Greece: First bailout instalment on 17 August
If the expected timeline runs on schedule, Greece could be seeing the first instalment of the 86 billion euros of bailout money on 17 August. Bloomberg reports that an official ‘with knowledge’ said that negotiations between the Greek government and international creditors should be concluded by 6 August. If the Greek parliament agrees to the deal by 7 August, the Euro Working Group and the Eurozone‘s finance ministers will endorse the programme by 11 August. The national parliaments of other countries must also approve the bailout package by 13 August. Please pray for the Greek government to implement reforms despite fierce opposition, and for the unity of the nation. Pray also for obstacles to be removed and investments to be made so that there will be employment for the many young people who are in their late 20s and early 30s and have not yet worked.
Community centre hosts caliphate class
A community centre in Rochdale hosted a men-only course on the correct understanding of an Islamic State. Posters for the ‘Khilafah Course’ promised discussion on foreign policy, the judicial system and the treatment of non-Muslims in an Islamic caliphate and lectures entitled ‘Is fighting the method to establish a state?’ and ’The conditions of a Khilafah.’ Those attending the course at Castlemere community centre in Rochdale were also encouraged to attend the Manchester Khilafah Conference organised by Hizb ut-Tahrir, which government ministers have threatened to ban but remains legal. See also: http://www.hizb.org.uk/report/the-islamic-khilafah-a-manifesto-for-change
Prison smoking ban could cause 'stability issues'
The Government intends to ban smoking in all prisons in England and Wales to reduce health risks. It is currently allowed in prison cells and exercise yards. The move follows a series of legal challenges by prison officers and inmates who have complained about passive smoking. Ministers are drawing up plans to convert the first jails to be smoke-free next year. Prison Governors’ Association president Andrea Albutt cautiously welcomed the move but said it must be done in a safe and staged way as 80% of prisoners smoked. An ex-prisoner said, ‘There is a black market in any banned goods. Tobacco will be a currency. Tobacco is a way of dealing with stress. If you take away tobacco it’ll become a war of attrition within the prison system and there will be violence. They tried it in Australia recently and there was an immediate riot.’
Northern Ireland police rescue trafficking victims
Sixteen potential human trafficking victims were rescued in south Armagh. Officers searched premises in Newtownhamilton last Friday and spent a number of days working with colleagues in partner agencies to identify the individuals who may have been trafficked. The operation focused on eastern Europeans working in the agricultural sector. Detectives from the PSNI Human Trafficking Unit are working with colleagues in HM Revenue and Customs, the Gangmasters’ Licensing Authority, the Health and Safety Executive and local police. The potential victims, men and women aged between 18 and 45, are being cared for by Migrant Help and Women's Aid as part of the Department of Justice's human trafficking support network. They will be assessed for referral to the UK Human Trafficking Centre, which is run by the National Crime Agency. In a separate investigation, in Belfast, five potential victims of trafficking were identified and are being looked after by police and partner agencies.
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