France keeps al-Qaeda threats seriously
French President Francois Hollande has said that he is taking threats made by al-Qaeda against his country seriously. He was responding on Tuesday to threats made by al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) in a video message posted on April 25. ‘We are taking seriously the threat by AQIM,’ Hollande said in Paris, adding that despite considerable losses inflicted on Islamists in Mali, ‘the terrorist threat has not disappeared’. So we believe we must continue the operation in Mali for as long as it takes, even if we reduce our presence, and stay vigilant around Mali to continue the fight against terror.’ So we believe we must continue the operation in Mali for as long as it takes, even if we reduce our presence, and stay vigilant around Mali to continue the fight against terror’. Hollande said he had ordered measures to protect French installations abroad.
Pray: that those who threaten peace will be thwarted. (Act.4:29)
More: http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/05/201357201852923861.html
Anti-Semitism growing in Europe
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban acknowledged anti-Semitism was on the rise in the country because of the economic crisis but said his government had a ‘zero-tolerance’ towards it. On Saturday the far-right Jobbik party – who regularly issue anti-Semitic statements and are Hungary’s trhird largest political force - held a protest against the Hungarian capital of Budapest hosting a World Jewish Congress meet ing where the Hungarian Prime Minister spoke. The WJC usually hosts its assembly in Jerusalem but chose Hungary this year to highlight what it says is growing anti-Semitism in Europe. Addressing the opening session, Mr Orban said, ‘Anti-Semitism is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated.’ He said his government had a moral duty to declare zero tolerance on anti-Semitism. The president of the World Jewish Congress said Jews were wondering if they were safe in Hungary.
Pray: against the growth of Anti-semitisim in Europe, pray also for the Lord to protect all who are persecuted for their faith. (Ps.32:7-8)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22423812
NIGERIA:More powerful prayer needed
On Tuesday fifty-five people were killed, a police station, military barracks and government buildings were burned to the ground and 105 prisoners were freed in a pre-dawn raid in Bama, Borno state. Extremist attacks are common in the region but the scale of bloodshed makes this raid stand out. This strike - coming on the back of other deadly attacks - undermines the suggestion that the military operation against the militants has diminished the threat they pose. President Goodluck Jonathan has set up a committee to agree the terms of an am nesty for the rebels but Boko Haram's leader, Abubakar Shekau, has so far rejected the idea. Some of the attackers wore army uniforms for the five hour assault. The army says it was the work of Boko Haram - sending out the defiant message that it cannot be defeated by the state security forces. There are reports that the militants have acquired more powerful weapons. President Goodluck Jonathan has put his faith in the power of God for his country.
Pray: ‘God arise and scatter your enemies.’ Pray for the Islamist militants to accept an amnesty. (Ps.37:10,11)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22444417
Uganda: 19,161 affected by Kasese floods
Heavy rains at the beginning of May 2013 caused flooding in Kasese district. By 7th May over 19,000 people had been affected and over 3,100 were living in shelters. The local Red Cross reported a need for emergency provision of shelter like tarpaulins and construction kits, essential household items (cups, plates, jerrycans, mosquito nets, laundry soap, blankets, saucepans, buckets), reviving livelihoods through provision of seeds and tool kits. There is also a need for water, water purification tablets and sanitation campaign/awareness plus provision of psychosocial support to the affected families. The teams are intensifying hygiene promotion in makeshift camps as a measure to control disease outbreak. See: http://allafrica.com/stories/201305071468.html
Pray: for the government as they deploy regional risk disaster officers in various areas, pray against a further tragedy of disease. (Ps.18:16-19)
More: http://allafrica.com/stories/201305061956.html
