Church hits out at proposed welfare cuts
CSAN, the social action arm of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, has come out in opposition to the Prime Minister's plans to introduce more cuts to child and housing benefits. David Cameron announced on Monday that housing benefit would no longer be available for under-25s, while child benefit payments would be limited to families with no more than three children. CSAN said it was ‘extremely concerned’ by the proposals and their impact on families already affected by a cap on the size of their homes and an overall benefit cap. ‘Child benefit exists to provide for the basic needs of children; imposing limitations on the basis of family size will inevitably deprive children from larger families of essential support,’ it said. A spokesperson for Depaul UK, the largest national youth homelessness charity added: ‘80,000 young people become homeless every year. The majority of these become homeless because of family breakdown.’
Pray: that the authorities would consider the needs of all children and families and not cap benefits just to save money. (1Pet.5:2)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/church.hits.out.at.proposed.welfare.cuts/30146.htm
DFID launches faith collaboration document
The Department for International Development (DFID) yesterday announced a major new document setting out its relationship with faith groups. The 'Faith Partnership Principles' were launched by Secretary of State, Andrew Mitchell, at the official residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lambeth Palace. The document has been produced by DFID to build greater common understanding, mutual respect and cooperation in overcoming poverty. Writing in the foreword, Mr Mitchell acknowledged that faith was making an important contribution to development. ‘Faith groups are doing excellent work in providing not only humanitarian relief, but delivering health, education and other services in some of the most troubled parts of the world,’ he said. ‘I look forward to the closer partnership with people of faith who play a unique role in fighting poverty.’
Pray: that there would be a growth in common understanding, respect and cooperation between faith groups in overcoming poverty. (3Jn.1:8)
More: http://www.christiantoday.com/article/dfid.launches.faith.collaboration.document/30152.htm
A Norwegian trained by Al Qaeda is awaiting orders to attack on the West
A Norwegian man has received terrorist training from Al Qaeda's offshoot in Yemen and is awaiting orders to carry out an attack on the West, officials from three European security agencies told The Associated Press on Monday. Western intelligence officials have long feared such a scenario - a convert to Islam who is trained in terrorist methods and can blend in easily in Europe and the United States, travelling without visa restrictions. Officials from three European security agencies confirmed on Monday the man is ‘operational’, meaning he has completed his training and is about to receive a target. All spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case publicly. They declined to name the man, who has not been accused of a crime. ‘We believe he is operational and he is probably about to get his target,’ one security official said. ‘And that target is probably in the West.’
Pray: that the security agencies will be given clear direction on where to find such people. (2Ti.4:18)
Switzerland: Jihadis using country as a base say police
The Swiss Federal Police are worried that Islamic terrorists are using Switzerland as a base. ‘Suspected jihadis continue to use Switzerland as a base to support extremist Islamist groups by placing propaganda and incitement to violence on the web,’ FedPol said in its annual report published on Thursday, newspaper Tribune de Geneve reported. A new specialist department, formed at the beginning of 2011, has been looking into the websites and their operators.
Pray: that all terrorist groups would be exposed and the authorities would be given the power to control them and stop their activities.
