Iranian nuclear chief was present at North Korean A-bomb test, reports Sunday Times
Iran continues to strenuously deny it wants nuclear weapons or is actively pursuing them. Yet the evidence continues to say the exact opposite. Now there are new and credible reports that Iran is working closely with North Korea to join develop The Bomb, and that the recent North Korean nuclear weapons test was done in close coordination with Iran, even with Iranian nuclear officials present to observe the test.
“Iran’s leading nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh Mahabadi, is believed to have travelled to North Korea to observe its third nuclear test last week, according to western intelligence sources,” reports the Sunday Times of London.
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Please pray for the cutting off of the relationship between these two crazy and unstable regimes, along with the sharing of nuclear know-how that could jeopardize our world.
North Korea
The old ways continue to manifest themselves as pressure mounts for people to contribute to the nation's needs including a New Year's day proclamation about required contributions of manure and scrap metal. There has also been an increase in checkpoints which is just another way to put money in the pockets of officials. It is also fairly widely known that North Korea has been using illicit production of methamphetamines for sale abroad as a major source of foreign currency. This has been backfiring as an increasing number of North Koreans have been taking the drug. The number of addicts continues to increase as well as sellers even as arrests increase. There are also signs that labor camps are being expanded in the North.
Survey reveals Britain's dependence on churches
To a significant extent, Britain is reliant on churches to reach out to communities and address the social needs of people amidst the financial crisis, a new study has found. The study, conducted by the Church Urban Fund, shows that 6,500 Church of England parishes offer special services to help schoolchildren, parents, new immigrants and the elderly. A total of eight out of 10 said that parishioners use their spare time to informally help those struggling with issues such as isolation, family breakdown, drug abuse, domestic violence or debt. The survey shows that donations given by churchgoers to social action projects have increased by 19 per cent to £342 million in just two years. Andrea Williams of Christian Concern commented: “The Government must ensure that its legislation – whether Charity law or equalities legislation – does not inhibit churches and Christian organisations from carrying out their service whilst maintaining an overtly Christian ethos.
Pray: for legislation to be revised so that Christians can serve their communities as Christians – not in a way that forces them to ‘leave their faith at the door'. (1Pe.3:15)
More: http://www.christianconcern.com/our-concerns/survey-reveals-britains-dependence-on-churches
New child poverty measure ‘fatally flawed’, say British churches
Four major British churches have criticised government proposals for a new way of measuring child poverty in the UK, which they say masks the problem. The Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Church of Scotland, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church have accused the Government’s consultation on the proposals of being "confused" and "surprisingly badly evidenced". “Child poverty is an unacceptable injustice,” said Paul Morrison, Public Issues Policy Adviser for the Methodist Church. “While we applaud the Government’s commitment to eradicating child poverty in the UK, the proposed new measure is fatally flawed. It is a confusion of targets, measures and, most disturbingly, the Government’s beliefs about what causes poverty, backed by very little solid evidence.” “As Christians we believe that we all have a duty to take responsibility for the injustices that have become embedded in the society we have built," added Marie Trubic, United Reformed Church spokesperson on public issues.
Pray: for the Government that in seeking to address the issue of child poverty, they will listen to the people who are working with the people affected by it. (Pr.1:5)
More: http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/18006
