Bid for new law to protect kids from internet porn
The first attempt at a law introducing an opt-in system to protect children from being bombarded by online pornography has been launched in the House of Lords. A Private Member’s Bill has been introduced by Baroness Howe with the backing of Christian charity Care. The Bill would require internet service providers and mobile phone operators to block internet porn, unless a customer aged 18 or over asks to have access to such content. A Private Member’s Bill rarely becomes law unless the Government gets behind it. Claire Perry MP, who recently convened a cross-party enquiry into online child safety, said she was pleased the issue was being raised. She said: ‘The Howe Bill addresses very effectively one of the greatest challenges for UK parents today, protecting children online. It is a timely and important piece of legislation that I hope will have a big impact.’
Pray: that this Private Members Bill will receive Government backing and become law. (Ne.1:11)
Swiss assisted suicides rise sevenfold in 11 years
The number of assisted suicides for Swiss residents has risen by 700 per cent in the space of 11 years, according to new figures. In what is believed to be a first, Switzerland’s Federal Statistics Office has published official statistics showing how many people ended their lives by assisted dying between 1998 and 2009. Almost 300 Swiss residents died in this manner only in the year 2009, compared to just 43 in 1998. The vast majority of people were over 55, and the figures also showed that women were more likely to be killed by assisted suicide than men. Figures from Dignitas, a Swiss suicide clinic, showed that the organisation helped 1,298 people commit suicide between 1998 and 2011. The news follows a debate in the House of Commons last week, where an attempt to undermine the law against assisted suicide was unanimously rejected by MPs. The Commons gave unanimous backing to an amendment encouraging the development of specialist palliative care services.
Pray: that this growing trend would be halted. Also pray for the adoption of specialist palliative care such as has been introduced in the UK. (Pr.15:24)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/swiss-assisted-suicides-rise-sevenfold-in-11-years/
Swiss assisted suicides rise sevenfold in 11 years
The number of assisted suicides for Swiss residents has risen by 700 per cent in the space of 11 years, according to new figures. In what is believed to be a first, Switzerland’s Federal Statistics Office has published official statistics showing how many people ended their lives by assisted dying between 1998 and 2009. Almost 300 Swiss residents died in this manner only in the year 2009, compared to just 43 in 1998. The vast majority of people were over 55, and the figures also showed that women were more likely to be killed by assisted suicide than men. Figures from Dignitas, a Swiss suicide clinic, showed that the organisation helped 1,298 people commit suicide between 1998 and 2011. The news follows a debate in the House of Commons last week, where an attempt to undermine the law against assisted suicide was unanimously rejected by MPs. The Commons gave unanimous backing to an amendment encouraging the development of specialist palliative care services.
Pray: that this growing trend would be halted. Also pray for the adoption of specialist palliative care such as has been introduced in the UK. (Pr.15:24)
More: http://www.christian.org.uk/news/swiss-assisted-suicides-rise-sevenfold-in-11-years/
Eurozone unemployment reaches near 15-year high
Unemployment in the eurozone reached its highest level in almost 15 years in February, with more than 17 million people out of work, and economists saying they expected job office queues to grow even longer later this year. Joblessness in the 17-nation currency zone rose to 10.8% - in line with a Reuters poll of economists - and 0.1 points worse than in January, Eurostat said on Monday. ‘We expect it to go higher, to reach 11% by the end of the year,’ said Raphael Brun-Aguerre, an economist at JP Morgan in London. ‘You have public sector job cuts, income going down, and weak consumption. The economic growth outlook is negative and is going to worsen unemployment.’ February's level - last hit in June 1997 - marked the 10th straight monthly rise and contrasts sharply with the United States where the economy has been adding jobs since late last year.
Pray: that the unemployment figures would begin to reduce. Pray that governments would be able to get to grips with the economic situation.
More: http://www.euractiv.com/socialeurope/eurozone-unemployment-reaches-near-15-year-high-news-511926
