Intense Syrian government shelling and air strikes of rebel-held Damascus suburbs killed at least 98 people, a monitoring group and paramedics said.

A day after Monday’s government barrage, retaliatory shells rained down on the Syrian capital, killing at least one person on Tuesday.

The targeted suburbs, scattered across an area known as eastern Ghouta , have been subjected to weeks-long bombardment that has killed and wounded hundreds of people.

John Pontifex from ACN was recently in Damascus and told Premier News Hour the need for help is overwhelming.

“It’s almost impossible for agencies to meet the needs of the people,” he said. “Our sense is that help is going to have to increase if we are to in any way eliminate the plight of thousands of people who I saw for myself are in incredible poverty… that really brought a tear to my eye.”

He added that people are “understandably extremely afraid” and the situation is “desperate”.

This photo released on Tuesday Feb. 20, 2018 provided by the Syrian anti-government activist group Ghouta Media Center, which has been authenticated based on its contents and other AP reporting, shows a Syrian paramedic, right, treats an injured man who was wounded by the shelling of the Syrian government forces, at a makeshift hospital, in Ghouta, suburb of Damascus, Syria. A Syrian…

Prompted by the ‘beach body ready’ advert in 2015 and statistics from the YMCA that say more than a third of 11 to 16 year olds said they were willing to do ‘whatever it takes to look good’, Bishop Rachel felt body image was an area where Christians really do have something to say.

She told Premier: “Firstly, as a follower of Jesus Christ, I believe every person is valued, precious, made in the image of God and deeply valued by God. Therefore it really concerns me that the messages that particularly young people are bombarded with are about their value coming from their appearance.”

Her second point was that teenagers are already talking about this, so it is easy for Christians to engage with when we’ve got such an appealing alternative: “If the church wants to be connecting with young people, we need to be hearing what their concerns are and this has been subject young people have been really willing to open up about.”

When asked if there is Biblical guidance when Christians feel insecure, Bishop Rachel said there “most definitely is” and cited Psalm 139 and when Samuel is told to anoint the next King and God says he does not judge by outward appearance.

She added that the fact Christians believe God loves them no matter what they look like should be told to non-believers also: “Now, some of the people at the conference would not identity as…

The George Washington “thumb Bible” which paraphrases the Old and New Testaments was originally written by John Taylor, a 16th century English poet.

The full dedication reads: “To his Excellency G. Washington, President of the United States of America. Most hopeful George, into thy hands we give, The sum of that which makes us ever live.

“And tho’ the volume and the work be small, Yet it contains the sum of all in all.”

Less than a dozen copies of the 2 inches by 1.375 inches special edition remain in the public domain.

The book includes a number of early American woodcuts depicting biblical scenes and figures.

Dr Aviad Stollman, head of collections at the National Library of Israel told The Time of Israel: “The term ‘thumb Bible’ refers to abbreviated Bibles like this, which were popular in early 19th-century America, where they were used to educate children.”

The miniature Bible was purchased jointly by the National Library and archaeology, books and Judaica collectors David and Jemima Jeselsohn through a private sale arranged by the Sotheby’s auction house.

It will also be showcased in the National Library of Israel’s landmark new building, currently under construction in Jerusalem. It is scheduled to open in 2021.

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