The European Commission is considering setting up an age-based authentication system that limits where children can visit online. The system is part of a series of proposals Brussels has put forward to make the net safer for children. It says children are in danger of finding inappropriate material because ways to control where they can go are ‘fragmented’. More details of the authentication scheme will be published on 30 May. In its draft proposals, the commission warns that neglecting protections for children could have a ‘profound impact’ on European societies. It says children's particular needs and vulnerabilities must be addressed so the net becomes a place of opportunities for them. It also notes that a uniform set of protections would help European businesses aiming services at children. (See Prayer Alert 17-2012)

Pray: that these proposals will lead to a system that would protect our young people. (Ps.5:11)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17952259

Austria, Germany and the Czech Republic are dealing with record levels of flooding. Cities in southern and eastern Germany have been on high alert as heavy floodwaters swell rivers including the Elbe which has been rising since Monday lunchtime. In Halle an appeal went out to residents asking for help to reinforce flood defences while Dresden was preparing for water levels 5m higher than normal. By Tuesday afternoon river levels in Prague had begun to fall as floodwaters moved north. Overnight flood barriers on the River Vltava in the south of the country were raised releasing a torrent of water, which had implications on the Elbe. The city of Regensburg has declared a state of emergency. Hungary has also declared a state of emergency. Floodwaters on the Danube are expected to peak there on Thursday. Germany has drafted in the army to help with flood defences. In the Bavarian town of Passau, floodwaters reached a level not seen since the 16th Century, but have now begun to recede.

Pray: for the thousands who have been forced to leave their homes, particularly the farmers, the frail and elderly; pray also for governments and NGO’s bringing relief where roads and bridges have been destroyed. (Ps.18:6)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22752544

Thousands of Spanish families have been forced to turn to aid agency Caritas for help in the midst of Spain's economic crisis. The annual report for the Almeria Branch of Caritas revealed that Spanish families receiving food aid in 2012 outnumbered immigrant families - 4,652 compared to 3,844. Details of the 38-page report were published by the Fides news agency and showed that together, Spanish and immigrant families received more than a million kilos in food aid in 2012. Spain's fortunes could be about to turn a corner after the Bank of Spain estimated recently that the economy contracted by just 0.1% in the second quarter, the slowest rate of decline in nearly two years. But the financial crisis triggered record levels of unemployment and although the number of registered jobless has fallen in the last five months, the unemployment rate is expected to remain above 25% for the next five years.

Pray: for the Spanish government that they will master their financial situation. Thank God for Caritas and the support they have provided for those in need. (Ps.132.15)

More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/caritas.aiding.spains.new.poor/33657.htm

The Vatican launched a major conference today on business ethics, aimed at discussing whether or not unethical practices were at the root of the economic crisis and if ethics can prevent a future collapse, reports Catholic News Agency. ‘As we know from other sectors of society - and also in our own lives - we often ask ourselves questions and make resolutions to do things differently during and after a crisis,’ Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, commented to CNA. The three-day gathering is the co-creation of the Pontifical University Regina Apostolorum and the Fidelis International Institute for Business Ethics, and is aimed at promoting ethical business practices that accord with Catholic social principles. In all, around 100 key figures from business, academia and the Church are present for the ‘Executive Summit on Ethics for the Business World.’

Pray: for all those attending that their ideas will lead to wider use of ethical practices in the business world. (Ex.23:24)

More: http://www.christiantelegraph.com/issue13096.html

Belgian police have cuffed members of a radical Islamist group connected with Al Qaeda, local media reported. One of the arrested is of Algerian origin. This spring he visited Bulgaria, police said. The detainees are members of Ash Shabaab, a Somali Islamist group responsible for terrorist attacks in Somalia and kidnapping of foreigners. Their task was to recruit new members for Ash Shabaab and send them to Somalia for organizing new terror strikes. Investigating officers said that one of the arrested travelled from Belgium, where he had asylum, to Bulgaria this spring. In Bulgaria he met with one of his fellow members from Ash Shabaab. The media do not specify whether this person was a Bulgarian or came to the country from abroad. There is no information about terrorist acts being prepared on the territory of Bulgaria. The group numbering seven terrorists was busted in Brussels and Paris during the last week.

Pray: that the authorities will continue to succeed in arresting radicals and stopping Ash Shabaab from increasing its influence. (Job.6:23)

More: http://paper.standartnews.com/en/article.php?d=2012-09-23&article=40094

Bulgaria held three days of special prayers against suicide and nationwide pessimism after at least seven people set themselves on fire while protesting against poverty and corruption. The prayers were requested by the country's president Rosen Plevneliev who says he wants to help heal the spirit ual wounds of the nation amid growing public desperation. Prayers reverberate throughout churches in Bulgaria, a heavily Orthodox nation. Worshippers remember five Bulgarians who died and two who remain in critical condition by self-immolations that have shaken the conscience of this Balkan nation. Prayers are held by all main Christian churches, including the Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant denominations, as well as the Jewish and Muslim communities.

Pray: that this call to pray by the president will result in healing the spiritual wounds of the nation. (Jer.33:6)

More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22039182

Bulgaria's government resigned from office after nationwide protests against high electricity prices, joining a long list of European administrations felled by austerity measures. Prime Minister Boiko Borisov had tried to calm protests by sacking his finance minister, pledging to cut power prices and punish foreign-owned companies, but the measures failed to defuse discontent and protests continued on Tuesday. Many Bulgarians are deeply unhappy over high energy costs, power monopolies, low living standards and corruption in the European Union's poorest country. At least 25 people were taken to hospital after protesters clashed with police late on Tuesday. ‘I will not participate in a government under which police are beating people,’ Borisov said as he announced his resignation on Wednesday. The premier did not say if a parliamentary election scheduled for July would now be brought forward.

Pray: for the people of Bulgaria that just leadership will be found to replace those currently in authority. (1Ch.21:12)

More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/02/201322073222598897.html

Tens of thousands of people have protested across Bulgaria against poverty and corruption. The latest demonstrations came despite the resignation of the government and promises of early elections. (See Prayer Alert 08-2013) The protests followed earlier massive demonstrations with people shouting ‘Mafia, Mafia’, amid outrage over rising electricity prices by as much as 13 percent in what is the European Union's poorest member state. Protesters blamed foreign companies as well as high level corruption. It gradually grew into a civil unrest challenging the established order. Two weeks ago, clashes between police and protesters left two dozen people injured and prompted Prime Minister Boiko Borisov's centre-right cabinet to quit. He has since been hospitalised with high blood pressure. The government's resignation cleared the way for early elections, to be held on May 12. Yet, Bulgarians have expressed their frustration with politics and what they see as unfulfilled promises of EU membership. The Balkan nation joined the 27-nation block in 2007.

Pray: for the people of Bulgaria as they go through this transition of seeing non-corrupt and just government will be elected. (1Ch.21:12)

More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/26862-news-watch-bulgaria-marches-against-poverty-corruption

Over 12,000 youngsters from some 100 nations have concluded Central and Eastern Europe's first-ever 'Genfest', a youth summit, with a call for a more united and peaceful world. After three days of exchanging ideas on how to realize that utopia, they prayed and listened in front of Budapest's Saint Stephen's Basilica, one of Hungary's largest Roman Catholic Church buildings. During Sunday's open air Mass they were encouraged not to give up their hope and dreams. The Vatican's ambassador to Hungary, the Apostolic Nuncio Alberto Bottari de Castello reminded the participants of this year's Genfest theme: 'Let's Bridge'. He said, ‘Christ is the true bridge between people and God,’ and ‘the Lord wants us to carry out that message as bridges of love towards all people.’

Pray: for all the young people who attended that they will have met with Christ the true bridge between people and God. (Is.42:5-7)

More: http://www.bosnewslife.com/23157-thousands-of-youngsters-seek-united-peaceful-world-in-budapest