29th September 2026

A massive explosion rocked the town of Mansouri in the Tyre district  of Lebanon this morning. It is understood the explosion was carried out by Israeli occupation forces. The Israeli military said in a statement that it had completed an operation in Mansouri where it dismantled "more than 600 terrorist infrastructure sites" and "eight underground routes". Lebanese authorities accuse Israel of systematically destroying villages in the south, including homes, schools, places of worship and water and electricity infrastructure. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Lebanon's Prime Minister, Nawaf Salam, yesterday in Washington in an attempt to get an agreement between Lebanon and Israel aimed towards a peace settlement. Lebanon wants to see an Israeli withdrawal as a first step, while Israel wants Hezbollah disarmed first, leading to a stalemate in talks. Speaking during the 81st session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York, yesterday, Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf strongly condemned continued Israeli attacks on countries in the Middle East, particularly Syria and Lebanon.

Loving God, our hearts go out to our neighbours in Lebanon suffering violence and death as a consequence of hostilities with Israel. We ask your loving care for all who mourn the deaths of people they love and grieve for the destruction of communities where precious memories were made. In these times of turmoil and strife, move among the international leaders who can influence the situation so that peace may prevail. May your love and grace bring hope to the hopeless, heal the wounds of conflict, and bring unity to neighbours, allowing a desire to live in peace to flourish among the people.  We pray that in southern Lebanon your will shall be done as it is in heaven. Loving God, we pray in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

The humanitarian aid organisation, Christian Aid, has launched a new investment vehicle designed to finance businesses helping communities adapt to climate change. The Christian Aid Resilient Futures Fund (CARFF) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Christian Aid, with a separate board and investment committee. The fund is intended to provide capital to businesses whose activities can help communities respond to climate-related challenges while supporting local economic activity. The fund aims to build £20 million in assets by 2030. Its first phase will invest mainly through selected specialist impact fund managers, alongside a smaller direct-lending portfolio. Christian Aid has already finalised partnership agreements with impact investment managers Talanton and BlueOrchard. Initially, CARFF will focus on climate-vulnerable emerging and frontier markets, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa supporting smaller businesses and financial intermediaries working in areas that can strengthen local climate resilience.  These areas include climate-smart farming, renewable energy, clean water and local food systems.  Patrick Watt, Chief Executive of Christian Aid, said: "Climate change is placing increasing pressure on the world's poorest communities. But local businesses are already creating solutions that can help communities withstand climate shocks and build stronger local economies. Too often they cannot access affordable finance to grow. This fund will help change that.  Private investment is a critical part of the funding mix. Christian Aid continues to advocate for governments to fulfil their commitments to adaptation finance. But we also want private investment to play its part in helping the world's poorest people build a climate-resilient future."

You can find out more here.

Lord, we worship you.

we honour and adore you,

How great is your Holy name!

You are creator of all things.

You are the source of all life and love.

We praise you that you care for each one of us.

You give us each new day

with opportunities and responsibilities.

You give us treasures of science and art.

You have blessed us

with the variety of ordinary human goodness.

We praise you for homes, food, family and friends,

and for all your blessings upon us.

Above all we praise you for sending Jesus Christ

to be the Saviour of the world.

We lift his name up high

for he has opened the gates of heaven

that all may go in.

Eternal God, we worship you.

we honour and adore you.

Amen.