*Nejnovější zprávy v originální anglické verzi jsou vždy ZDE (klikněte).

As tensions continue to mount in North Korea, the country is experiencing a growing food crisis, says Beth Allen of Food for the Hungry. "More than 20 percent of the population is in dire need of food aid this year," she says. "The political situation there combined with some really bad weather conditions -- drought and even flooding in the last couple of years -- has left people in the population vulnerable. We're particularly concerned about children and the elderly." Allen says getting humanitarian aid into North Korea is a challenge, but one that can be met by the love of Christ. "These are people who are absolutely powerless in the world. They have absolutely nothing to do with the policies of their government, and those are the kinds of people that we want to help, particularly, are those people who have no other resource." (Mission Network News)

MOB ATTACKS PEOPLE AT CRUSADE IN ETHIOPIA, KILLING 2

On Dec. 29, a mob attacked people attending a crusade in Mekelle, Ethiopia, killing two and injuring many others. A local source indicated that the crusade, organized by the Ethiopian Full Gospel Church, was in its final day when a mob of Ethiopian Orthodox militants attacked. Mekelle is the capital of northern Ethiopia's Tigray state which is strongly Orthodox and has often been the site of persecution against evangelicals. The source said there were at least 12 serious attacks against evangelical Christians in Ethiopia in 2002. Societal discrimination, individual physical assaults and a denial of police protection are commonplace, especially in rural areas, he said. (Voice of the Martyrs)

* Staff members at HCJB World Radio-Australia's studios record Oromo language programs that are aired to 28 million speakers in Ethiopia and Kenya via shortwave.

HINDU RADICALS TARGET MISSIONARIES WORKING WITH UNREACHED GROUP

Hindu radicals in India attacked missionaries working among the Dhakti Bhils in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan Christmas week. The militants destroyed an electric generator, microphone and Christian literature, and then turned on the missionaries themselves. The exact state of the missionaries' wellbeing was not known. Due to problems with communication, a messenger was sent to the site for more information. The Dhakti Bhils are an underreached people group that inhabit the Thar Desert and neighboring Pakistan. The missionaries had pioneered work among them and had planted a small worshiping congregation among them. (Missions Insider)

* In partnership with FEBA Radio, HCJB World Radio airs weekly Christian programs to eastern India via shortwave in three languages: Bhojpuri, Chattisgarhi and Mundari. HCJB World Radio also broadcasts 1.5 hours of English programming daily to India via shortwave from South America. The ministry is investigating potential opportunities to help launch local Christian stations in key cities across India.

'ETHNIC CLEANSING' RESUMES IN SUDAN'S OILFIELDS

Christian Solidarity International reported that "ethnic cleansing operations" have resumed in the vicinity of Talisman and Lundin oil installations in Sudan's western Upper Nile region, said a senior official with the Sudanese People's Liberation Movement. The Sudanese government launched a six-day offensive in Mayom and Leer counties Dec. 31, involving approximately 1,500 ground troops supported by helicopter gunships. In Lare, government troops burned the facilities of the World Food Program and MSF-Holland. The most recent incidents took place on Jan. 6 when government troops attacked villages around the town of Tam. Tens of thousands of civilians have been displaced from their homes and are without food and shelter. Local officials are still trying to determine the number of killed, wounded and abducted civilians. The Red Cross has evacuated some of the wounded. Since last June thousands of women and children have been abducted by government soldiers in the region and transferred to government-controlled areas. (Religion Today)

FEBA RADIO TO PHASE OUT SHORTWAVE OPERATIONS IN SEYCHELLES

FEBA Radio plans to phase out its shortwave operations from the Seychelles, closing the station by the end of the year, reports a communiqué from the ministry. "Growing difficulty in maintaining a station which uses 30-year-old technology, and increased competition from less expensive broadcasting outlets, coupled with the difficulty of broadcasting to India because of difficulties with sunspots the next three years indicate that the timing is set for change." Far East Broadcasting Association believes that it is entering an exciting period of challenge and change," the memo said. "We must move with the times if we are to be good stewards of our resources. This strategy means that we can better meet the needs of our listeners in the 21st century." Instead of broadcasting from its own transmitters, FEBA will purchase airtime on suitable facilities elsewhere. (Radio Netherlands)

BRITISH SURVEY: SCHOOLS KEY TO IMPARTING RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE

When researchers at Exeter University in the U.K. surveyed more than 500 youngsters about their religious knowledge, they received some surprising but also reassuring answers. More than half (54 percent) did not know that Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, but three-quarters of them (77 percent) knew that, according to the Bible, He rose from the dead. The survey, sponsored by the Jerusalem Trust, an organization supporting Christian education, found that 44 percent of the children could name a specific biblical parable, with the story of the Good Samaritan best known. About half could cite at least one of the Bible's miracle stories. British schools are required by law to teach religion which must "reflect the fact that the religious traditions in Great Britain are in the main Christian, while taking account of the teachings and practices of other principal religions represented." Terence Copley of Exeter, principal author of the survey, said the "common idea among Christian groups that schools are failing to deliver on religion is not borne out by the survey. Jesus, however, often comes across as just a good man in a secular, 21st-century sense." One of the surprises in the survey was that children were getting most of their religious education from school, even if they came from religious families. (Episcopal News Service)

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