Global: Banking scandal
Authorities in 203 countries are considering examining HSBC's actions in helping 100,000+ wealthy individuals avoid paying tax. In the UK the Public Accounts Committee plans to investigate HSBC's former Head. There have been calls for action in the US, Belgium, France, Argentina and Switzerland. An American Senate member has asked the Government to reveal what it knew about the scandal. In Belgium a judge may issue international arrest warrants for directors of the Swiss division of HSBC. France has launched an investigation and its Prime Minister has promised more action both at home and at a European level. Swiss politicians are asking for regulatory investigation. HSBC faces criminal investigations in many countries but not in the UK where it is based. People use legal off-shore accounts to hide cash from tax authorities but deliberately hiding money to evade tax is illegal.
Ukraine: Some facts to pray into
At the time of this week’s Prayer Alert publication Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko will be discussing the war in his country at an EU summit. Lithuania believes they should supply weapons to Ukraine during the civil war. Many are undecided. A ‘worst-case scenario’ facing Europe was outlined by a former US ambassador to Ukraine. He said, ‘I think that those who argue against helping Ukraine defend itself against a much bigger and stronger aggressor do not understand the strategic stakes.’ Lord Ashdown is urging the West to use ‘military diplomacy’ while avoiding direct conflict. Many are saying that countries must stand up to Russia over Ukraine, or Europe could descend into a major war for the first time since 1945. The Estonian President compared Western inaction against Russia with the appeasement of Adolf Hilter in 1938. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond accused Mr Putin of ‘acting like some mid-20th century tyrant.’ See also:
Hundreds feared dead after boats sink off Italy
An estimated 300 people are feared dead after attempting to reach Italy from Libya in three inflatable rafts, the UN refugee agency said after speaking to survivors rescued by Italy's coastguard in the past few days. An Italian tug boat rescued nine people who had been on two different boats on Monday and brought them to the Italian island of Lampedusa on Wednesday morning. They are the only known survivors from their two boats, leaving more than 200 unaccounted for, according to a tweet by Carlotta Sami, the UNHCR spokesperson for Southern Europe. Three boats, each carrying about 100 people, are missing, according to interviews with survivors from two of the boats, Barbara Molinario, another UNCHR official, told the Reuters news agency
Ukraine: Some facts to pray into
At the time of this week’s Prayer Alert publication Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko will be discussing the war in his country at an EU summit. Lithuania believes they should supply weapons to Ukraine during the civil war. Many are undecided. A ‘worst-case scenario’ facing Europe was outlined by a former US ambassador to Ukraine. He said, ‘I think that those who argue against helping Ukraine defend itself against a much bigger and stronger aggressor do not understand the strategic stakes.’ Lord Ashdown is urging the West to use ‘military diplomacy’ while avoiding direct conflict. Many are saying that countries must stand up to Russia over Ukraine, or Europe could descend into a major war for the first time since 1945. The Estonian President compared Western inaction against Russia with the appeasement of Adolf Hilter in 1938. British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond accused Mr Putin of ‘acting like some mid-20th century tyrant.’ See also:
Hundreds feared dead after boats sink off Italy
An estimated 300 people are feared dead after attempting to reach Italy from Libya in three inflatable rafts, the UN refugee agency said after speaking to survivors rescued by Italy's coastguard in the past few days. An Italian tug boat rescued nine people who had been on two different boats on Monday and brought them to the Italian island of Lampedusa on Wednesday morning. They are the only known survivors from their two boats, leaving more than 200 unaccounted for, according to a tweet by Carlotta Sami, the UNHCR spokesperson for Southern Europe. Three boats, each carrying about 100 people, are missing, according to interviews with survivors from two of the boats, Barbara Molinario, another UNCHR official, told the Reuters news agency
Government climb-down after CU free speech concerns
A free speech safeguard has been introduced into a new anti-terror bill, following widespread concerns that Christian Unions and other university societies could face censorship. Warnings about the threat to free speech have come from student charity UCCF, university leaders, a top QC and numerous peers. Under the draft guidance for the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill, university societies would be forced to hand over presentations to be vetted. However, late last night the Government introduced an amendment which requires universities to give ‘particular regard’ to freedom of speech when fulfilling their duty to combat terrorism. It has also committed to rework a paragraph in the guidance which was at the centre of the controversy. The revised guidance will need parliamentary approval before it can be implemented. The Christian Institute welcomed the climb-down while noting that a ‘close watch’ on the guidance was needed ahead of it being finalised. (See also Prayer Alert 04-2017)
'Would you like a beer, or some Holy Spirit?' Pub swaps booze for Bible
The former local has gone from public house to a house of God after residents clubbed together to raise enough funds to buy the dilapidated building. The move came after numbers at two local churches in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, dwindled and parishioners believed the new venue would be perfectly located to attract more people. Last Sunday Stoke Methodist Church opened its doors to a new set of regulars – including many locals who used to drink in old The West End pub. The holy watering hole now consists of an altar, a community cafe, a vestry and a quiet room - where the bar, pool tables and gambling machines once stood. OnSunday Rev Nichola Jones said: ‘It’s not the building that makes a church, it’s the people, and they are all very excited about starting something new'. Jenny Walker, from Penkhull, in Stoke, who used to drink at the pub, added: ‘The transformation is just amazing and unbelievable.’
Government climb-down after CU free speech concerns
A free speech safeguard has been introduced into a new anti-terror bill, following widespread concerns that Christian Unions and other university societies could face censorship. Warnings about the threat to free speech have come from student charity UCCF, university leaders, a top QC and numerous peers. Under the draft guidance for the Counter-Terrorism and Security Bill, university societies would be forced to hand over presentations to be vetted. However, late last night the Government introduced an amendment which requires universities to give ‘particular regard’ to freedom of speech when fulfilling their duty to combat terrorism. It has also committed to rework a paragraph in the guidance which was at the centre of the controversy. The revised guidance will need parliamentary approval before it can be implemented. The Christian Institute welcomed the climb-down while noting that a ‘close watch’ on the guidance was needed ahead of it being finalised. (See also Prayer Alert 04-2017)
'Would you like a beer, or some Holy Spirit?' Pub swaps booze for Bible
The former local has gone from public house to a house of God after residents clubbed together to raise enough funds to buy the dilapidated building. The move came after numbers at two local churches in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, dwindled and parishioners believed the new venue would be perfectly located to attract more people. Last Sunday Stoke Methodist Church opened its doors to a new set of regulars – including many locals who used to drink in old The West End pub. The holy watering hole now consists of an altar, a community cafe, a vestry and a quiet room - where the bar, pool tables and gambling machines once stood. OnSunday Rev Nichola Jones said: ‘It’s not the building that makes a church, it’s the people, and they are all very excited about starting something new'. Jenny Walker, from Penkhull, in Stoke, who used to drink at the pub, added: ‘The transformation is just amazing and unbelievable.’
Prince Charles expresses alarm about radicalisation in Britain
The Prince of Wales has appealed for bridges to be built between faiths as he expressed his alarm at the number of young people in Britain being radicalised. Prince Charles said ‘The frightening part is that people can be so radicalised either by contact with somebody else or through the internet. I can see, I suppose, to a certain extent, some aspect of this radicalisation is a search for adventure and excitement at a particular age.’ In the interview with BBC Radio 2’s Sunday Hour, he also suggested that when he becomes king he may still be sworn in as Defender of the (Anglican) Faith, following years of speculation that the title could be changed to encompass all faiths. He added that he had ‘deep concerns’ for churches in the Middle East and feared there would soon be very few Christians left in the region.