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

BRUTALITY OF NORTH KOREAN REGIME TOPS REPORT TO BRITISH PARLIAMENT

The nuclear threat from North Korea was linked with the "unbelievable brutality and viciousness" with which it treats its citizens in a debate introduced by Lord Alton in the British parliament last week. "Becoming a Christian in North Korea is a serious crime," Alton said in the House of Lords. "Many are thrown into camps or prison where they are kept in horrific conditions. There is evidence of water torture, severe beatings, sexual assault and violation as well as psychological and verbal abuse." Alton described the regime as "corrupt, paranoid and tyrannical. . . . To do nothing about North Korea would be the most dangerous option of all." Alton added that Christians "tend to suffer most of all. They are seen as a particular threat by the regime. They alone are not sentenced to a specific number of years. They are imprisoned as long as they keep their faith. If they renounce their faith and acknowledge Kim Jong-il, the present leader, as the supreme power, they may walk free. In addition, prison guards are promoted if they succeed in rehabilitating a Christian prisoner. This gives them a particular incentive to target Christians with beatings, torture, harsh labor, rape and other unspeakable treatment." (Christian Solidarity Worldwide)

MIDDLE EAST CHRISTIANS BRACE FOR BACKLASH IF WAR BEGINS IN IRAQ

Christians living in the Middle East are bracing for a possible backlash from Muslims if war breaks out in Iraq. Lee DeYoung from Words of hope, a radio ministry that broadcasts to the region in Arabic, says believers are concerned not only about the casualties that would result from war. "They're also concerned about would happen if law and order really breaks down there, and the extent to which Christians might be blamed for whatever damage and things happen." DeYoung says Christians wonder what life will be like with new leadership. "Iraq, for all of the difficulties and hardships that its people have suffered, religious persecution has been less of a problem there than in almost any other country in the region. So, in that sense it's actually been an environment where the number of Christians has grown in recent years." Shahbaz Bhatti, chairman of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, expressed concerns about how a war in Iraq would affect Christians of Pakistan. Since 9/11 the Christians of Pakistan have been attacked, killed, victimized, hated and butchered by the hands of pro-al-Qaida and pro-Taliban militants as retaliation against America and the West," he said. "These militants and hard-liners think that by killing Christians in Pakistan they are taking revenge on America and the West. These militants consider Christians and other non-Muslims as infidels and apostates and declare that it is a responsibility of every good Muslim to kill infidels." Last year more than 40 Christians were killed and more then 100 injured as a result of terrorist attacks in Pakistan. (Mission Network News/Assist)

TURMOIL IN TURKMENISTAN PUTS ADDITIONAL PRESSURE ON CHRISTIANS

The clampdown launched in the wake of the apparent assassination attempt of Turkmenistan President Saparmurad Niyazov last November is making life even more difficult for Christians in this country. Religious minorities -- especially Protestant Christians and Jehovah's Witnesses -- have already suffered the brunt of government pressure, being denied any public religious activity. With the Sunni Muslim community and the Russian Orthodox under tight state control, ordinary Orthodox believers are expected to suffer most from the latest crackdown. (Forum 18 News Service)

BAPTIST WORLD ALLIANCE CUTS BUDGET, CITING TOUGH ECONOMY

The Baptist World Alliance (BWA) has pared back its budget in light of a tough economy and anticipation of decreased funding from the Southern Baptist Convention. At their recent executive committee meeting, alliance leaders discussed how to deal with a $650,000 deficit and an investment income loss of $300,000. "The BWA cannot continue to function in a deficit situation, continually using the reserves," said General Secretary Rev. Denton Lotz. "Drastic situations therefore require drastic measures." The financial difficulties increased when the Southern Baptist Convention's executive committee unveiled plans in February for a global initiative that would redirect 30 percent of the funding it has traditionally given to the alliance. (Religion Today)

* LATIN AMERICAN LEADER AT HCJB WORLD RADIO AUTHORS FIRST BOOK

One of HCJB World Radio's key missionary leaders in Ecuador has authored his first book, giving Latin American pastors a long-awaited guide on leadership in their native language. More than 200 people attended a festive reception at the mission's Larson Center in Quito Feb. 28 for the unveiling of the Spanish-language book, "Leadership: My Own Ideas and Others," based on a series of messages by José "Chema" Reinoso, HCJB World Radio's assistant regional director for Latin America.

"There are many books on leadership that have been translated into Spanish, but very few have been written by a Latin American for the Latin community with the Latin flavor and setting," Reinoso said.

The book is the first in a series to be published in a cooperative effort of HCJB World Radio's Education Division and the Ecuadorian field office for Compassion, an international child sponsorship ministry. HCJB World Radio's Vozandes Printshop in Quito printed the first 2,500 copies which are available in local bookstores. Compassion is also planning a reception in Lima, Peru, when the book will be released this week.

In his eloquent but simple style, Reinoso often uses humor to share the ideas that formed his own style of leadership. The small book challenges pastors and church leaders to march forward with integrity and a spirit of service. (HCJB World Radio)

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