Turkey: Global Wave of Prayer for Turkey
21 Jul 2016
Now that the immediate threat from the attempted coup has subsided things are moving very quickly. Actions and decisions made over the next few days have the potential to significantly impact the future pattern and fabric of Turkish society significantly. International Turkey Network is calling everyone to join in an intense period of global prayer for Turkey. The government is reasserting its control and the mood has moved from one of unity against the attempted coup to one where old factions are again looking to protect or entrench their positions. Many are still on the streets where passions and emotions are running high, not all actions are well judged or positive. Media reports crowds crying ‘Allahu Akbar’ with occasions of violence. Thousands of judges and prosecutors have been arrested and similar numbers the police and military in a ‘purge’. Turkish people are cautious what they report. There have been isolated reports of some church properties being damaged by crowds.
France's foreign minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, warned Turkish President Erdogan against using the country's failed coup as ‘carte blanche ’. ‘We want the rule of law to work properly in Turkey,’ adding that Turkey's government should not use repressive measures. His remarks came as Turkish authorities continued a crackdown in the wake of the coup, arresting thousands of people accused of involvement in the putsch or of supporting the plotters. Ayrault’s remarks echoed those made by President François Hollande, who said he expected a period of repression in Turkey after Friday's turmoil. ‘Now we shall see what the situation is in Turkey, if its president has completely regained control, which I think is the case. France hopes that Turkish democracy will emerge reinforced by this test and that fundamental liberties will be fully respected.’ said Hollande.
Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere warned Germans to be prepared for further attacks carried out by small groups and radicalised ‘lone wolves’. Five people were wounded by a 17-year-old on a train in Bavaria on Monday. He arrived in Germany in 2015 as an unaccompanied migrant. Questions have now been raised about whether he was really from Afghanistan. A Pakistani document was found in his room. It is common for Afghan refugees to be given asylum in Germany rather than migrants from Pakistan so, many migrants pretend to come from Afghanistan. He was shot dead holding an axe and a knife. In a video he said he was a soldier of IS. It is believed he had been ‘incited’ by IS propaganda but there was no evidence that he was following the group's orders. The government was doing all it could to prevent such attacks, the minister said, but there could be no guarantee.
Pokémon Go is dangerous
21 Jul 2016
Pokémon Go is a smartphone reality game that could improve mental and physical health. But it has been called a public nuisance. Players capture, battle and train virtual Pokémon creatures on device screens as they walk in the real world. It uses GPS and cameras of compatible devices. However, in Northern Ireland the police issued a warning to Pokémon Go users after catching a car ‘cruising slowly’ at 15 mph trying to catch Pokémons on the road. A police spokesperson said ‘This is a massive road safety issue’. Meanwhile the Royal Stoke hospital is designated as a Pokémon ‘gym’ where players train their characters. Consequently players are roaming the accident and emergency areas providing an unwanted distraction to the important work of the hospital. Players are now warned not to enter the hospital to hunt for monsters! Bosnians playing Pokémon Go are warned to avoid straying into areas still sown with landmines from the 1990’s war. See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-36841828
The number of people claiming unemployment benefits in Northern Ireland has dropped, according to new figures. The unemployment rate was 5.9% between March and May this year, a decrease of 0.4% over the year.
The latest Labour Force Survey revealed in June that the number of unemployment claimants stood at 36,700, a decrease of 600 over the month. Economy Minister Simon Hamilton MLA welcomed the new figures, saying,
‘Our recovery has been characterised by strong employment growth and I am encouraged that the latest figures indicate that this remains the case. Our unemployment rate continues on a downward trend along with a reduction in the number of people in Northern Ireland claiming unemployment related benefits, a reduction of over 7,000 people in the year to June 2016. In addition, the Northern Ireland unemployment rate continues to compare favourably with the April 2016 rate for the European Union (8.7%) and Republic of Ireland (8.4%).’
Church is changing England with free education
21 Jul 2016
The Church of England is opening free Christian schools. They will be a way for the Church to have a voice in an increasingly secular government, a voice many secular leaders want diminished. England's new initiative to open 500 free schools for underprivileged children has been derided by many critics as a poor decision, but the Church sees it as an opportunity to teach children the Christian faith. The schools are funded by the government but can be set up and run by charities, parents, trusts, businesses, teachers, or religious groups. That is why the Church has set its sights on opening 125 faith schools across the country during the next four years. They currently run 10. ‘This is a moment to be bold and ambitious and offer more than an apologetic for church schools but a vision for education,’ said Bishop Stephen Conway, Chair of the Church’s Board of Education .
UK Disability Rights Are ‘A Badge of Shame’
21 Jul 2016
David Isaac, the new chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, described disability rights in the UK as ‘a badge of shame’, saying that disabled people are discriminated against in every area of life – from transport to housing and employment. He has called for a new national focus on disability rights so that disabled people are no longer treated as ‘second class citizens’. He is calling on the government to show stronger leadership by implementing all remaining provisions in the Equality Act without delay to allow better access to transport, housing and representation in politics for disabled people. He has also called on restaurants, theatres, concert venues, sports stadia and all those providing services to raise their game so that the disabled are not disadvantaged. Denying access to a large customer base is not good business practice and large venues must make it easier for disabled customers to access and buy tickets.
Home for Good
21 Jul 2016
The last five years have seen a significant increase in the number of unaccompanied children leaving their homes and claiming asylum in the UK because of war, persecution or lack of safety in their country of birth. Because of the ongoing crisis in Syria and violence in the Middle East and North Africa, the UK Government has been working with a number of organisations and agencies to welcome refugee children. Home for Good is just one of them. These organisations are involved in meeting the need for foster carers who are ready to welcome an unaccompanied asylum seeking child into their home. But they need people to volunteer to become foster carers. Pray for more individuals to register their interest in fostering to local authorities and agencies across the country.