Global: 40 days for life
27 Feb 2015
In 252 cities across 19 countries Christians are uniting in a pro-life campaign called ’40 Days for Life’ which will run throughout Lent. The mission of the campaign is to unite the church in repentance, intercession, fasting and peaceful activism for 40 days by those concerned about abortion. They are asked to pray. For 1) the women who are at risk of having an abortion to have a change of heart. 2) For innocent children who are at risk of perishing. 3) For the men and women who carry the pain of a past abortion experience. 4) For the workers at abortion centers. So far, because of previous campaigns as, 9,699 babies have been saved from abortion, 107 workers have quit the abortion industry and 60 abortion centers have closed. 5) For results that could be achieved during 2015’s community-based campaign as peaceful activists show the consequences of abortion in their neighbourhoods. 6) For God’s purposes of life not death for unborn babies.
China: Refugee influx from Myanmar
27 Feb 2015
Myanmar has declared a state of emergency in a border region where fighting between the army and a self-styled militia called the National Myanmar Democratic Alliance Army has forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee Kokang into neighbouring China. The area is notorious for people-smuggling and drug-trafficking. Proceeds from drugs are helping to fund the fighting now raging across the border. A Red Cross convoy was hit by gunfire on Tuesday as it attempted to bring refugees to China. The paramilitary police now guard an enormous camp for Myanmar refugees in China's Yunnan province. Most refugees are ethnic Chinese. Some of the fiercest fighting has been happening in and around the town of Laukkai, just a few kilometres inside Myanmar. Myanmar remains among the ten most violent states for Christians to live. In the past clashes on the Chinese border have taken place between the army and Christian-majority ethnic groups. In 2014 many Kachin Christians were killed and churches and homes destroyed.
Last November rioters demanded justice for 43 missing college students allegedly abducted by the municipal police in Iguala city in October. In January this year Mexico's government said the missing students had been handed over to a drug cartel by police and then killed and burned to ashes. Many groups questioned this conclusion, saying the government wanted to close the case. This week Argentine forensics team said the attorney general's office made mistakes in 20 genetic profiles collected from student's family members. The government, a mayor, police officers and violent gang members have all been implicated in criminal activities linked to the missing students. No investigation has given plausible evidence to confirm what really happened, or where the missing students or their bodies are.
The South African Security Agency (SSA) spied on Iran according to an Al-Jazeera report showing South Africa monitoring Iranian agents. Apparently South African intelligence agents reported that the Iranians were interested in technology used for satellite interception, online surveillance and hacking. South African security services were concerned at Iran's efforts to use official and unofficial channels in South Africa to beat western-imposed sanctions. Al-Jazeera was in possession of the 128-page report ‘Operational Target Analysis’ which was written by South African spies and profiled dozens of alleged Iranian operatives. The report said British agents had similarly monitored Iran's activities in South Africa. The agents also profiled a number of carpet shops, publishers and other small businesses they believed had links to Iran's intelligence agencies.
The P5+1 is a group of six world powers which in 2006 initiated diplomatic efforts with Iran with regard to Iran's nuclear program. They are UN Security Council members, (United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, and France, plus Germany). Earlier this week US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks in Geneva to resolve the remaining issues on Tehran's contentious nuclear programme, as a meeting of the P5+1 nations with Iran ended. The bilateral meeting between Kerry and Zarif was also attended by US Energy Secretary, Ernest Moniz and Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation director, Ali Akbar Salehi. The deadline for the six world powers and Iran to reach a political agreement.31 March Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said it was astonishing that even after the recent IAEA report determined that Iran is continuing to hide the military components of its nuclear program, the nuclear talks are proceeding. See
Over 150 Syrian Christians, including women and elderly, were kidnapped by Daesh militants, (IS’s Arabic name is translated as ad-Dawlah leading to the acronym Daesh). The abductions began at 4.00am on 23 February on a 40km front along the River Khabour. There are 35 Christian villages along the river in that area. The Daesh offensive follows clashes in which Kurdish and Syrian militias claim to have 'liberated' villages from Daesh control in neighbouring Raqqa Governorate. Over 600 families managed to flee from these villages, however many Christians were abducted. There are reports that churches in two villages were set on fire and a 17-year-old Christian was murdered. Examples of Muslim neighbours showing solidarity and assisting Christians have also emerged. The Gulf Today reported on Wednesday that the total of abducted Christians is now more than 150. See
Bangladesh: Political turmoil threatens economy
19 Feb 2015
On January 5th Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina banned a political opponent’s demonstration and hundreds of activists were arrested. The opposition leader Khaleda Zia was confined to her office. This prompted opposition groups to indefinitely blockade roads, rail and river transport and call for early elections. Since then violence has escalated. Busses and trains firebombed. Over Fifty-four people have died. The 4,000 factories that employ four million people in the garment industry. (80% of exports) have closed. The tourist industry is dead with hotels empty. The trickledown effect has resulted in shortages of everyday commodities and lost jobs. People are afraid to venture out of their homes. Each political side is blaming the other for the escalating violence and resulting economic disaster. The ones suffering the most are those who have lost jobs and see bleak futures in this standoff. See also:
Iran: Justice needed for Cristian prisoner
19 Feb 2015
An imprisoned Iranian convert to Christianity, Ebrahim Firouzi, who completed his sentence on 20th January 2015, continues to be held in a prison in Karaj, according to reports. Ebrahim Firouzi was sentenced to 1 year in prison and 2 years of exile after being convicted on charges of carrying out propaganda against the state, evangelism and launching a Christian website. Apparently Firouzi will be facing additional charges from the Revolutionary Courts, but further legal action has yet to be announced.