Israel: PM takes 'firm stand' on peace talks
On Tuesday Binyamin Netanyahu told US congress, ‘Israel will compromise for peace but will not return to 1967 borders’ stressing Israel’s position as a democratic ‘friend of America’. He largely ruled out movement on the issues that are important to Palestinians, stating the issue of Palestinian refugees must be resolved outside the borders of Israel and that Jerusalem must remain the united capital of Israel. Saeb Erekat, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation's executive committee said, ‘We've not heard any new words in Netanyahu's speech in front of congress tonight. He's chosen to dictate, not negotiate.’ After Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the Congress thousands of activists conducted meetings with senators and house members.
Pray: for a partnership of peace to be allowed to grow in the region and for the Peace of Jerusalem to be constant. (Is.33:20)
More: http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2011/05/2011524151456629671.html
Vietnam: Hmong targeted by Vietnamese troops
Unarmed Viet-Hmong protesters are the targets of helicopter attacks along the northern Vietnam border. Troops are reacting to peaceful Hmong mass rallies seeking human rights and land reforms. The helicopter gunships forced many of the protesters into the mountains. Vision Beyond Borders working in the region distributing Bibles to the Hmong people said, ‘There is a revival going on in Vietnam at this time and most of that revival is happening with the Hmong people. Even though this persecution has come, I do know that it's not slowing down what God has in store for these people. There's always been a certain unrest among the Hmong, primarily due to the fact that they helped the CIA during the Vietnam conflict.’ Pray: for a spiritual fortification for all God's people and purposes at this time and for His word to be read and preached across the region. (Mt.24:14)
Sudan: Thousands flee burning and looting by North Sudan forces
Thousands of civilians have been displaced following the occupation of Abyei Town by the Sudan Armed Forces at the weekend. Christian Solidarity International reported that 20,000 desperate civilians fled across the river Kiir and are sheltering under trees from the rain. The UN Mission in Sudan reports burning and looting by northern forces in Abyei Town and members of the UN Security Council have demanded that North Sudan withdraws its 5000-strong force from the area. Oil-rich Abyei is a disputed region with northern Sudan and newly-formed South Sudan both staking a claim for an area inhabited permanently by nine Ngok Dinka chiefdoms. Abyei is a key part of the comprehensive peace agreement that ended a civil war that ravaged the country since 1983.
Pray: for God to remove the spiritual atmosphere of war and destruction that remains over the area. (Ps.37:16,17)
More: http://www.assistnews.net/Stories/2011/s11050147.htm
Nortth Korea: Food shortage?
A US/South Korean fact-finding team will visit North Korea on Tuesday to conduct an eight day investigation into people starving in remote regions. They hope to assess the amount of food necessary to relieve thousands of people. A South Korean spokesman said, ‘Transparency of the North’s distribution of food must be guaranteed before any food is sent’. Pyongyang’s past reluctance to disclose their food distribution process to outsiders sparked suspicions that most of the aid is used to feed its army and political elite. It is suspected Kim Jong-ll is stockpiling rice to release on the 100th anniversary of its founder Kim Il-sung next year. - See: For scandalous information from a Christian missionary detained in North Korea for two months please read this weeks Insight report. Pray:for all that is hidden to be revealed. For God to rule over and throughout all negotiations and investigations (Pr,16:4,5) Info: http://www.prayer-alert.net/info/NorthKoreaSuffering1.pdf
