26th July 2026

United Nations Development Programme chief Alexander De Croo, the former prime minister of Belgium, had said that the EU must be ‘proactive’ in funding global development programmes, rather than making reactive responses to crises. Germany is Europe's second-largest bilateral aid donor, but its government's 2026 draft budget confirms a further cut to official development assistance in favour of increases in defence spending to meet new Nato commitments. The UK is similarly moving funding away from development into military weaponry.  The latest UK aid allocations, published this month, show bilateral support to some African countries will be cut by as much as 90 per cent by 2029.  Aid to the Democratic Republic of Congo, which is currently in the midst of an Ebola outbreak is to be reduced by 29%, and aid to Lebanon falling by 58%.  De Croo said that defence spending, if not complemented with development, is “not going to be very effective”.  Cuts in USAid have resulted in humanitarian organisations closing of thousands of health facilities and the loss of tens of thousands of frontline jobs seriously impacting upon health support and a sharp rise in violent conflict across parts of Africa that had previously relied most heavily on USAid funding. 

Loving God, you ask us to love our neighbours wherever they may live and whoever they are. Forgive us for the way we prioritise our spending and give little thought to the needs of others.  Forgive us that we withdraw life sustaining humanitarian funds so we can buy weapons that kill maim and destroy. Forgive us that we organise the world in such a way that we threaten one another and so use our resources to protect ourselves from others rather than to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, and heal the sick.  Move among the leaders of the nations that they may grasp their global responsibilities to the weakest and most vulnerable. We thank you for the work of charitable organisations such as Christian Aid, MSF and Water Aid that continue to work with the world's poorest and those most in need.  Help us to love our neighbour, to be compassionate, empathetic, and generous, just like the Samaritan in Jesus' parable. Help us remember that what we do for the least of people we do for Christ himself, and that what we fail to do we fail to do for him. In the name of our Saviour your Son Jesus Christ we pray.  Amen.

A team of runners from Cassells Fitness Studio in Glasgow have completed a gruelling 500km relay from John O'Groats to Glasgow to raise funds for Beatson Cancer Charity. They undertook the incredible challenge in memory of Eilidh McHugh, a 22-year-old from Hamilton who tragically died in 2017 after a short battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Stephen Cassells, Alan Lowe, James McKay, Jack Sloss and Ethan Harris left John O'Groats at the top of Scotland at 4am on Monday. They ran continuous 5km relay legs over two days before arriving at Cassells Fitness Studio in Glasgow at around 8.30pm on Tuesday, 21st July.  Jack Sloss added: "The Speed Project was an emotional rollercoaster. The last 16 hours were the toughest, battling tiredness and fatigue when it felt like it would never end. Despite many of the team never having had the opportunity to meet Eilidh, they were inspired by the stories shared by her mum, Elaine, and so volunteered to undertake this epic event. Morag Cunningham, Director of Fundraising at Beatson Cancer Charity, said: "We are incredibly grateful to everyone at Cassells Fitness Studio for taking on this phenomenal challenge. “Completing a 500km relay over two days is an outstanding achievement, and every mile reflects the team's commitment to making a difference for people affected by cancer."

You can find out more about Beason Cancer Charity here.

Loving God, you created the universe and all that is in it.

You created human beings in your image,

gave us life

and those gifts that make each one of us unique.

When we try to think of you our minds reach their very limits,

so we praise and thank you.

Psalm 105:1-4

 Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;

make known among the nations what he has done.

Sing to him, sing praise to him;

tell of all his wonderful acts.

Glory in his holy name;

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

Look to the Lord and his strength;

seek his face always.