World: Food prices
The World Bank President reported global food prices hitting all-time dangerous high levels. Globally, high food prices could contribute to political instability and push millions into poverty. Extremely strange weather patterns the world over destroyed many crops and has hit the supply of food available to a higher demand for food. People in the developing nations have been hit the hardest because they have to spend as much as half their income on food. In the USA corn prices increased 60 % increasing cereal and meat prices. High energy prices are also to blame. Food prices are expected to continue to rise as many of the new year's crops are not yet planted, Economists say relief could be months away.
Pray: for Governments to recognise and compassionately act upon the repercussions of this shortage on the population’s poorest. (Pr.11:25)
More: http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/finance/2011/February/World-Food-Prices-at-Dangerous-High-Levels/
Iran: Warns those who remain defiant
On Wednesday Iran said it is planning to take action against opposition leaders Mir Hossein Mousavi and Mehdi Karroubi, who reject the presidency of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and who had called for a demonstration on Monday which turned deadly. MPs are demanding they be executed for their defiance by initiating public protests. Mohseni Ejeie said, ‘The heads of seditions are the people who should be punished for their criminal acts and God willing actions in this regard are being taken.’ Iranian officials accuse USA, Britain and Israel of influencing the thousands of anti-government protesters in the streets and the clashes with riot-police. The protest, initially held in solidarity with Arab uprisings, were the first anti-government demonstration since February 2010 when similar agitation was crushed by security forces and militiamen. Karroubi said in a website statement he was ready to 'pay any price.’
Pray: for Iranian leaders to listen to the voice of the people. (Pr.11:2)
More: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20110216/wl_mideast_afp/iranpoliticsunrest_20110216110101
China: Prayer for Christian rights lawyers
Two years after Beijing lawyer Gao Zhisheng was arrested there is still no news of his whereabouts or condition. There are many religious rights lawyers currently detained in China. Dr Fan Yafeng, head of the Chinese Christian Human Rights' Lawyers Association, was detained on December 9 and tortured repeatedly over several days – he is now under house arrest. Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports 'an increase in the Chinese authorities' use of house arrest in recent months to suppress human rights activists. The decision to award the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize to Chinese activist Liu Xiaobo is considered the trigger for this crackdown. China Aid reports a recent increase in 'physical attacks on lawyers' by court officials. They also report a well-known blind legal activist, Chen Guangcheng, and his wife, being severely beaten this week over a YouTube video about their house arrest. They were confined to their bed and denied medical treatment after the attack.
Pray: for detained Christians to be aware of Jesus presence in the midst of their suffering. (Jn.ll:35)
More: http://www.releaseinternational.org/pages/posts/china-call-for-prayer-for-persecuted-christian-rights-lawyers-805.php
Uganda: Country holding elections on Friday
On Wednesday Uganda entered the final day of campaigning in elections that will likely secure another term for President Yoweri Museveni, already the longest-serving leader in the region. Attention is already shifting to the immediate post-poll period, with the presidents’ main rival Kizza Besigye vowing to conduct his own tally of the votes. Besigye has claimed only rigging could deprive him of victory and warned that Uganda was ripe for an Egypt-style revolt, saying last week, ‘The brutality of the state represses people until they explode. And once they explode no amount of brutality can stop them.’ Most observers believe a lack of Internet-based activists in Uganda undermines parallels with the popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt. However, praise God, at a prayer rally organised by the Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) presidential candidates pledged to strive for a violence-free election. The leaders also committed to accept the poll's outcome and find constitutional ways to address any disputes. See
Pray: that the church in Uganda would succeed in holding political leaders accountable to their commitment made before God. (Mic. 2:1)
More: http://www.capitalfm.co.ke/news/Africa/Uganda-vote-set-to-return-veteran-leader-11713.html
