Here are today’s News briefs from around the world. Here is some information to read, to reflect upon. Each of these events and issues require our prayers. Remember that God has a plan for each believer, each faithful follower.
Always direct love and generosity toward God. Strive to be good tenants of the vineyard. Do not betray God. Fidelity with God is essential for our spiritual health, spiritual well-being.
Mr. Thein Sein, Burma’s president granted amnesty to approximately 6300 prisoners. The announcement was made on state radio and television. This appears to be the first step steps of reforms of the new elected government. There had been an appeal from the government appointed Human Rights Commission requesting that the president to grant amnesty as a gesture of forgiveness.
According to a report issued by the United Nations Taliban detainees in 47 facilities, in 24 provinces run by the Afghan National Police and Directorate of Security received interrogation techniques considered to be torture under international and Afghan law. These practices were not encouraged by the government. They were individual actions routinely overlooked by the security services.
In the 14 years since control of Hong Kong was returned back to the Chinese government the number of poor has increased by a staggering 50 percent. The Chinese government estimates that there are 1.26 people living below the poverty line. The conditions of the poor are now for the first time worse on Hong Kong than in many of China’s mainland cities. There is pressure for Hong Kong’s political leadership to correct this situation.
Despite having available land, the city built under 14000 units last year. 150000 families are on a waiting list for low rent public housing. Many poor citizens live in tenements subdivided by slumlords into plywood boxes locally known as “coffin homes”.
Would-be travelers to Japan may receive free flights to Japan sponsored by the Japan Tourist Agency to boost tourism in the country following the March natural disasters. Travelers would apply online, provide details on which parts of the country they would like to visit. Successful entrants will be asked to write a report on the visit to Japan which would be published on the internet.
If the program is approved, it is scheduled to begin in April. Travelers would still have to pay for their accommodations. Tourism declined over 50 percent in the three months after the March 11 earthquake tsunami caused meltdowns and explosions at the Fukishima Daiichi nuclear plant.
Coptic Christians are beginning three days of fasting and prayers to mourn Christians killed in violence with Muslims and Security forces on Sunday night.
At least 26 deaths occurred in Cairo, Egypt after what started out as a peaceful protest requesting police protection of Christian churches became violent with police shooting into the crowd of protesters and driving their vehicles over the protesters.
Coptic Christians in Egypt are the victims of sectarian attacks on both churches and Coptic worshippers. Several churches have been destroyed. Hundreds of Coptic worshippers have been injured or killed. Islamist militants with connections to Egypt’s Salafist sect are blamed for the violence.
Coptic Christians constitute approximately 10 percent of Egypt’s 85 million population. Egypt’s interim government’s inability to provide adequate protection for the Coptic Christians does not provide a postive outlook for the country’s future political development.
Christians throughout the Middle East find themselves under attack by radical Islamic groups.
The European Union is preparing to announce new sanctions against Syria because of the increased violence in the country and the defiant political rhetoric of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad in which foreign meddling is being blamed for the turmoil and unrest in the country. Estimated dead is 3000 including 30 people killed after security forces open fire on a funeral in the city of Homs where the army fought against former soldiers who defected to the opposition.
This rebellion started as essentially peaceful demonstrations which escalated to an armed insurrection that is building strength, mobility, popularity on the periphery of what remains a civilian revolt.
Pope Benedict’s October general prayer is: “That the terminally ill may be supported by their faith in God and the love of their brothers and sisters”.
Pope Benedict’s mission intention is: “That the celebration of World Mission Day may foster in the People of God a passion for evangelization with the willingness to support the missions with prayer and economic aid for the poorest Churches”.
World Mission Day is October 23, 2011.
October is Respect Life Month.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
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