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Three countries - France, Germany and the UK - acquire foreign intelligence for security and police matters from countries that routinely use torture to obtain information, claims a report issued on 28 June by Human Rights Watch. Additionally the use of torture intelligence in the fight against terrorism damages the credibility of the European Union, as they contradict anti-torture guidelines. Intelligence services in the three countries claim it is impossible to know the sources and methods used to acquire shared information in states such as Algeria, Syria, Jordan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Pakistan. But officials in the UK and Germany have made public statements indicating that they believe it is sometimes acceptable to use foreign intelligence even if obtained under torture, the report notes. The 62-page long document cites the case of Djamel Beghal, whose statements made under ill-treatment in the United Arab Emirates were used against him in a French court, where he was on trial for plotting a terrorist attack. Pray: that even those plotting inhumane deeds are treated humanely. (Ps. 79:11)
Martin Kugler of the Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians has spoken about the growing acts of intolerance against Christians in Europe in an interview with MercatorNet magazine. The interview marks the 1700th anniversary of the birth of religious tolerance in Europe and seeks to explore the significance of the occasion for Western Christians, whom Mr Kugler says are now facing increasing social hostility. ‘It is not nominal Christians who are fully aligned to society’s mainstream who suffer discrimination. It is those who strive to live according to the high ethical demands of Christianity who experience a clash with the dominant culture,’ he says. ‘These are not in the majority. And even if they were, history has shown that a minority can discriminate against a peaceful majority.’
Pray: that this trend of hostility towards Christians will cease. (Ps.78:49)
More: http://www.mercatornet.com/articles/view/is_europe_discriminating_against_christians
Hope will launch in its new form as part of Europe’s largest gathering of Christians, an all-night prayer and praise event hosted by the Redeemed Christian Church of God which expects more than 25,000 people to attend. Hosted by Pastor Agu Irukwu of Jesus House, the Hope launch will be part of the Festival of Life on 23 July at the ExCel Centre in London. The General Overseer, Pastor EA Adeboye is also keen to pray over and commission Hope. The event signifies a move towards a wider involvement in Hope from across church denominations and cultural divides and will strengthen partnerships with the black majority church. Hope together is a continuation of Hope 08 and is reforming in response to calls from church and denominational leaders who found it a helpful banner to work under. Pray: that this celebration and launch of 'Hope' will lead to revival in the Church. (Ps.33:22) More:http://www.christiantoday.com/article/hope.to.launch.at.europes.largest.gathering.of.christians/26270.htm
It doesn’t happen often that church planting makes the headlines of secular newspapers, but on 31 July 2012 Dutch newspaper Het Parool opened with ‘God returns to the city’. The article reports that 1,500 citizens of Amsterdam joined so-called ‘new churches’, and that 10 more of these churches are planned for the next three years. Since three Reformed churches joined hands in re-evangelizing the city, new church groups are popping up everywhere. This adds to the already blooming immigrant and free Evangelical churches in the Bijlmer area of the Dutch capital. The Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics reports that 17 percent of the inhabitants of Amsterdam see themselves as part of the Christian tradition. The Church in the Netherlands is still in decline, but not as marked as in the past. Church planting provides a new stream of life in the cities.
Pray: for the ongoing growth and new life of the Church in Amsterdam. (Gen.17:2)
How to stop the loss of biodiversity without impeding human development is one of the biggest conundrums of modern times. Experts from around the world have gathered in Brussels this week to brainstorm on the problem. The UN has also designated 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity. More than 3000 scientists, business leaders, environmental advocates and government officials are taking part in the forum, called Green Week. Biodiversity refers to the abundance and variety of plant and animal species and their habitats. A large number and wide range of natural habitats and species are essential to maintaining the earth’s ecosystems. Humans have caused massive losses in biodiversity, mainly by destroying plant and animal habitats. The UN estimates that species are now disappearing at 100 to 1000 times the natural extinction rate. A third of the 1.75m known animal and plant species are under threat.
Pray: that this forum would lead to significant advances to benefit the world we live in. (Gen.1:26-31)
European stocks have fallen sharply in trading after George Papandreou, the Greek prime minister, called for a national referendum on a eurozone-backed rescue package for his country's debt-crippled economy. Papandreou's call for a referendum raised the prospect that Greeks, a majority of whom oppose crippling austerity cuts which have been a precondition for international bailout funds according to polls, will derail the rescue efforts agreed by European leaders last week that would provide a $140bn loan to Athens and write off half of the country's debt. There is concern that the referendum would be unlikely to take place before January, creating months of uncertainty for the markets. The announcement has taken other European leaders by surprise, ahead of the G20 summit in Cannes, France, this week. In Germany, a member of Angela Merkel’s centre-right coalition said the news of the referendum gave the impression that Greece was trying to backtrack on its deal with EU leaders.
Pray:for the EU as it seeks a solution for the financial problems that are troubling them, especially the Greek situation. (Pro.3:13)
More:http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/11/201111182840767842.html
A case against the EU deal has been brought by German plaintiffs, and the Greek vote could mean nothing if a court case launched by a group of German citizens derails Germany’s financial contribution to the bailout. The group, led by a member of parliament for the Christian Social Union party, includes legal academics led by Nuremberg constitutional law professor Karl Albrecht Schachtschneider. They argue that the bailout is unconstitutional both in German and European law. In the first instance, they argue the process by which the €22bn contribution to the Greek bailout package that was approved by Germany was improper. Also the moves infringe upon their rights as German citizens. They lean on article 125 of the Lisbon Treaty ’no bailout’ clause which expressly forbids the EU or a member state from undertaking the responsibility of covering the debts of another member state. Pray: for all that is hidden to be revealed and for leaders to use sound judgment and Godly insights pronouncements. (Pr.8:14-16) More: http://www.cityam.com/wealth-management/legal-battle-could-yet-sink-the-greek-bailout
Greece's economy is in dire shape, and both the country's leaders and residents face an uphill battle to escape what could become a five-year recession. Recent economic reports revealed that the recession was deeper than originally thought. And with news like that splashed across national headlines, many Greeks have turned to religion for some kind of relief. ‘The church is the last resort for everyone. Even more so when people have problems,’ said church goer Stelios Papayoannou. ‘It is human nature to forget God in good times and remember him in hard times.’ Greek worshipper Maria Libery added ‘With faith people can overcome all difficulties. This is why we flock here, to church.’ She continued ‘Times are hard everywhere. Church can bring relief to our soul and make us feel that there is something outside of this life. I believe this is why we go to church.’
Pray: for all those facing hardship due to the economic situation to find an answer in Christ. (Ps.62:8)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2011/November/Greeks-Attend-Church-as-Economic-Uncertainty-Grows-/
Greece is close to agreeing to a new set of austerity measures, which will affect both the public and private sectors, that would unlock the emergency loans from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund that the country needs to keep its economy afloat. In the private sector, employers who have more than 200 people in their work force would be able to sack 4 per cent of them at once rather than the 2 percent in place now. There will also be a gradual phasing out of the 13th and 14th monthly salaries that employees receive as Easter, Summer and Christmas bonuses, possibly over the next five years. In the public sector, civil servants will lose their 13th and 14th monthly salaries and their supplementary pay,
which has already been cut by 30 percent, will be reduced by another 5 per cent. This would represent savings of 1.7 billion euros, or 0.6 per cent of Greece’s gross domestic product.
Pray: that the spirit of the Greek population will not be broken by these enforced measures. (Pr.10:15)
More: http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_politics_100002_29/04/2010_116768
The Greek Orthodox Church in Great Britain has spoken of its concerns for Greece as the country struggles to free itself from a crippling debt crisis. Capital city Athens was rocked by violent protests on Wednesday as Greek riot police took on hundreds of protesters angry over the government’s austerity measures. After power-sharing talks collapsed yesterday, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced he would form a new government and seek a parliamentary vote of confidence in a renewed effort to push through the unpopular austerity package. Charis Mettis, spokesman for the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Thyateira and Great Britain, said he was ‘very worried’ about Greece. ‘It is a very serious situation,’ he told Christian Today. ‘We hope that Greece won’t be landed with a dictatorship. Something similar happened in 1967, when politicians could not agree and the army moved in. We hope that won’t happen this time.’
Pray: for the people of Greece as they face such difficult situations. (Dt.17:8)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.fears.dictatorship.in.debtburdened.greece/28160.htm