Soldiers’ deaths in training accidents
30 Jul 2015
Figures released under Freedom of Information laws have showed that a British serviceman dies in a training accident every six weeks, and there have been 125 deaths during armed forces exercises in the past fifteen years. Compare this to the Iraq War, when 179 British service men and women died. Troops have been shot dead in mock battles, crushed by armoured vehicles and drowned during river crossings. The death toll reflects the need to prepare for war with dangerous equipment and hostile conditions, but it also reflects the need for more care to be taken. A military injuries specialist said, ‘This is a shocking number of deaths. It is not enough to say, well, they are using guns, or we put them in hazardous situations. There are detailed guidelines which stress the fact that, if the risk factors are assessed properly and appropriately managed, nearly all injuries can be prevented.’
Barristers began striking on Monday in solidarity with defence solicitors protesting over cuts to legal aid. The legal aid system pays lawyers from public funds to provide representation for people facing legal proceedings. James Bogle, a Christian barrister, said the Government's cuts to legal aid will cause ‘huge amounts of injustice’ to people who cannot afford to be represented in court. His message for the Government is: ‘If you want to save money, this is not the way to do it. Very little money will be saved but huge amounts of injustice will be done. People’s reputation, their life and that of their family, could be on the line if they're unable to get proper representation. They may find themselves convicted, even though they are innocent. Conversely, people who have committed serious offences may get off.’ The cuts will create a two-tier system that favours the better-off. Those who cannot afford to pay for a solicitor are suffering at the hands of the Government. See also: http://news.sky.com/story/1525700/barristers-strike-over-cuts-to-legal-aid
Cyprus: United States of Cyprus?
30 Jul 2015
President Nicos Anastasiades expressed hope that there would be a solution to the Cypriot divide and the island’s name could be ‘United States of Cyprus’. In an interview with a Turkish newspaper he said that both he and his Turkish Cypriot counterpart had the same vision on solving their problems, and this was the first time there was so much hope that this could be done. For the first time in the island’s Greek/Turkish history, both leaders have the same vision. They want to reach an agreement taking into account their mutual concerns. Please continue to pray that negotiations continue to be held in a positive atmosphere over the most difficult matters of property and territory. Some matters have been agreed on while others have not.
Finland: Asylum seekers situation chaotic
30 Jul 2015
The number of asylum seekers entering Finland this year has already surpassed the average for previous years. Officials in southwest Finland had processed over 600 asylum applications by the beginning of July, compared to 400 for all of 2014. Many applications are successful, but even unsuccessful applicants remain in Finland if their security elsewhere cannot be guaranteed. So they receive subsidiary protection on humanitarian grounds. Asylum seekers entering Finland come from the conflict and destruction of Islamic State or their migration might involve family feuds or political persecution. Some Albanians say they are seeking better living conditions. More often than not there is some kind of persecution behind many of the applications. There is increasing overcrowding at reception centres. The high demand for asylum services has caused police in southwest Finland to redirect resources from other police responsibilities to help ease the bottleneck in the system.
Athletes publicly speak of their Christian faith
30 Jul 2015
Zach Johnson, winner of this year's British Open, told reporters of his Christian faith and the encouragement the Bible gave him during the tournament. ‘I’ve been reading bits of scripture to myself all week. I thank God for the talent he has given me and I take it seriously.’ On 18 July Jason Robinson, a former rugby international, told ITV News how he came to faith in Jesus Christ. He described how he considered suicide but through the life and testimony of a New Zealand player was drawn to Jesus. ‘The very reason that I became a Christian is because I'm not perfect, I need help, and I can't do it on my own.’ On 24 July Paris Saint Germain, defender and ex-Chelsea player David Luiz, was baptised in a team-mate’s swimming pool and said on Instagram that he will abstain from sex until after he is married to girlfriend Sara Madeira. He captioned his Instagram post quoting 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Restoring worth in Kenya
30 Jul 2015
In August one hundred women will gather in Eldoret and Meru, Kenya. These women are wives of pastors and missionaries, the support behind the public face of native missions. They don’t often get much attention, but for a few days they will get all the attention from a Ministry Mates Matter (MMM) team. Advancing Native Missions sends these MMM teams of staff and volunteers to encourage and refresh women who face many hardships without relief. God esteems such women as ‘far above rubies.’ Ministry Mates Matter teams travel around the world to encourage the unsung heroines of missions - native missionary wives and women in ministry. These women are the forgotten ones.
A private member’s bill to legalise same sex marriage is expected to be presented to Federal Parliament in the week beginning Monday 10 August. In response to this move Christian ministries and organisations are asking Christians across the nation to defend their faith and make a visible statement to Australia’s national leaders of their desire for the definition of marriage to remain as being between a man and a woman. Christians are asked to say ‘Thank you with Flowers’ to Australian PMs who are valiantly defending the existing Biblical Covenant of Marriage between a man and a woman. Flowers are used to express thanks for life from the heart and Christians are going to take steps to set in place a carpet of flowers at Parliament House, Canberra on 10 August as a united expression of prayer and thanks to our Prime Minister and those supporting traditional marriage in Parliament.
United Nations human rights experts, the European Union, UK, US and others have expressed concern regarding the detention of over 200 lawyers and activists in China since 10 July. (See Prayer-Alert 15July)
On 16 July, five UN independent experts called on the Chinese authorities to stop harassing and intimidating lawyers and their colleagues, stating that ‘Lawyers are essential to ensure the rule of law; they need to be protected not harassed’. The British Embassy in Beijing expressed deep concern about the detentions. The US strongly urged China to release all those who have recently been detained for seeking to protect the rights of Chinese citizens. Last week, the UK’s Law Society wrote to the Chinese Premier raising concerns about the situation. The US Congressional-Executive Commission on China, said the ‘wave of repression constitutes an undeniable setback in US-China relations’.