Ellie Simmonds aims to inspire at London Games
Four years ago Ellie Simmonds burst into public consciousness amidst an eruption of tears which followed her historic 100m freestyle victory in Beijing. Great Britain's youngest-ever Paralympic champion at 13 went on to claim another gold in the 400m six days later and the teenager returned to the UK as the new superstar of her sport. Simmonds though is not someone who craves the limelight and she admits that her journey from China to London has not been an easy one. ‘I loved every moment of Beijing and when it finished I was on such a low,’ Simmonds told BBC Sport. It has also taken the swimmer time to adjust to her near celebrity status and frequently being stopped in the street by members of the public requesting photographs. ‘Sometimes you think 'can you just leave me alone' and I can become a bit agitated, but you just have to roll with it.’
Pray: for all athletes that they would be an inspiration to other participants and to those who will watch. (2Cor.3:13)
More: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/19361665
Tough employment outlook faces young people
Young people finishing school, college or university this summer are facing the toughest outlook since 1994, according to a Trades Union Congress (TUC) analysis. The TUC report, published last week, looks at both employment and education trends over the last 20 years, shows that the proportion of young people in full-time education has nearly doubled from 24 per cent in 1992 to 41 per cent in 2012. Despite this surge in education, the proportion of young people who are neither working nor studying full-time today remains close to record levels at 20.4 per cent, the highest level since October 1994. The TUC is concerned that with 488,000 16-24 year olds currently out of work for at least six months - a figure that is rising even as overall unemployment falls - the country risks losing a generation of young people to unemployment and under-achievement before their careers have even begun.
Pray: for young people as they face the challenges of work and the toughest economic climate for nearly 20 years. (Eph.2:10)
Nederland: Al-Qaeda planning attack in The Hague
Al-Qaeda has reportedly recruited two Somali men in Pakistan to carry out a suicide attack in The Hague. According to the Pakistani weekly Friday Times, al-Qaeda has recruited two Somali students in the Pakistani city of Karachi. The terrorist organisation trained them in the use of weapons and explosives and reportedly ordered them to carry out an attack in The Hague, similar to the shooting and bombing attacks in Mumbai in 2008. The Friday Times reports that the two Somalis would travel to Europe ‘as Christians’ with stolen Spanish passports. A Dutch intelligence source told the daily De Telegraaf that the threat is ‘serious'. A spokesperson for the Dutch embassy in Pakistan told the Friday Times that they take all these threats very seriously. ‘We are working closely with our Pakistani counterparts to eliminate such threats.’
Pray: that God would confuse the enemy and bind those who are threatening violence. (Ps.7:9)
More: http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/%E2%80%9Cal-qaeda-planning-attack-hague%E2%80%9D
Nederland: Al-Qaeda planning attack in The Hague
Al-Qaeda has reportedly recruited two Somali men in Pakistan to carry out a suicide attack in The Hague. According to the Pakistani weekly Friday Times, al-Qaeda has recruited two Somali students in the Pakistani city of Karachi. The terrorist organisation trained them in the use of weapons and explosives and reportedly ordered them to carry out an attack in The Hague, similar to the shooting and bombing attacks in Mumbai in 2008. The Friday Times reports that the two Somalis would travel to Europe ‘as Christians’ with stolen Spanish passports. A Dutch intelligence source told the daily De Telegraaf that the threat is ‘serious'. A spokesperson for the Dutch embassy in Pakistan told the Friday Times that they take all these threats very seriously. ‘We are working closely with our Pakistani counterparts to eliminate such threats.’
Pray: that God would confuse the enemy and bind those who are threatening violence. (Ps.7:9)
More: http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/%E2%80%9Cal-qaeda-planning-attack-hague%E2%80%9D
