17th October 2026

Israel appears to be fighting a war against Palestinians using hunger and malnutrition as a weapon in Gaza and the West bank. At least 466 Palestinians have died of malnutrition and starvation since 2024, with children accounting for one-third of the deaths, the Gaza Health Ministry said on Friday, Malnutrition was also driving up rates of anaemia among pregnant women to 61 percent in 2026, up from 41 percent before the war began in October 2023. Nearly 4,000 pregnancy losses were recorded in the first half of 2026, more than three times the number recorded in the preceding six months. As winter approaches more than 1.4 million Palestinians, 67% of Gaza’s population is expected to experience crisis-level food insecurity. In the West Bank Israeli settlers have attacked Palestinians and have destroyed olive plantations in an attempt to deny the Palestinians of a harvest this year and a livelihood in the future. Masked settlers were observed wielding clubs and other weapons as they attacked Palestinians attempting to harvest their olives yesterday. Journalists were also attacked resulting in a female Washington Post journalists being taken to hospital and having her camera stollen. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the incident was "under investigation", however a BBC analysis published earlier this week identified 254 incidents in which the Israeli military has been accused of killing or injuring people in Gaza, Lebanon, the occupied West Bank and Israel that the Israeli authorities have said they were investigating, but have no public outcome.

Loving God, we cry with all who are being attacked, abused, denied food and livelihoods across Palestinian lands in Israel. We ask for your loving care for all in the Israeli government.  Fill them with your Holy Spirit that they will not degenerate into abject inhumanity but open their eyes to the trauma people are living with across the land. May they act to bring law and order to places degenerating into lawlessness. Guide the international community to uphold international agreements and resolutions.  May they engage with the Israeli government in a spirit of peace in order that peace will come to this troubled land. We pray too for the mental wellbeing of all filled with hate and all performing heinous acts upon others made in your image.  May your enduring command to love neighbour and to regard the foreigner living in the land as one of the native born be lived out in the lives of all.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

An annual sheep shearing event in Angelsey, off the north west coast of Wales has raised more than £70,000 for charity. Since it began in 2012 the event has raised £450,000 for a variety of charitable causes. This year, £72,000 was raised in support of Wales Air Ambulance, Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, and the DPJ Foundation. There was a recent presentation evening held in Llannerch-y-medd, where charity representatives gathered to accept their donations.  Alun Jones, chair of the Cneifio Cylch committee, said: "Something that started as a bit of fun over 30 years ago has developed into a really important event in the Ynys Môn farming calendar. Our fundraising has grown through activities including shearing competitions, an auction of promises, and live entertainment – with a range of charities benefiting over the years. It’s incredible to think that all this happens on one Saturday in August."  Elaine Orr, North West Wales Regional Fundraising Manager for Wales Air Ambulance, said: "We are enormously grateful to Cneifio Cylch and everyone involved for their remarkable generosity and continued support.

This year’s donation alone will help us attend another seven emergencies involving people in life or limb-threatening situations." Emyr Davies, accepted a donation on behalf of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, said: "I want to say a huge thank you to Cneifio Cylch ... this is about community and the importance of coming together to do something worthwhile."

Loving creator God

how wonderful are the works of your hand.

How marvellous is your creation.

We praise you for

the beauty and magnificence of the earth.

We give you glory for the variety of plant and animal life.

We praise you for all your blessings;

for food and water,

for friendships and community.

We thank you

that you are our strength in times of trouble.

Lord God you are wonderful, mighty, and powerful,

yet you are merciful and loving,

sheltering us under your wing.

We magnify your Holy name

for you have provided for us

even when our earthly life is over.

All praise and glory be to you

eternal God.  Amen