Europe
Russia: persecution of missionaries
Individuals of almost every religious affiliation continue to face prosecution under Russia’s ‘anti-missionary legislation’ for exercising their right to freedom of religion and belief. Despite a 2018 constitutional court decision which offered some…
Russia: vaccine approved for use
Vladimir Putin said a vaccine for Covid-19 has been given regulatory approval after less than two months’ testing on humans. It has passed all the required checks, and he added that his daughter…
Albania: ‘take more care of people’
Monsignor George Frendo, chair of Albania’s interfaith council, has appealed for the country to take more care of its people’s health. ‘Have we reconciled with the coronavirus? Or are we afraid that more…
Germany: attack on anti-Semitism commissioner
The government-appointed commissioner to combat anti-Semitism, Felix Klein, was criticised in an open letter to Angela Merkel from sixty academics, authors and artists in Germany and Israel. They warned the Chancellor concerning ‘provocative,…
UK citizens relocate after Brexit vote
Research has found that the number of British nationals emigrating to other EU countries has risen by 30% since the Brexit referendum, with half making their decision to leave in the first three…
Covid-19 Pandemic Prayer Update
A prayer report looking at Covid-19 Hot Spots, Flattening the Curve, and Hopes for a Vaccine with links to resources As of 30th July, the total global figure for people infected by Covid-19…
Russia: anti-Putin protests
Sergei Furgal, governor of the far eastern city of Khabarovsk, was interrogated and ordered to be held in jail for two months. Thousands of demonstrators have been gathering in the streets for three…
Brexit deadlock
Brexit talks have stalled over a series of key issues; neither the UK and EU has shown any willingness to make concessions. The future of British fisheries has remained one bone of contention…
Post-pandemic church: canopy of prayer over Europe
Some churches have faced the lockdown challenge by simply meeting the needs of their existing congregations. This could be a missed opportunity to discover what it might look like to ‘go and make…
EU agrees on a plan to save itself
EU leaders have agreed on a 750 billion euro coronavirus relief package, both in loans and grants. A major accomplishment: for the first time all 27 members agreed to share the financial burden…
