Greece: Markets hit by debt default fears
Greek financial markets were in turmoil on Wednesday with investors fearing the new anti-bailout government was determined to defy its international creditors. Greek five-year bond yields jumped to a record high of 13%, reflecting fears that investors may not get their money back. Share prices also fell for a third consecutive day, with the main Athens Stock Exchange (ASE), down 7.6%. The biggest losers were bank shares. In the two sessions since Sunday's election, banks have seen 23% of their value wiped off, with investors fretting that the possibility of Greece leaving the euro would see bank accounts converted back into a new Greek national currency. The sharp movements came after new Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said in his first cabinet meeting that he planned to negotiate with creditors over the €240bn (£179bn; $270bn) bailout. The EU has repeatedly warned the new government to stick to its commitments. A default could force Greece out of the euro.
Gendercide could be on its way out of UK
Gendercide–choosing abortion because of the baby’s gender–could be on its way out of the UK within the next few months after MP’s upheld a parliamentary motion to fast-track a new law last week. The amendment, which prohibits abortion based on the baby’s gender, was signed by more than 70 MP’s. If passed, the amendment will be added to the Government’s Serious Crime Bill by May 2015. The proposed law would mean that doctors who commit gendercide can be prosecuted. Conservative member Fiona Bruce is one of the main supporters of the amendment. She related in The Daily Telegraph that the Government has shown a lack of interest in this issue, claiming that the coalition Government ‘persistently denied’ that sex selective abortions were happening in the UK. Referring to the statistical analysis that the Government used to back up its claims, Bruce said:
Government ‘sorry’ over Christian group conference ban
A Christian organisation has received a public apology after its event was banned from a Government-owned venue because of its traditional marriage beliefs. In 2012, the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre prevented Christian Concern from holding a debate which was to feature speakers for and against gay marriage. The centre cancelled the event the night before it was due to take place, saying the group’s views were ‘inappropriate’ for a Government-owned building. But Christian Concern took legal action, and has now reached an out-of-court settlement with the conference centre and the Department for Communities and Local Government which owns the venue. It said: “The Centre accepts that some people have deeply held views about the nature of marriage, and that every individual has the freedom to express these in accordance with the law. (See Prayer Alert 5-7-2012)
Armed Forces in action
Although other items take priority in the news please remember that the military is still conducting dangerous missions against the forces of IS. Royal Air Force (RAF) aircraft supporting Iraqi ground forces as part of the international coalition have conducted multiple air strikes on IS terrorists in recent days as they continued to strengthen security in the area east of Mount Sinjar. Please pray for their protection. For more info: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/latest-iraq-air-strikes The military also play a vital role in combatting Ebola as they combine their roles of logistics, planning, supply and medical work and training. Continuing the government’s commitment to help tackle the Ebola outbreak in west Africa, Headquarters 11 Infantry Brigade will take on a central command role. Usually based in Aldershot, they will take over from 104 Logistics Brigade who have been in Sierra Leone since September 2014.
