Iraq: ISIS continues to give believers ultimatum, ‘convert or die’
ISIS has been giving non-Muslims in Iraq three options - leave, convert or die since June. Only 25 Christians remain in Mosul; 9 have converted to Islam, and the rest are paying a tax for non-Muslims. Now ISIS has given these 16 Christians one week to decide to either convert, leave or die. Justin Welby said Christian persecution in Iraq is ‘off the scale.’ Many refugees are sheltering in Ankawa, a predominantly Christian suburb in Erbil. Local Christian volunteers are serving breakfast lunch and dinner to more than 1,000 refugees, 216 of them live in the church's courtyard. Furthermore, for the past 7 weeks the city of Amerli has been completely surrounded by ISIS militants. The UN called for action to prevent the massacre of Turkmen living there. Ask God to protect the 36 tribes of minority people groups living in Iraq. See
Armenia: Nagorno-Karabakh conflict still alive and dangerous
There has been escalation of tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan with violence on the contact line causing deep concerns of renewed fighting between the two countries who have been at loggerheads since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The border region became part of Azerbaijan, but the predominantly Armenian population sought unification with Armenia, leading to the 1991-1994 confrontation when 25,000 died. Since 1994 a volatile cease-fire has existed. The two countries have no diplomatic relations and are technically still at war. Armenians are forbidden to enter Azerbaijan. 40 clashes between the Nagomo-Karabakh conflict lines are reported each year. In July, Azerbaijani armed forces renewed attacks against Armenian defence positions. In early August 19 soldiers were killed. On Tuesday Moscow expressed regret over unresolved fighting that is still claiming more lives. See
Nigeria: Scores more killed
In the early hours of Monday morning scores of people were killed by Boko Haram militants shooting sporadically on the residents of Gamborun Ngala, a community which shares its border with Cameroon. A survivor, Abdulfatah Ibrahim, said that many of the residents fled to a neighbouring community for refuge in Cameroon as the attackers threw explosives into their houses. ‘I was in the mosque when the shooting started. We fled to the bush for safety. More than 70 people fled to Cameroon.’ Local media reported that Boko Haram was increasingly expanding its control in the country`s northeast region.
Ukraine: All-out war v peace process
2,000+ people have died in fighting between Ukrainian forces and separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk. On Tuesday evening the Ukrainian and Russian presidents talked face to face, but there appeared to be no breakthrough. Poroshenko said a roadmap would be prepared to end fighting. Although Putin would assist a dialogue he said stopping the fighting was a matter for Ukraine. The two leaders agreed to further consultations between Ukraine's and Russia's border guard agencies. Back in Russia the Moscow Times reported a statement by the ruling United Russia party stating a ‘thin line’ separates the two countries from an all-out war, and this risk has prevented Russia from sending aircraft to protect its borders from what it claims is rocket fire against its territory by Ukrainian forces. See
France: Government reshuffle removes opponents of economic reforms
A new government without a natural majority in parliament and little popular support will attempt over the next two years to impose the economic reforms which France has resisted for two decades. If anyone needs to be comfortable being unpopular, it's President Hollande. Officially the administration that took office Tuesday (the fourth government of his 27-month presidency) will be a band of like-minded individuals loyal to the courageous, reformist line of the President and his Prime Minister Manuel Valls.however, in practice it means that opponents of economic reforms have been removed. The French leader has had some terrible polls recently - fewer than 20% of voters believe in his ability to turn the economy around. If growth rebounds Mr Hollande could recover too. But things could also get worse - confidence in him could ebb further, the in-fighting could continue, and his programme could become stuck in the National Assembly. It looks like rough seas ahead for the new government. See also:
Ukraine: All-out war v peace process
2,000+ people have died in fighting between Ukrainian forces and separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk. On Tuesday evening the Ukrainian and Russian presidents talked face to face, but there appeared to be no breakthrough. Poroshenko said a roadmap would be prepared to end fighting. Although Putin would assist a dialogue he said stopping the fighting was a matter for Ukraine. The two leaders agreed to further consultations between Ukraine's and Russia's border guard agencies. Back in Russia the Moscow Times reported a statement by the ruling United Russia party stating a ‘thin line’ separates the two countries from an all-out war, and this risk has prevented Russia from sending aircraft to protect its borders from what it claims is rocket fire against its territory by Ukrainian forces. See
France: Government reshuffle removes opponents of economic reforms
A new government without a natural majority in parliament and little popular support will attempt over the next two years to impose the economic reforms which France has resisted for two decades. If anyone needs to be comfortable being unpopular, it's President Hollande. Officially the administration that took office Tuesday (the fourth government of his 27-month presidency) will be a band of like-minded individuals loyal to the courageous, reformist line of the President and his Prime Minister Manuel Valls.however, in practice it means that opponents of economic reforms have been removed. The French leader has had some terrible polls recently - fewer than 20% of voters believe in his ability to turn the economy around. If growth rebounds Mr Hollande could recover too. But things could also get worse - confidence in him could ebb further, the in-fighting could continue, and his programme could become stuck in the National Assembly. It looks like rough seas ahead for the new government. See also:
A little girl's mountain miracle
Just above the hustle and bustle of downtown Dallas stands a place called Prayer Mountain. It's the site of mysterious healings and answered prayers. For example; Vivianna Ruiz. At the age of 6 she faced a diagnosis of leukemia. Ruiz recalled, ‘I was in the first grade when I was diagnosed and as you can imagine our life just kind of completely crashed. You feel so sick from the cancer and then the chemo - it kills everything, not just the cancer.’ The doctor said, 'There is nothing else we can do.’ Around the same time, a family friend convinced Ruiz's mom to bring her to Prayer Mountain. ‘Pastor Robert had everyone come and they all laid hands on me and prayed for me. I was asleep through all of it and when I woke up my mom says I was completely better, a new little girl, ‘Ruiz said. Thanks to that ‘miracle on the mount’ the entire family eventually came to know Christ.
Sri Lanka: Gospel goes into dark places
An indigenous ministry in Sri Lanka is going house-to-house telling the good news of Jesus to anyone who will listen. The area is influenced by various cults, sorcery, witchcraft, etc. In one particular coastal town, a small congregation was able to collect enough funds to buy a small piece of land and build a 12’ x 20’ hall with a cement floor and a coconut leaf thatch roof. They now have started special evening meetings in their jungle area where the people are hungry for the Word of the Lord.
A little girl's mountain miracle
Just above the hustle and bustle of downtown Dallas stands a place called Prayer Mountain. It's the site of mysterious healings and answered prayers. For example; Vivianna Ruiz. At the age of 6 she faced a diagnosis of leukemia. Ruiz recalled, ‘I was in the first grade when I was diagnosed and as you can imagine our life just kind of completely crashed. You feel so sick from the cancer and then the chemo - it kills everything, not just the cancer.’ The doctor said, 'There is nothing else we can do.’ Around the same time, a family friend convinced Ruiz's mom to bring her to Prayer Mountain. ‘Pastor Robert had everyone come and they all laid hands on me and prayed for me. I was asleep through all of it and when I woke up my mom says I was completely better, a new little girl, ‘Ruiz said. Thanks to that ‘miracle on the mount’ the entire family eventually came to know Christ.