China: 'Jasmine' blogger arrested
A Christian activist in Sichuan who is a friend of the arrested man said that ‘Ran Yunfei is a writer and literature magazine editor from Sichuan who was detained without charge for over a month as unrest rippled across the Middle East. Later he was formally charged for inciting subversion of state power. Ran is a prominent writer and his arrest for challenging the Communist Party is the latest in a string of crackdowns on dissent. The 46-yearold was detained as many online calls for similar ‘Jasmine Revolution’ protests in mainland China spread. His arrest was described by friends as ‘the crime of expressing your opinions, and in this case the prosecutors will probably use essays that Ran has published on the Internet.’ The charge against Ran of inciting subversion was also used to jail Liu Xiaobo, the dissident who won the Nobel Peace Prize. Pray: for God's peace and comfort to the dozens of lawyers, bloggers and ‘dissidents’ in Beijing's harsh prisons. (Ps.140:4) More: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=3&art_id=109582&sid=31823447&con_type=1&d_str=20110329&fc=1
Israel: Prepare for War?
In the wake of a terrorist attack in Jerusalem last Wednesday, Palestinian militants continued firing rockets into southern Israel. Israel launched new airstrikes in Gaza. Islamic Jihad, a Middle Eastern terrorist group, claimed responsibility for Thursday’s rocket fire. However, Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak said the nation holds Hamas responsible. Hamas said it wants to ‘restore calm’ and would not attack. Israeli’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that the nation will not be passive about terrorism. See: Yesterday CNN reported Israeli aircraft hitting a terrorist squad in the Southern Gaza Strip which had launched rockets towards Israeli communities. A Palestinian citizen was killed. A Hamas statement said Israel shelled a tunnel on the Palestinian-Egyptian border with no injures reported. There has been a week of heightened violence between the two sides. Pray: against an escalation of violence. (Pr.3:31) More: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/03/30/israel.airstrike/
Middle East: Update
Syria’s government resigned and appointed caretaker premier Naji al-Otari. The government has little power in Syria, where control is in the hand of President Assad, his family and the security apparatus. Otari has been prime minister since 2003. See: Saudi Arabian women are demanding equality in a country where women can’t drive or vote and need male approval to work and travel. They are attempting to force change with online organizing that helped topple Egypt’s Hosni Mubarak. See: l Bahrain detaines bloggers and supporters of Shiite-led pro-reform protests. Hundreds of opposition activists and leaders have been detained since martial-type laws were introduced two weeks ago. See: Egypt's Zahi Hawass the minister of state under ousted President Mubarak was re elected to a government post. His appointment will anger pro-democracy activists calling for all old regime elements to be eliminated. Pray: for a mighty recognition of God's purposes and plans by all to whom He gives His authority and for courage for them to do whatever He tells them. (Jn.2:3) More: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i2JVifEYiqojJkfmiwSLj22tg7uQ?docId=CNG.bfb8229dcf908f07a113483065bb30aa.281
Iran: Iranian video says Mahdi is near
CBN News Terrorism Analyst reported the Iranian government believes the Islamic messiah (Mahdi) is about to appear. An Iranian regime-produced video called, ‘The Coming is Near’ describes current events in the Middle East as a prelude to the arrival of the mythical twelfth Imam or Mahdi. - a messiah figure who Islamic scriptures say will lead the armies of Islam to victory over all non-Muslims in the last days. According to an insider to the Iranian regime, ‘Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's office screened this movie recently with much excitement for the clerics.’ The target audience is Muslims in the Middle East and around the world. The video claims Iran is destined to rise as a great power in the last days to defeat America and Israel and usher in the return of the Mahdi; it makes clear the Iranians believe that time is fast approaching. Pray: for Jesus Christ to reveal himself in power to President Ahmadinejad (Is.2:2) and for Iranian Christians to have many safe opportunities for evangelism at this time. (Col.4:3)
