Nigeria: Bishop dismissed Islamising fears
Speaking to Aid to the Church in Need, Bishop Kukah of Sokoto, who criticised previous governments’ failure to curb extremist violence and protect Christians, welcomed the new president, Bola Tinubu, and vice-president, Kashim Mustapha, despite fears over them both being Muslims. Bishop Kukah said he has known Tinubu for 20 years and has worked with Kashim Shettima. Referring to the fact that Tinubu is married to a Christian, Shettima said a man who has not Islamised his family will not Islamise Nigeria. Bishop Kukah stressed that politicians should not be assessed by their religion but by their capacity and competence and how they see justice, fairness, and equity, adding ‘Of course, I would like a Catholic president, but he would not govern Catholics, he would govern Nigeria.
Ukraine: War coming back to Russia
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned war is coming back to Russia after drone attacks on the capital Moscow. Mr Zelensky said attacks on Russian territory were an ‘inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process’ of the war between the two countries. Russia's defence ministry said three Ukrainian drones were downed on Sunday, with two crashing into offices. Vnukovo Airport, near Moscow, was briefly shut. In a video address Mr Zelensky said that Ukraine was getting stronger. ‘Today is the 522nd day of the so-called Special Military Operation, which the Russian leadership thought would last a couple of weeks,’ he said. "Gradually, the war is returning to Russian territory - to its symbolic centres and military bases; an inevitable, natural and absolutely fair process.’ Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said again on the 30th July that Moscow would have to use a nuclear weapon if Kyiv's ongoing counter-offensive was a success.
Ukraine: Female front line fighters
Ukrainian women are signing up in growing numbers to defend their country. There are 60,000 females fighting Russia - amidst strong Ukrainian sexist attitudes. 42,000+ have military positions with 5,000 on the front line. Andriana is a Ukrainian special unit sergeant preparing to return to the front line. Many Russian texts and videos report Andriana’s ‘death’ in graphic detail. ‘They published that I died with no legs or hands.’ says Andriana. ‘They are propaganda professionals.’ Female troops also face battles of sexist attitudes within their own ranks. Ukrainian society has a strong opinion that girls join the army to find a husband. Andriana says women have also told her about cases of physical abuse. We can't imagine the scale as few female soldiers will discuss this, so Andriana co-founded Ukrainian Women Veterans Movement, which campaigns for equal rights for female military personnel, and for reforming Ukrainian army legislation to bring it in line with NATO's.
Hundreds pray for the UK in Trafalgar Square
On 29th July, Kingdom Impact Vision International (KIVI), the London Prayer and Worship Festival brought together hundreds of Christians from several denominations to intercede for revival in the UK, to worship and evangelise in Trafalgar Square. The event was preceded by evangelistic outreach in various surrounding areas. Gospel Singer Noel Robison led worship as well as performances from the Neema Choir from Uganda and the Spanish Community Choir. KIVI Ministries has organised similar events in towns across the UK, such as Margate, Walsall and Birmingham. They will also be joining Franklin Graham's evangelistic event in London on 26th August.
