Post Office 'failings' over cash shortfall investigations
The Post Office failed to find out why large cash shortfalls occurred at sub-post offices before starting civil and criminal proceedings against sub-postmasters, according to a report by forensic accountants. The report looked into complaints by sub-postmasters of unfair sackings and wrongful convictions caused by flaws in control systems. Concerns were raised by MPs in 2012. The Post Office vehemently denies the report's conclusions. The report also revealed that the Post Office had refused to hand over documents which the accountants felt they needed to investigate properly. A number of MPs raised concerns that dozens of sub-postmasters had been faced with unexpected demands to pay large shortfalls - and been sacked, sued or prosecuted for theft when they could not pay. Alan Bates, chairman of the Justice for Sub-postmasters Alliance, has previously said problems with the computer system were reported since its introduction more than a decade ago.
Fourth attempt to redefine marriage at Stormont
The Northern Ireland Assembly is to vote on redefining marriage at the end of the month, despite similar proposals having already been rejected three times in the last three years. Four MLAs have tabled a motion calling for marriage to be brought in for same-sex couples. The Christian Institute has warned that the motion also seeks to limit the free speech of Christians who object to the redefinition of marriage. A spokesman said, ‘the motion last year claimed to support ‘freedom of religion’ but this has now been deleted. It looks like they only want to allow free speech within church services. But a Christian’s faith must apply to every area of life. We can’t section off Christ’s teaching from our daily activities.' The motion will be debated on 27 April. MLAs have defeated three similar attempts to introduce gay marriage, in 2012, 2013 and again last year. In April 2014, MLAs voted 51 to 43 against redefining marriage. See also the statement from 'The Mill Gathering'in last week's Prayer Alert.
France foils jihadist attack on Paris Church
Top security officials in France say they've arrested an Islamic jihadist in Paris who was planning an attack on at least one church. In a press conference on Wednesday, the country's interior minister says the suspect - whose name has not been released yet - is a 24-year-old Algerian computer science student. He was arrested on Sunday after he shot himself by accident and called for an ambulance. That is when police found an arsenal of weapons and notes about potential targets in his car. Documents proved without any ambiguity that the individual was preparing an imminent attack against one or two churches. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manuel Valls reminded French citizens that the country was facing an unprecedented terrorist threat, saying ‘Terrorists are targeting France to divide us and our response must be to protect citizens and rally together as we face terrorism’. See also article 1 in the Europe section.
Can this be true? Two million Indonesian Muslims find Jesus each year
Some startling facts are causing quite a stir among the Muslim population in Indonesia, amid all the news about Islam's gains around the world. In Indonesia - the most populous Muslim nation - 2 million Muslims are converting to Christianity per year. That's one new convert every 15 seconds. At this rate, Indonesia will be mostly Christian by 2035. Some Muslims are so alarmed they've created a video on YouTube to alert other Muslims to this menace and are trying to raise $2 million to start a TV station aimed at Muslim youth to keep them in Islam. Read the full story via the ‘More’ link.
