Top security officials in France say they've arrested an Islamic jihadist in Paris who was planning an attack on at least one church. In a press conference on Wednesday, the country's interior minister says the suspect - whose name has not been released yet - is a 24-year-old Algerian computer science student. He was arrested on Sunday after he shot himself by accident and called for an ambulance. That is when police found an arsenal of weapons and notes about potential targets in his car. Documents proved without any ambiguity that the individual was preparing an imminent attack against one or two churches. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manuel Valls reminded French citizens that the country was facing an unprecedented terrorist threat, saying ‘Terrorists are targeting France to divide us and our response must be to protect citizens and rally together as we face terrorism’. See also article 1 in the Europe section.

Councillors in Lowestoft have rejected a licensing application for the opening of a Sex Entertainment Venue in the town centre. The case was supported by the Christian Legal Centre. This was the third licensing application for a Sex Entertainment Venue to be heard by Lowestoft councillors in a period of just 12 months. In February 2014, local residents expressed concern after a licence was granted for the opening of a sex club in the town, despite strong opposition from members of the Lowestoft community. After several months, it transpired that the proposed venue would no longer go ahead. However, in autumn 2014, a second application was made for the opening of a lap dancing club in the town centre, which was also rejected after residents, businesses and churches objected and three petitions were submitted. A third application was then made, this time for a sex shop in the town. But earlier this year, councillors rejected it after the Christian Legal Centre again supported local residents in opposing the plans.

Some startling facts are causing quite a stir among the Muslim population in Indonesia, amid all the news about Islam's gains around the world. In Indonesia - the most populous Muslim nation - 2 million Muslims are converting to Christianity per year. That's one new convert every 15 seconds. At this rate, Indonesia will be mostly Christian by 2035. Some Muslims are so alarmed they've created a video on YouTube to alert other Muslims to this menace and are trying to raise $2 million to start a TV station aimed at Muslim youth to keep them in Islam. Read the full story via the ‘More’ link.

 

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Bratislava to express their anger. Police cars were vandalised . People held banners that read, Slovakia is not Africa, and one Arabic family, including a mother and baby in a pushchair, was pelted with stones. These protests come as the discussion on the influx of immigrants to Europe from war or poverty inflicted parts of North Africa is coming to a head. The European Commission proposed a solution which would see at least 40,000 immigrants resettled throughout the EU with certain quotas for each Member State. Slovakia would receive a quota of 700 immigrants. There is tension and disunity in the Member States on this issue. Many countries in the West such as Germany, France and the UK are feeling the impact of immigration. The EU has proposed that all Member States come together to solve this problem and take the weight off the most affected countries, but attitudes are much more defensive among the newer states.

Serbia - a war-torn country of 7.2 million people racked by broken economy and soaring unemployment and inflation. Just last year, the World Bank ranked the former Yugoslav territory 91st among countries surveyed on its annual report of ‘Doing Business’ assessment. That was the state of affairs inherited by the Generation X politician who became Serbia's newest prime minister. Yet in less than 14 months' he has made tough choices, reversed a record deficit of 7 percent GDP of the economy to near-break-even, and achieved economic growth. Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, 45, took office in April 2014. Despite flooding that affected the country after his inauguration, he quickly worked with the parliament to institute economic reforms, including cutting pensions and public-employee wages and raising taxes. He pushed through laws allowing a flexible workplace and focused on attracting foreign investment. His actions quickly paid off and the results have been stellar. The country's GDP is forecast to grow next year. Serbia is currently in negotiations to join the European Union.

The fifty-three  Member States of the Region have a large and diverse population. This diversity also exists in terms of health inequalities. To achieve health equity, WHO/Europe works with countries in key areas such as the social determinants of health: the conditions in which people are born, grow up, live, work and age. Action across all government sectors is needed to address factors affecting health and well-being on a daily basis. In July 2014  WHO/Europe had the first meeting for smaller countries to help them achieve health equity. Representatives from eight  small countries in the Region came to San Marino to discuss implementation of the Health 2020 vision. Representatives from Andorra, Cyprus, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro and San Marino attended. WHO Regional Director for Europe, said that small countries, with populations of less than 1 million, adapt quickly, and implement policies effectively. Choosing the right policies has a great potential to achieve social and political cohesion. See also: www.euro.who.int/en/countries/san-marino/news/news/news?root_node_selection=75602

President Vladimir Putin said, ‘Russia needs a mighty military to fend off threats near its borders’ in a stance that reflects soaring tensions with the West over the crisis in Ukraine. The Russian leader, whose approval ratings reached an all-time high this month despite a bruising recession, said a ‘powerful army equipped with modern weapons is the guarantor of sovereignty and territorial integrity of Russia.’ Speaking at a Kremlin meeting with graduates of Russian military academies, Putin also vowed to continue a sweeping military modernisation effort that envisions the purchase of large numbers of new weapons. Despite oil-rich Russia now being in a recession Putin plans to spend 22 trillion roubles to give the armed forces dozens of ships, hundreds of new planes and missiles and thousands of tanks and other weapons. Putin added that Russia has no aggressive intentions and aims to ‘settle any disputes exclusively by political means with respect to international law and interests of other nations.’

Romania’s Central Bank experienced 2,631 banknote forgeries in 2014, more than double the previous year. 2,400 were found in circulation while the rest were seized by police during raids. The total value of the forged local currency notes was over the equivalent of EUR 55,000. During the same period the Romanian National Bank recorded a profit of EUR 251 million last year, after a loss of EUR 282 million in 2013. The Central Bank’s net assets totaled EUR 3.4 billion, up 25.8% compared to 2013 See also : www.romania-insider.com/fake-romanian-banknotes-double-one-year/151718/