Cyprus: Presidential election result renews optimism for reunification
Campaigning on a platform of peace in Turkish-occupied northern Cyprus, Mustafa Akinci is the new President, raising hopes of a breakthrough in stalled reunification talks on ethnically divided Cyprus. It is hoped Mr Akinci will end four decades of division on the island. Dr James Ker-Lindsay, an expert on Cyprus at the London School of Economics, said ‘Akinci, more than any other candidate, can reach out to the Greek Cypriots and make the compromises needed to get talks moving forward.’ UN-brokered negotiations, are expected to resume next month. The new leader has signalled he is open to measures that could help bridge fences in tandem with peace talks. (In 1974 Turkey seized more than a third of the island. In 1991 Turkish Cypriots proclaimed independence and have suffered increasing global isolation). In sharp contrast to the affluent Greek south, the Turkish north has slipped increasingly into poverty, hit by international sanctions and recognised only by Turkey.
Chile: Calbuco volcano erupts twice
The Calbuco volcano in southern Chile erupted twice last week, swewing out 2,400 million cubic feet of ash and forcing the evacuation of 6,000+ people. People are now trying to save their possessions and livestock as roofs of homes and businesses collapsed under the weight of 20” of ash and residents feared for their sheep and cows that are unable to graze. Soldiers have been deployed to help with the clean-up. The authorities have warned of the possibility of further eruptions. They also said that should it rain the ash could mix with debris to create dangerous mudflows and turn ash on the roads and roofs into hard crusts. By Monday residents who had been evacuated were allowed back briefly to salvage some possessions and farmers tried desperately to find places for grazing. Recently Chile has had its fair share of disasters with flooding in the usually arid north and wildfires
Qatar: Nepalese desperate to get home to Nepal
Hundreds of thousands of Nepali migrants working in Gulf States must be allowed to return home after the earthquake devastated their nation, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) said on Tuesday. ITUC has written to the Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates governments, asking them to suspend a sponsorship system which prevents the free movement of workers. (The system is criticised by human rights groups who compare it to modern day slavery) The United Nations estimates up to 8 million people have been affected by the quake. Hundreds of thousands of Nepali migrants are desperate for news of their loved ones, and want to return to Nepal and do what they can to meet their family’s needs, or in many cases bury their loved ones. They are helpless because they must honour a two or three year contract not to leave the country, not even being given compassionate leave at this time.
Tragic earthquake in Nepal
You have no doubt heard about the tragic earthquake in Nepal that so far has killed over 3400 people. The toll is likely to go higher. A friend of ours who leads a house of prayer in Kathmandu wrote a couple days ago:
“Please pray for Nepal. Please remember us in your prayer. Praise The Lord still we are safe from His grace but many people died including believers….We just built tent home and we will stay there tonight, please continue pray for us that God be us and protect everyone through His power. May The Lord bless you, Govinda and family”
Please be in prayer now for the following:
1 That the after shocks will calm down and for protection over those huddling in make-shift encampments outside their homes and in public squares.
2 For effective and well-coordinated national and international rescue and relief efforts for those who may still be trapped under collapsed buildings as well as for the quick supply of food, medicine and tents and that epidemics will be averted.
3 Pray also for God’s peace, comfort and love to surround this beautiful nation and this precious people, the great majority of whom still need to find Christ. May this tragedy and the loss of so many be used redemptively by the Lord to break the hold of Hindu and Buddhist idolatry and to bring huge numbers to deliverance and faith in Him.
Thanks for your prayers and may the Lord bless you,
John D Robb
