Iran: 450 new believers baptised
More than 240 Iranians were baptised recently in two large celebrations in the Iran region. According to Elam Ministries a further sixteen were baptised in a smaller service, and about 200 more are to be baptised at a fourth celebration. These baptism services are joyful day-long gatherings, with sessions of worship, preaching, prayer for the nation of Iran, Holy Communion and shared meals. In a separate story, Elam Ministries announced that 30,000 copies of the ‘Action Bible’ have come off the press. This version of the Bible for children and youth was launched in Persian in 2013 and has been incredibly popular. Another 150,000 New Testaments were also printed recently, ready for more evangelism in the Iran region.
Syria: US - Russian truce plan
The USA and Russia announced plans for a cessation of Syrian hostilities to take effect tomorrow. It excludes IS and Nusra Front. UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon welcomed the announcement, which followed a failed attempt to restart peace talks by Staffan de Mistura in Geneva. De Mistura said, ‘We can now relaunch, very soon, the political process needed to end this conflict.’ Under the cessation terms, parties would indicate their agreement to the United States and Russia by noon Damascus time today, and the truce would take effect at midnight. To succeed, the deal will require both countries to persuade their allies on the ground to comply. Fighting and airstrikes s continued this week, according to a British-based monitoring group. Meanwhile, the Turkish government has said it doesn't think a deal will be respected by all.
Turkey: terrorist attack complicates the Mideast conflict
A car bomb which destroyed a convoy of military vehicles last Wednesday during Ankara's evening rush hour killed 28 and wounded over sixty. This act of terrorism was blamed on three assailants but claimed by none. Complicating the situation is the Russian attempt to draw Turkey further into the Syrian military conflict; some see it as payback for the Turkish downing of a Russian bomber several months ago. Russia's bombing of rebel groups fighting the Assad regime has angered and frustrated the Western allies; they feel that Daesh is the target, and consider the Kurdish YPG militia in Syria (which Turkey and Russia are attacking) an important partner in the war. The many separate rebel and militia groups appear to be controlled by more powerful regimes, such as Russia and Iran. The recent attack in Ankara only complicates what is already a clandestine proxy war.
Australia: Play School to feature gay fathers
A popular early learning TV programme, Play School, plans to feature a child with two fathers in a segment which profiles different types of blended families. Executive producer of the beloved preschool show, Jan Stradling, confirmed that the programme will feature an adopted family, an extended family, a blended family, an indigenous nuclear family and a family with two dads in its ‘Through the Windows’ segment to be screened later this year. A similar segment in 2004 featuring two gay mothers was attacked by the conservative press and the then Prime Minister John Howard, who described the ABC's decision to broadcast as foolish. But since then public support for same-sex marriage has grown, and the Turnbull government plans to develop a plebiscite on same-sex marriage after the next federal election.
