27th August 2026

Nepal's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) has said that at least 165 people have died, and a further 826 people are missing as a consequence of yesterday's extensive flash flood on the border of Nepal and Tibet. Many of those still missing are international tourists. According to the US Geological Survey "glacial collapse and debris flow" triggered the floods.  The remoteness of the region and the destruction of bridges is making search and rescue operations extremely challenging, as is getting aid and support to survivors. Heavy vehicles were upended by the avalanche of water, and houses, roads ⁠and power projects swept away. The head of the international Red Cross (IFRC), David Fisher, said “entire villages and market areas have been wiped out”.  

Loving God, hear the cries of your people in Nepal and Tibet struggling wit the aftermath of this glacial collapse. Bring comfort to the people whose home, livelihoods, and communitis have been completely destroyed and washed away, places of precious memory gone for ever. Bring comfort to people grieving the death of those they love and bring healing to all who are injured, and peace to people traumatised. Protect all who are engaged in supporting displaced people, searching for people still alive, securing buildings, or restoring untilities.  Guide the international community to support the humanitarian efforts that through tragedy people might be brought closer together. Show us how, through adversity, people can work for the common good.   In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

Research, based on records of 70,000 people in the US, found that those who had received Shingrix, the current vaccine for shingles, had a 12% lower risk of a cardiovascular diagnosis in the following three and a half years. If confirmed, this benefit would be comparable to taking a daily blood pressure-lowering medication, the scientists said. Dr Maxime Taquet, a clinical lecturer at the University of Oxford, who led the study, said: “If confirmed in clinical trials, vaccinating older adults against shingles could prevent hundreds of thousands of coronary heart diseases, strokes and cases of heart failure worldwide, making it one of the most impactful interventions we could offer to protect both the brain and the heart in later life. The effect might be enormous.” 

Psalm 86: 8-10 & 12-13a

There is none like you, Lord;

no deeds can compare with yours.

All the nations you have made

will come and worship before you, Lord;

they will bring glory to your name.

For you are great and do marvellous deeds;

you alone are God.

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;

I will glorify your name for ever.

For great is your love towards me.