic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions - a 43% reduction by 2030 from 2019 levels.

Tajikistan is a beautiful mountainous country; the Tajik language is related to Iranian. After gaining independence in the early 1990s, the country endured a tribal-based civil war that resulted in significant loss of life. Despite having untapped mineral and hydro-electric potential, the economy has never fully recovered from the conflict, poverty is widespread, and it is Central Asia’s poorest nation. Islamic influence has grown, with the construction of impressive mosques and changes in clothing styles. The Church experienced growth in the 1990s but has since stalled, and Christians represent only 0.1% of the population. Local leadership is emerging, and church leaders collaborate to address cultural issues and establish guidelines. Sadly, many church members and even some leaders have emigrated for work or in hopes of a better life. Nevertheless, we praise God for each Tajik believer. Previously dominated by Russian culture and language, the church is now taking steps towards establishing its own identity.

The information minister has declared that attacks on several locations in the capital, Freetown, were in fact a failed coup attempt led mainly by bodyguards of the previous president, Ernest Koroma. On 26 November they attacked a military barracks and a prison, freeing over 200 prisoners, but by the next day calm had been restored by the security forces, with most of the attackers killed or captured. President Bio remains unharmed. Sierra Leone, which is still recovering from a 1991-2002 civil war in which more than 50,000 were killed, has been tense since Bio was re-elected in June. The result was rejected by the main opposition candidate and questioned by international partners including the USA and the EU.

Prime minister Anthony Albanese has issued a national apology to survivors of the thalidomide scandal and their families, marking the government's first acknowledgment of its role in the tragedy. Thalidomide, initially a sedative but widely used as a morning sickness drug in the 1950s, led to severe birth defects in at least 10,000 babies globally. A report in 2019 revealed that 20% of cases could have been prevented with earlier action. Survivors have long sought acknowledgment and compensation, pointing to the examples set by Canada (in 1991) and the UK (in 2010). 140 survivors have registered for a financial support programme which gives a one-off payment of £260,000 each, with subsequent annual payments of between £2,600 and £30,000. Mr Albanese has now reopened the application process for those who might have missed it previously.

In October we prayed for the presidential election in Ecuador. Now millionaire Daniel Noboa has been sworn in as president, marking a significant shift in the country's political landscape. A businessman with no prior political experience, he surprisingly won the snap election which former president Guillermo Lasso called to avoid possible impeachment. He will serve only 18 months, the remainder of Lasso’s term. Once considered one of the safest countries in the region, Ecuador has seen violence explode in recent years; there was an unprecedented increase in bloodshed, and drug violence has led to some 3,600 murders so far this year. Noboa has said he will target the violence by tackling unemployment, but also implement a state of emergency, suspend some citizen rights such as freedom of movement, and deploy the military to the streets. There is a considerable sense of uncertainty and anticipation surrounding his presidency.

READY: Your prayer has power! James 5:16 One simple prayer for someone in need can impact their eternity. SET: One encounter changes a life: 'Today, I asked the gas station cashier how her day was going so far. She responded with OK. I asked if I could pray for her. She looked a bit shocked but quickly responded, sincerely, “Yes, you can”. With tears in her eyes, she asked for prayer for her anxiety. After I prayed, she grabbed both my hands and thanked me. I asked her if she knew if she was going to heaven. She said: “Yes!” I asked how she knew and she responded, “I want to go there because my dad and Grandpa are there”. I explained how we can know if we are going to heaven, and I explained the Gospel to her. I asked, “Now that you know, is there any reason that you wouldn't want to ask Jesus for his free gift of salvation?” We prayed together, and she accepted Christ as her Saviour today.' GO: Pray for the opportunity to pray for someone today!

On 21 November David Pytches, co-founder of New Wine, died after a sustained period of illness. David and his wife Mary started New Wine in 1989, seeking to help churches experience renewal in the power of the Spirit. Their ministry has touched many lives over the years. John and Anne Coles, who led New Wine for many years after David and Mary, have said: 'David entitled his memoirs “Living on the Edge”, and we thank God for the way in which he lived like that and showed us and countless others how to do so also. He humbly, lovingly, and courageously pioneered aspects of church life and mission in the power of the Spirit, which not only changed his own church and parish but also became models for hundreds of church leaders and churches around the world. This included his pioneering of New Wine as both a summer gathering inspiring thousands of church members and a network of church leaders for mutual encouragement in ministry. His love for Jesus and the Bible, his commitment to personal holiness, his persistence in prayer, his personal prophecies, and his willingness to give away everything with which God blessed him were an inspiration to us personally, and we will miss his role in our lives as a true “Father in God”.’ Read the full article in the link below.

In his Autumn Statement on 22 November, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announced a significant cut in National Insurance from January, from 12% to 10%. However, due to previous tax changes, many workers might not see substantial benefits. He also raised the state pension by 8.5% and universal credit by 6.7%. Hunt claimed the Government had stabilised the economy, allowing for tax cuts aimed at boosting growth ahead of the next year's general election. Labour criticised the NI cut as insufficient compared to previous tax increases by the Conservative government. Hunt also made a tax break for business investments in new equipment permanent, touted as the 'biggest business tax cut in modern history.' Despite these cuts, the overall tax burden is set to reach a 70-year high. The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) revised growth forecasts downwards and projected a delay in the return to pre-pandemic living standards until 2027/28, citing prolonged inflation and higher interest rates. The NI reduction, seen as a significant move, led to speculation about an early general election.

On 22 November Jeremy Hunt unveiled a new Back to Work Plan, focusing on helping disabled individuals, those with long-term health conditions, and the long-term unemployed. The plan enhances four different support programmes, and also the WorkWell service, introduced in the 2023 Spring Budget, aims to assist nearly 60,000 long-term sick or disabled people. However, the plan includes stricter DWP sanctions for those able to work but not engaging with Jobcentre services or refusing work. Failure to engage could lead to the closure of their benefit claims. While the Chancellor highlights a balance of support and consequences, Disability Rights UK (DR UK) criticises the approach, arguing that employment barriers for disabled individuals lie in societal issues and lack of employer support. It stresses the absence of evidence supporting the effectiveness of sanctions and emphasises the need for support and adjustments for the employable while protecting those who cannot work from sanctions. DR UK advocates for investment in the benefits system, fairer structures, and prioritising the wellbeing of disabled and long-term sick individuals.

The Government has allocated £5 million in seed funding to the Fleming Centre, a new initiative led by Imperial College London, to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This funding forms part of a broader investment to strengthen the UK's life sciences sector. Set to open in 2028 in the hospital where Sir Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic, the Fleming Centre aims to address the global challenge of AMR, which causes over one million deaths annually. AMR occurs when microorganisms develop resistance to treatments like antibiotics, posing a significant public health threat. The centre is committed to placing society at the forefront of solving AMR. Jeremy Hunt emphasised its role in inspiring future world-changing innovations, and Professor Lord Darzi highlighted the importance of this funding in developing the centre and addressing this urgent challenge. See