Russia: Gas links to Ukraine break down
03 Jul 2015Russian gas firm Gazprom has confirmed that it has again halted gas supplies to Ukraine after a breakdown on pricing talks. It comes a day after Ukraine's state energy firm Naftogaz announced it was suspending gas purchases from Russia. That announcement came after EU-brokered talks aimed at keeping supplies running for three to six months broke down without agreement. Gazprom said it halted the supply because Ukraine did not make an ‘advance payment’ for July's delivery. It is the second time in a year that Russian fuel supplies have stopped running to Ukraine. For the past year, the European Union, which mediated at the price negotiations in Vienna, has forged a series of temporary agreements that need to be renewed every three months. Ukraine consumes about 50bn cubic metres (bcm) of gas per year, producing about 20bcm but importing the rest. On average, Kiev experiences four months a year when the average temperature is below 0C.
Romania is still working to overcome the physical, economic, and emotional damages brought about by 42 years of oppressive totalitarian rule. Much-needed economic reforms were slow to be implemented. Motivation to join the European Union accelerated many changes but corruption and economic problems persist and have left many frustrated. An estimated 25% of Romania's 22 million people live below the poverty line. Romanians claim to be Christian but little evidence is seen in their lifestyles. Romania has one of the highest abortion rates in the world and difficulties from drug abuse, prostitution and pornography reflect the emotional state of many. The church is Eastern Orthodox, which discriminates against other Christian churches. However, Romania has the fourth-largest growing evangelical population in Europe. An increase in materialism, devotion to tradition and lack of unity in denominations and churches has not stopped a growing receptivity to Jesus Christ in Romania.
Portugal: Catholic country that needs reviving
03 Jul 2015As a predominantly Catholic country, Portugal is even further unified by the culturally embedded traditions and practices of the church. Despite this, drug use has become prevalent, with half of all teenagers reportedly experimenting with illegal substances. The country is known as the bridge for shipping cocaine and hashish from Southeast Asia to Europe and North America. The Portuguese government is still struggling to pull its nation out of increasing debt and social depression. Portugal is a financially and spiritually bankrupt nation. 94% claim Christianity as their faith but it is a stagnant belief based on tradition - few openly practise or evangelise. There is little evidence of living and growing relationships with the Lord. The youth are overlooked, and New Age ideals, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses are beginning to take hold of those who do not know Christ. Portugal is in desperate need of a revival now
Poland: Cool spiritual temperature
03 Jul 2015It was the Catholic Church that kept Polish culture from crumbling under the Communist regime. Now in 2015 Saudi Arabia, one of the most hostile nations towards Christianity and boasting to have a 100 percent Muslim population, has more evangelical Christians than Poland. The Catholic Church still holds sway over Polish culture, but personal faith is nominal and morality is being chipped away from the foundations of Polish society. There is a desperate need for evangelical witnesses (90% of municipalities have no church). Pagan, Wiccan, and New Age religions are gaining followers and there are two Jehovah's Witnesses for every evangelical Christian. Poland has the potential to change the spiritual well-being of Europe, but it is in need of guidance to be redirected toward Christ's glory. God has carried Poland through the years of tragedy and poverty, and He will lead them into the light He shines for them.
Norway: Man faces eight years in jihadi trial
03 Jul 2015Norwegian prosecutors are seeking an eight-year jail sentence for a jihadist who they say fought for the Islamic State group and an affiliate of Al-Qaeda in Syria. Ishaq Ahmed a 24-year-old Norwegian left for Syria in 2013. Prosecutors say he fought for IS before joining the Al-Nusra Front, Al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate. He could face up to nine years in jail if found guilty of ‘support for a terrorist organisation’.
Ahmed insists he is innocent and that he was in Syria carrying out humanitarian work. But prosecutors maintain that in the months before his departure he carried out online research into weapons and body armour and have found no evidence of humanitarian work or any effort to procure medical materials. His is the second trial in Norway over suspected links to the IS militants.
The number of new claims for invalidity benefit under the Wajong scheme has dropped 90% since new rules were introduced at the beginning of this year. In the first four months of 2014, 5,109 youngsters were found to be entitled to the benefit, compared with just 515 in the first four months of this year. The benefit is for those unable to work because of illness or handicap at a young age. Since the beginning of this year, only people who cannot work at all are entitled to claim. Others who used to be entitled to help, such as people who hold down a small part-time job or people with Downs syndrome, have to apply to their local authority for welfare benefits instead. Elsevier magazine reported last week that 820,330 people in the Netherlands are considered unable to work and are receiving some form of invalidity benefit. The total Dutch working population is 7.2 million. Some 250,000 of them claim Wajong benefits, of whom almost 80% have behavioural issues such as ADHD or autism.
Montenegro: A European harvest field
03 Jul 2015The nation’s government, a parliamentary democracy, has many political parties. Its recent independence has brought a renewed sense of hope and optimism, giving this small nation a greater sense of potential. Joining the European Union and adopting the Euro will hopefully open up many economic opportunities for Montenegrins. But, in the midst of progress, the economy still faces many obstacles. Despite a difficult history of ethnic division, Montenegro desires to step into the future with a strong national identity. Deep divisions remain between the Serbian and Montenegrin Orthodox Churches, and the Christian population remains predominantly nominal. Additionally, Bosniak Muslims residing in the nation harbour bitterness towards Christians for the way they historically treated the Muslim population. Prayer is needed for sensitive and effective outreach to Muslim Bosniaks. Evangelicals claim .03% of the population. Portions of the country remain largely un-evangelised .
Monaco: Wealth – Tax haven
03 Jul 2015Monaco has wealth, fast cars and casinos. A mecca for the rich. The mini country is home to 38,000 people and one in three is a millionaire. It has the highest per capita GDP in the world. The big draw is tax. The principality has no income tax and other tax rates for companies and individuals are exceptionally low. The prospect of keeping hold of most of their wealth has attracted people from over 100 nations. Living standards are high. Since the principality's priority is to attract wealthy individuals to acquire real estate and live and spend in the country, the government uses its economic advantages to improve the quality of life and to combine work and leisure. Indeed, many of the world's rich buy property in Monaco to take advantage of Monaco's tax regime, although they seldom abide by the legal requirement to live 6 months of every year in the country. See also: http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com/economies/Europe/Monaco-POVERTY-AND-WEALTH.html