19th August 2026

A day after US envoy Jared Kushner concluded a trip to Israel that failed to progress President Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza an Israeli airstrike has killed at least six Palestinians in Gaza. Israel said it had carried out an airstrike on Hamas commanders and several other militants, one of whom had taken part in the Hamas-led 7 October 2023, attack. Gaza medics said that as well as the six dead, 14 others were wounded when the Israeli plane fired two missiles at a small café inside a fishing harbour in western Gaza City.

Loving God, we are sad and concerned that the people in Gaza continue to be under attack from Israel.  We are concerned that the recent talks have failed to make a significant difference and that people continue to live in fear.  We ask your care and compassion for those who mourn, and thank your for all who, at risk to themselves, seek to provide humanitarian support within Gaza. May the people there not be forgotten. May the international community continue to seek a way to bring this conflict to an end. Forgive that so many are being harmed. Help us to use our energy, resources and time to give people life, rather than to kill, maim and destroy.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

A recent study by Queen Mary University of London followed more than 3,400 primary school children in London and Luton to examine the impact of ultra low emission zones (ULEZ) on children's' lung development. The research provides what scientists believe is the strongest evidence yet that local clean air zones can help reduce some of the harm caused by pollution during childhood. Six to nine-year-olds attending primary schools in London's ultra low emission zone were engaged in the study.  They were followed for five years, comparing them to similar children (in terms of socio-economic background, physical activity and ethnicity) in Luton.  In Luton, there is less pollution than London but it had a similar mix of pollutants.  The children were given a lung function and capacity test in the year before ULEZ came into London and for each of four years after. Initial results showed children's lungs in London were smaller in capacity than those of children in Luton. At the end of the study the children's lung capacity reached near identical levels in both groups.  Prof Chris Griffiths, a senior author on the study, commented that "the speed of catch up in lung capacity in the London group was surprising and impressive. This shows an ambitious clean air zone can drive pollution levels down, rapidly restoring children's stunted lung growth."

Glory be to you O God.

Glory to God in the highest.

You spoke and brought creation in to being.

You looked and saw that it was good.

You are the great creator,

the King of kings

You made human beings from the dust of the earth

and breathed life into us.

Glory be to you O God most high.

You are enthroned above all things.

Angels and all the company of heaven

praise your glorious name.

We praise you for all your blessings.

We thank you for your Son Jesus Christ.

We are glad that you live within us by your Holy Spirit.

Blessing and honour be yours

eternal, loving, merciful God.

Glory be to you O God.

Glory to God in the highest.