EU ties support for Kyrgyzstan to democracy
The European Union said on Tuesday it would offer Kyrgyzstan's interim government political and economic support if satisfied it was committed to a quick return to democracy. EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said she was encouraged by early signs, including pledges of a new constitution and elections, but underlined the need for the involvement of all parties and ethnic groups. ‘If we are satisfied that the provisional government is committed to a quick return to legitimacy and genuinely wants to join the democratic family, the European Union will be ready to provide the necessary political, financial and technical support.’ Russia and the United States have pledged aid to Kyrgyzstan, where President Kurmanbek Bakiyev was ousted on April 7, but Washington and the EU have not yet recognised the new government. (See Prayer Alert 1610 & 1510)
Pray: against any breakdown and disunity amongst the leaders. (Job.22:21)
Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme resigns
Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme resigned on Thursday after a key Flemish party withdrew its support and toppled his coalition government, a senior minister announced. ‘There was no other choice but for the government to resign,’ Finance Minister Didier Reynders told reporters after the Flemish liberal Open VLD party pulled out of the five-party coalition. Open VLD were frustrated by the failure to solve a long-running dispute between Belgium's Dutch-speaking and Francophone communities.
Pray: for the Belgian peoples as they consider a new Prime Minister that there would be a meeting of minds. (Pr.3:13)
Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme resigns
Belgian Prime Minister Yves Leterme resigned on Thursday after a key Flemish party withdrew its support and toppled his coalition government, a senior minister announced. ‘There was no other choice but for the government to resign,’ Finance Minister Didier Reynders told reporters after the Flemish liberal Open VLD party pulled out of the five-party coalition. Open VLD were frustrated by the failure to solve a long-running dispute between Belgium's Dutch-speaking and Francophone communities.
Pray: for the Belgian peoples as they consider a new Prime Minister that there would be a meeting of minds. (Pr.3:13)
New Evangelical head says revival is 'essential' for European Church
The newly appointed General Secretary of the European Evangelical Alliance says revival is essential for Europe's traditional churches. Rev Niek M Tramper was appointed to his new post at the EEA's annual conference in Turkey on April 22. Rev Tramper, of the Netherlands, said there were many challenges facing the Church in Europe, including the need for greater cooperation between new and traditional forms of Church, a growing Muslim population, and tensions between the rich and poor. ‘The Church and Christian movements need each other in advancing the Kingdom of God,’ said Rev Tramper. ‘Traditional churches cannot continue without revival. Profound theology and missionary zeal are complementary. In places with few historic churches, the EEA is of great value for facilitating the replanting of churches in countries like Kosovo, Albania and Turkey, as well as in Central Asia.’
Pray: that the Lord directs Rev Tramper’s energy and vision in ways that promote Christ’s kingdom. (2Ti.3:9-11)
New Evangelical head says revival is 'essential' for European Church
The newly appointed General Secretary of the European Evangelical Alliance says revival is essential for Europe's traditional churches. Rev Niek M Tramper was appointed to his new post at the EEA's annual conference in Turkey on April 22. Rev Tramper, of the Netherlands, said there were many challenges facing the Church in Europe, including the need for greater cooperation between new and traditional forms of Church, a growing Muslim population, and tensions between the rich and poor. ‘The Church and Christian movements need each other in advancing the Kingdom of God,’ said Rev Tramper. ‘Traditional churches cannot continue without revival. Profound theology and missionary zeal are complementary. In places with few historic churches, the EEA is of great value for facilitating the replanting of churches in countries like Kosovo, Albania and Turkey, as well as in Central Asia.’
Pray: that the Lord directs Rev Tramper’s energy and vision in ways that promote Christ’s kingdom. (2Ti.3:9-11)
Greece: Economy and impact on population
Greece is close to agreeing to a new set of austerity measures, which will affect both the public and private sectors, that would unlock the emergency loans from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund that the country needs to keep its economy afloat. In the private sector, employers who have more than 200 people in their work force would be able to sack 4 per cent of them at once rather than the 2 percent in place now. There will also be a gradual phasing out of the 13th and 14th monthly salaries that employees receive as Easter, Summer and Christmas bonuses, possibly over the next five years. In the public sector, civil servants will lose their 13th and 14th monthly salaries and their supplementary pay,
which has already been cut by 30 percent, will be reduced by another 5 per cent. This would represent savings of 1.7 billion euros, or 0.6 per cent of Greece’s gross domestic product.
Pray: that the spirit of the Greek population will not be broken by these enforced measures. (Pr.10:15)
More: http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100002_29/04/2010_116768
Greece: Economy and impact on population
Greece is close to agreeing to a new set of austerity measures, which will affect both the public and private sectors, that would unlock the emergency loans from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund that the country needs to keep its economy afloat. In the private sector, employers who have more than 200 people in their work force would be able to sack 4 per cent of them at once rather than the 2 percent in place now. There will also be a gradual phasing out of the 13th and 14th monthly salaries that employees receive as Easter, Summer and Christmas bonuses, possibly over the next five years. In the public sector, civil servants will lose their 13th and 14th monthly salaries and their supplementary pay,
which has already been cut by 30 percent, will be reduced by another 5 per cent. This would represent savings of 1.7 billion euros, or 0.6 per cent of Greece’s gross domestic product.
Pray: that the spirit of the Greek population will not be broken by these enforced measures. (Pr.10:15)
More: http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100002_29/04/2010_116768
Survivors of forced marriage go on UK tour
Victims will urge children at risk to tell the authorities of their fears. Their stories are ones not normally made public in intimate detail. In the first scheme of its kind survivors of forced marriages will travel the country in May to describe the ordeals they went through in an attempt to try to persuade communities to abandon the practice. Men and women who were forced to marry against their wishes will visit 12 cities to tell teachers and police officers to be extra vigilant about children going missing during the summer holidays. Each summer hundreds of girls and boys, largely from South Asian communities, travel with their families to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, where they are forced into marriages. Those working to stop the practice say the period just before the summer holiday is always their busiest time of the year.
Pray: for those taking part in this tour, that their voices will be heard. (1Co.16:13)
BBC TV Documentary on marginalised Christians
Christians feel marginalised and pushed out of public life while other faiths are handled with kid gloves, according to a flagship BBC documentary shown on Easter Sunday. The film was presented by Nicky Campbell and featured two cases backed by The Christian Institute: Lillian Ladele, the registrar disciplined for her stance on civil partnerships, and Ben & Sharon Vogelenzang, the Christian hoteliers charged with a crime for criticising Islam. The hour-long programme called ‘Are Christians Being Persecuted?’ investigated widespread claims that Christianity is being sidelined in modern Britain. A poll conducted for the documentary showed that 44 per cent think Britain has become less tolerant of religion. Mr Campbell concluded the documentary asking: ‘So, are Christians being persecuted? No they’re not being tortured or killed like Christians in Pakistan and the Sudan. But a minority believes they are being sidelined and victimised. By the standards of a liberal society that can feel like persecution.’ Watch on BBC iPlayer available until Sunday. See link Highly recommended
Pray: that each one of us will live our lives as a clear expression of our Christian faith and not be ‘sidelined’. (1Th.1:3)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/watch-bbc-tv-show-on-marginalised-christians/
First Christian Share Index launched
Europe’s first Christian Share Index was launched lat week by Stoxx Limited, a global index provider and creator of the leading European equity indices. The Stoxx Europe Christian Index will measure the performance of 533 companies selected from the Stoxx Europe 600 Index according to the values and principles of the Christian religion. According to The Financial Times, companies in the index include HSBC, Nestlé, Vodafone, Royal Dutch Shell and GlaxoSmithKline. It has been formed to enable investors to participate in the performance of European companies which are compliant with Christian moral and social doctrines. ‘With the launch of the index, Stoxx acknowledges the growing number of Christian market participants who wish to invest in accordance with their religious beliefs,’ said Hartmut Graf, CEO. ‘The new index provides a broad representation of European companies who act responsibly on an ethical, environmental, social and economical level; and are therefore inline with Christian values.’
Pray: for Christians everywhere that they will be wise with their finances as thay seek God’s guidance. (Pr.1:5)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/first.christian.share.index.launched/25798.htm