20th February 2026

Military experts say there are now sufficient US military assets in the Middle East to begin an aerial bombing campaign against Iran. President, said at the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace yesterday that Iran could not have a nuclear weapon and emphasised that “bad things will happen” if the country continued “to threaten regional stability”.  The Iranian government has told the UN Secretary-General that it will regard US bases in the region as legitimate targets if used in any military aggression against Iran. Democratic lawmakers, and some Republicans, have voiced opposition to any potential military action in Iran without congressional approval. California Democrat Ro Khanna has said on social media that, "A war with Iran would be catastrophic. Iran is a complex society of 90 million people with significant air defences and military capabilities." Military experts have indicated that it is not clear what US airstrikes on Iran would achieve.

Loving God, we come to you sharing our concerns for the Middle East.  The world cannot continually resort to violence, and killing as a means of resolving disagreement and disputes. We pray that wisdom and a desire for the concerns of ordinary people will be paramount in the conversations between Iran and the US. May the region be spared further chaos and confusion, death and destruction. Shelter your peoples and protect them from harm. Quiet the clamour for war and guide us towards peace. Where there is fear, division, and a desire for over over others sow seeds of calm and openness, and a willingness to work co-operatively together in a spirit of unity seeking the common good.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Kraków, in Poland, decided to ban coal and wood in home heating, back in 2013. Now over a decade later nearly 6,000 early deaths have been averted, according to an assessment by Marcel Mazur allergy specialist at Jagiellonian University Medical College. As an indication of the air quality improvement the ban has brought to the city, the research has shown that there were 17% fewer cases of asthma and 28% fewer cases of allergic rhinitis in children in 2018 than in 2008.  Anna Dworakowska, a co-founder and director of Polish Smog Alert, said: “It’s a huge improvement.”. Polish Smog Alert is a network of campaign groups that began in Kraków and led a nationwide push to improve the quality of Poland’s air. “Little more than 10 years ago, we had about 150 days a year with too-high concentrations of particulates in Kraków. Now it’s down to 30,” Dworakowska added. Air pollution across the city is expected to continue to improve as the introduction of a low emissions zone covering 60% of the city was implemented at the start of the year, limiting access by high pollution vehicles. Kraków's success has acted as a a catalyst for similar policies across Poland, with citizens and campaign groups driving political action to adopt anti-smog measures and restrict the burning of the most polluting fuels. 

Almighty God, infinite and eternal,

powerful, merciful, wise,

forgiving and loving

I praise you for all that you are,

and for all that you do for the world.

You are the source of all life and love. 

I thank you that you love the world so much

that you gave your only Son,

so that everyone who has faith in him

may not die but have eternal life.

I praise you that your Son,

Jesus Christ,

was born among us,

and that he lived our common life. 

I thank you that he suffered and died for us,

and conquered death

rising to new life,

and that he is always present through the Holy Spirit.

So, it is my great joy

to join with all the company of heaven,

to proclaim your greatness and sing your praise.

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Amen.