Argentina: 13 dead after intense storm
21 Dec 2023
An intense storm in Argentina left at least 13 people dead and others injured in the southwestern port city of Bahía Blanca. Winds reached up to 140 kilometres (87 miles) per hour in the city on 16 December, and by the next day at least 300 people had been evacuated. The city council said that the situation caused by the storm was a catastrophe, reporting multiple injuries, some extremely serious. The mayor declared three days of mourning, saying: ‘I want to reaffirm our solidarity with the families and loved ones of the 13 deceased people.’ He reminded citizens of the importance of keeping safe by staying home, adding: ‘We are still in an emergency situation, with electrical risk and risk of falling trees and structures.’ The city’s emergency teams received over 100,000 calls about downed trees, power lines and signs, among other damage. President Javier Milei said that his cabinet is working with provincial and municipal authorities to help the victims and respond to the damage.
Japan: notable increase in attacks by bears
21 Dec 2023
In Japan, a huge surge in bear attacks has been linked to climate change. Already in 2023 there have been 212 attacks, compared to 158 in 2022; six people have died. Rising temperatures and diminishing food sources in the bears' natural habitats have pushed them into human-populated areas. Experts say this alarming trend highlights the profound impact of climate change on wildlife behaviour and ecosystems. According to local authorities, the number of bear-related incidents, including attacks and sightings, has reached an unprecedented high. Climate change has disrupted their hibernation patterns and reduced their natural food supply, forcing them to search for sustenance in unfamiliar territories. The environment minister has pledged to help affected communities, saying: ‘We are considering providing emergency assistance to local communities in response to their needs, such as surveying and capturing bears living in the vicinity of human settlements’.
Christmas food traditions
21 Dec 2023
Roast turkey and Christmas pudding? Not if you live in Finland, where the traditional dish is porridge made with rice and milk, topped with cinnamon or butter. In Barbados no Christmas is complete without a baked ham decorated with pineapple and sorrel glazes, a rum cake, and a dish which combines pigeon peas, guinea corn flour, herbs, and salt meat. On Christmas Eve in Poland, many families share an oplatek (an unleavened religious wafer), each person breaking off a piece. Marinated steaks and boerewors sausages serve as the main course in South Africa, and gingerbread features in countries such as Norway and the Netherlands. Perhaps most unexpectedly, families in Japan head out for Kentucky Fried Chicken, either ordering their boxes months in advance or standing in two-hour-long queues – a tradition which resulted from a wildly successful marketing campaign in 1974.
Peace is a Person: Jesus - by Peter Henderson
14 Dec 2023
‘Read Philippians 4:4-9. We live in an age of frenetic energy, overstimulation and scattered senses. Politics, war, social media and all the loud voices tend to drown out our few, precious moments of quiet reflection. Peace is elusive. We often live with a sustained internal anxiety compounded by the external hostilities and conflicts that seem continually camping on our doorstep. But peace is not the absence of anxiety or chaos; it is the transformative power of God’s grace in the midst of the storm. Recently it dawned on me that the little phrase in Philippians 4:5, “the Lord is near,” isn’t a superfluous insertion, but actually the key to understanding the whole of what follows. The peace of God can guard you because the God of peace is near. Peace is a Person: Jesus, our Prince of Peace. The presence of Jesus in our midst permits us to name the anxieties that plague our souls and present them into his capable hands. He equips us with thanksgiving to see beyond the dire circumstances that cause our grief and to trust in the goodness of God despite the chaos we see in the world. He empowers us with a gentle spirit; the ability to live peaceably with others in a world of strife. Pray for peace in the world where there has been warfare and bloodshed. Pray for peace internally where anxiety and fear have been in control.’
The Animated Story of Jesus, set for a December 2025 release, is an innovative animated version of the celebrated Jesus Film. This project, spearheaded by Florida-based director Dominic Carola, is not a remake but a new visual interpretation of the world’s most-translated film. The vision for this film, unveiled in Seoul, Washington DC, and Kampala, has attracted talent from major studios like Pixar and Disney. Carola, with experience on Disney films like Mulan and The Lion King, leads a team of top artists using advanced technology like the Unreal Engine to bring the story to life. This technology will enable the depiction of historical sites like the Temple and Robinson’s Arch in virtual reality, augmented reality, and the Metaverse. Carola views animation as a universal language that transcends cultural barriers, making the story of Jesus accessible to children worldwide, regardless of location or electricity availability. The project, considered a significant Bible study by Carola and his team, is supported by the Jesus Film Project, a large outreach organisation. He acknowledges the immense prayer support and feels a sense of protection and team spirit in this endeavour.
Sir Jeffrey Donaldson, the DUP leader, seems to be cautiously moving towards a deal that could see his party return to Stormont. He acknowledges the final stages of negotiation as the most challenging, hinting at internal party disputes. This development follows the collapse of Northern Ireland’s government in February 2022 over post-Brexit trading arrangements, known as the Irish Sea border. The key issue is the proposed UK Internal Market Act amendment, ensuring Northern Ireland businesses can access the UK market. However, this primarily addresses goods moving from Northern Ireland to Great Britain, not the reverse, which involves checks and paperwork under the Windsor Framework. The DUP appears open to some checks to prevent criminality and smuggling. Additionally, measures to reinforce Northern Ireland's union status, such as a new East-West council, are being discussed, but their decision-making power is uncertain. The government is eager for a quick decision, with a potential financial incentive of above £2.5 billion. If no agreement is reached soon, secretary of state Chris Heaton may need to take decisive action, potentially concluding negotiations with the DUP and revealing the proposed deal.
The NHS is confronting escalating A&E wait times as it faces one of its most difficult winters. In England, only 69.7% of patients were seen within the four-hour target last month. Ambulance delays have worsened, with one-third of patients experiencing waits of more than 30 minutes at hospitals. The Association of Ambulance Chief Executives (AACE) reported significant ambulance service delays, leading to 149,000 lost hours and potential harm to 37,000 patients. The College of Paramedics highlighted the urgent need for investment in ambulance services and emergency department improvements. Despite preparations, the NHS's situation remains challenging compared to last year. The Health Foundation notes that its performance this winter depends on weather and seasonal viruses. Lib Dem spokeswoman Daisy Cooper criticised the government for inadequate preparation. NHS England's medical director and PM Rishi Sunak acknowledged the challenges, mentioning government efforts in early planning and funding to enhance A&E, ambulance services, and patient discharge processes.
The Bank of England has maintained its interest rate at 5.25% for the third consecutive meeting. This decision reflects the Bank's stance that borrowing costs need to remain high for an extended period to combat inflation, which is still well above the target rate. Unlike the US Federal Reserve, which hinted at potential rate cuts next year, the Bank of England, led by Andrew Bailey, suggests that the UK is not yet in a position to consider such reductions. Bailey expressed that it is too early to speculate about cutting rates, emphasising the need for more progress in controlling inflation. The decision was not unanimous, with three members of the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) arguing for a rate increase, but they were outnumbered by the six others. Despite faster-than-expected inflation drops and signs of economic weakness, the Bank is cautious about reducing rates too soon, fearing a resurgence in inflation. Bailey noted that while significant progress has been made in reducing inflation from over 10% in January to 4.6% in October, there is still a journey ahead to reach the 2% target.