Greek bailout vote reignites euro crisis
European stocks have fallen sharply in trading after George Papandreou, the Greek prime minister, called for a national referendum on a eurozone-backed rescue package for his country's debt-crippled economy. Papandreou's call for a referendum raised the prospect that Greeks, a majority of whom oppose crippling austerity cuts which have been a precondition for international bailout funds according to polls, will derail the rescue efforts agreed by European leaders last week that would provide a $140bn loan to Athens and write off half of the country's debt. There is concern that the referendum would be unlikely to take place before January, creating months of uncertainty for the markets. The announcement has taken other European leaders by surprise, ahead of the G20 summit in Cannes, France, this week. In Germany, a member of Angela Merkel’s centre-right coalition said the news of the referendum gave the impression that Greece was trying to backtrack on its deal with EU leaders.
Pray:for the EU as it seeks a solution for the financial problems that are troubling them, especially the Greek situation. (Pro.3:13)
More:http://english.aljazeera.net/news/europe/2011/11/201111182840767842.html
Protests start ahead of G20 summit
Politicians are facing pressure from the streets ahead of this week’s G20 summit. The city of Nice has already been the venue of one big demonstration. One local woman said: ‘We just want the poor of the planet to be taken into account, and for everything that happens on a global level to take human rights into account.’ Protest groups say they are determined to make their voices heard. A man from Spain said: ‘While we’re political we are non-partisan, and we’re not anti-system, we’re anti-capitalist. We believe that there are good politicians as there are good policies, of course there are. What is happening is that the ‘bad’ ones are the ones who have a lot of power.’ Security has been stepped up ahead of the summit, with hundreds of extra police officers on duty. Protesters from numerous countries are descending on the French Riviera.
Pray:that the current problems in the EU will not dominate the G20 meeting but allow for open discussion. (Pro.13:10)
More:http://www.euronews.net/2011/11/01/protests-start-ahead-of-g20-summit-in-cannes/
Protests start ahead of G20 summit
Politicians are facing pressure from the streets ahead of this week’s G20 summit. The city of Nice has already been the venue of one big demonstration. One local woman said: ‘We just want the poor of the planet to be taken into account, and for everything that happens on a global level to take human rights into account.’ Protest groups say they are determined to make their voices heard. A man from Spain said: ‘While we’re political we are non-partisan, and we’re not anti-system, we’re anti-capitalist. We believe that there are good politicians as there are good policies, of course there are. What is happening is that the ‘bad’ ones are the ones who have a lot of power.’ Security has been stepped up ahead of the summit, with hundreds of extra police officers on duty. Protesters from numerous countries are descending on the French Riviera.
Pray:that the current problems in the EU will not dominate the G20 meeting but allow for open discussion. (Pro.13:10)
More:http://www.euronews.net/2011/11/01/protests-start-ahead-of-g20-summit-in-cannes/
Many Christians concerned about same sex marriage.
A new poll by ComRes has found that a massive 83% of church-going Christians in the UK are opposed to plans by the Conservative Party to legalise homosexual marriage, and 57% of all respondents are ‘less likely to vote’ for the party because of this move.
The poll results are likely to be viewed as very concerning by the Conservative Party, as church-going Christians represent several million votes. The poll found that: 83% were opposed to homosexual marriage; 93% were concerned that clergy would have to conduct homosexual marriages against their consciences; 85% that the value of marriage would be further undermined; 88% that schools would be required to teach the equal validity of same-sex and heterosexual relationships. Andrea Minichiello Williams, CEO of Christian Concern, said: ‘God has ordained that marriage is between one man and one woman. These truths are timeless and are for the benefit of mankind. We ignore them at our peril.’
Pray: for the sanctity of marriage as based on Biblical truths to be preserved. (Heb.13:4)
