7th August 2026

Yesterday was one of the deadliest days of Yemen's civil war. Houthis militia killed at least 58 government troops in missile and drone attacks. The escalation crossed the border into Saudi Arabia this morning, resulting in 11 civilians being wounded in the southern Najran region. Yemen is increasingly being drawn into the US-Israeli war with Iran, with Houthis increasing their attacks against both government forces and neighbouring Saudi Arabia, a key US ally and supporter of the internationally recognised Yemeni government. 

Loving God,move among the Middle East by the power of your Holy Spirt and bring peace to its peoples. May the relationships between countries improve. Help them to live together as good neighbours supporting one another. May the apparant escalation of hostilities in Yemen result in a reassessment of the pain and suffering war and violence brings to ordianry people, and a desire to bring an end to violent conflict. We ask your blessing, love and care for all who mourn today, all who will live this day in fear, and all who will not sleep tonight worried about the lives and wellfare of their families and communities.   In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

An Australian aviation crew has rescued a US expedition member from a station in Antarctica in a daring midwinter operation in freezing temperatures and total darkness. After an initial delay due to the weather, the Skytraders said it was able to land its Airbus A319 in "extremely challenging conditions" including temperatures of -43C (-45.4F). A husband and wife team piloted the aircraft. It was a "major operation", taking 24 hour, for the plane to be correctly configured in time by engineers and a design team, who fitted a stretcher in the back. Take-off was delayed for another 12 hours while the crew waited for a suitable window in the weather. Once in Antarctica, a snow storm prevented the crew at the station from getting to the runway, which is made of compacted snow and had to be graded and groomed to make it smooth, a six-hour job. The patient was then safely transferred onto the plane, known as Snowbird 1, which carried on to Christchurch in New Zealand, where the patient was treated. He is now recovering well. 

I give praise to you O Lord.

You are clothed in splendour and majesty.

I will sing of your love and justice all day long,

for your love endures for ever.

You are the great creator

who made all that is

from the tiniest atom to the universe itself,

with its galaxies and wonders beyond our imagining.

You are the source of all life and love.

You provide all that sustains us in earthly and eternal life.

All praise and glory, power and majesty be to you holy Lord.  Amen.