23rd October 2026

More than 340 homes and 20 livestock sheds in Tibet's northern city of Nagqu have been destroyed by a magnitude-7 earthquake, which has killed at least 16 people and injuring 54. The quake struck at around 10:33 pm local time (1433 GMT) yesterday, with its epicentre in a county in Nagqu, northern Tibet, China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC) reported. China's national broadcaster CCTV said  that it was the biggest earthquake in the region in the last five years.  More than 1,600 people from the local county were deployed for rescue efforts. Supplies including 1,000 prefabricated housing units, around 3,000 tents and folding beds, as well as flashlights and winter clothing arrived in the region. 

Loving God, our hearts go out to our neighbours in the Nagqu region of Tibet. Bring your love, consolation and compassion to all who grieve the death of people they loved and the loss of homes, livlihoods, and communities. Bless the medical teams working with people who were injured in the destruction.  May they recieve excellent care and make good recoveries.  We ask your protection for all searching for survivors, all making buildings safe, and all seeking to restore power and other utilities. We thank you that aid support is already deployed. May this devastating disaster bring communities together as they support one another through trauma and share practical support.  In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

UNICEF and global vaccine group Gavi said yesterday that they have reached an agreement to cut the price of the Mosquirix malaria vaccine by about 40%.  This is expected to generate around $50 million in savings between 2027 and 2029 and will bring the price of the vaccine down to €5.50 ($6.16) per dose.  Four vaccine doses reduces malaria cases by about 75 per cent when administered seasonally in areas with high seasonal transmission, Gavi said. The agreement could help to protect up to 1 million more children.  Leila Pakkala, director of UNICEF’s Supply Division said, “This agreement is an important step towards protecting more children from malaria bey expanding access to life-saving vaccines where they are needed most.  At the same the time it sends a strong signal in support of continued innovation, helping to advance development of next-generation vaccines that can further reduce the burden of malaria for future generations.” Gavi and UNICEF also struck a deal last year to cut the price of another malaria vaccine made by the Serum Institute of India by 25%.

A prayer based on Psalms 9 & 10

I praise you, Lord, with all my heart;

I sing of all the wonderful things you have done.

I sing with joy because of you.

I sing praise to you, Almighty God.

You are the Lord, forever King.

You set up your throne for judgment.

You rule the world with righteousness;

You judge the nations with justice.

You take notice of trouble and suffering,

and are always ready to help the needy.

You hear the cries of the oppressed

and the orphans;

You judge in their favour,

so that mortal men may cause terror no more.

You are King for ever;

I praise you, Lord, with all my heart.

Amen.