*Tato a další zprávy jsou (pouze v aktuální den) v originální anglické verzi zde.

A total of 170 Protestant Christians were jailed, beaten and threatened with death by Eritrean security forces in a harsh crackdown during February and March. In five separate incidents, police barged into worship services and even a wedding ceremony to jail men, women and children for practicing what government officials called a "new religion." Although no formal charges were filed against them, the jailed Protestants were held in cramped, suffocating cells for up to two weeks for refusing to return to the traditional Orthodox Church faith. One group of detainees endured 15 days in metal containers designed as severe punishment cells. Another congregation witnessed its pastor being tortured and humiliated in the jail yard. When relatives posted bail for the prisoners' release, they were forced to sign a statement acknowledging that if bailed prisoners were caught meeting in public or private with more than three others, they would be liable for execution. Meanwhile, 74 Protestant soldiers remain in a military prison near the southern port city of Assab after being arrested in February for refusing to recant and return to the Orthodox Church. (Compass)

MANY ARABS STILL VIEW LIBERATION OF IRAQ AS 'WESTERN OCCUPATION'

Despite the welcome that coalition forces are receiving in Iraq, many in the Arab world still view the liberation as "Western occupation" because they link Christianity with the West. Rody Rodeheaver of International Needs Network says that view is affecting his organization's ministry in Egypt. "It heightens the tensions between Muslims and Christians," he says. "Our executive director from Egypt, for instance, lives in an apartment building with lot of other Muslims, and they will not greet him anymore as they meet each other in the hallways." Despite that, the ministry continues in Egypt, including a growing Bible correspondence program. "We send out more than 4,000 Bible correspondence courses every month," Rodeheaver says. "They're going into places that I can't even tell you about because they're so sensitive." (Mission Network News)

EGYPTIAN OFFICIALS CANCEL BUILDING PERMIT, STRANDING

CONGREGATION Members of a Protestant church in Egypt are wondering where they will meet when local government officials withdrew a building license after construction to replace the demolished church had already begun. The church in Assiut, Upper Egypt, received notification in March that permission had been granted to demolish and rebuild the church. However, after demolishing their old building and laying new foundations, the building permit was canceled. This is the second time this year that local officials in Assiut have thwarted efforts of Christians to renovate their church buildings. Christian communities must seek presidential permission if they want to build a new church, while renovations only require the permission of local government officials. As a result, many Christian communities face a long, arduous application process to erect new churches. However, renovation projects are also being impeded or opposed by local government opposition or hostility. (Barnabas Fund)

RUSSIAN EVANGELICAL ALLIANCE REVITALIZED AFTER 97 YEARS

The Russian Evangelical Alliance, which had been inactive for nearly a century, was re-established April 2 at a meeting in Rumyantsevo near Moscow. The step was supported by the vast majority of the more than 150 participants, representing about 40 churches, organizations, associations, missions and local alliances, states a press release. A final constitution is to be passed at the group's national conference next year. Issues of membership, finance and leadership structures need further clarification. The delegates also set priorities to establish an annual prayer week, a joint Bible conferences and evangelistic campaigns and to execute various social and political responsibilities. "I was surprised by the degree of unanimity," said Gordon Showell-Rogers, general secretary of the European Evangelical Alliance in London, England. "It wasn't that people agreed reluctantly -- they agreed with strong passion about the matter at hand." Conference organizers stressed that the Russian Alliance is not a new idea. The first such group was founded in 1906 but unraveled a year later after a dispute between Baptists and the Orthodox-influenced Neomolokists on the issue of baptism. (Assist News Service)

* HCJB World Radio has been sending gospel broadcasts across Russia via shortwave since 1941. In the early 1990s the ministry began working to "plant" local radio ministries in Russia and now works with partners in a dozen cities. In 2000 HCJB World Radio helped launch the first Christian Russian radio satellite network (operated by Christian Radio for Russia) which reaches from Eastern Europe to Siberia. Downlinks have been installed with more than 26 partners across Russia, and many more are planned.

NEW STUDY REFERENCE BIBLE COMPLETED FOR INDIA'S HMAR PEOPLE

The Hmar people of northeastern India have a new study reference Bible through the work of translator Dr. Rochunga Pudaite, president of Bibles for the World. The study Bible was dedicated at the 29th annual general assembly of the Evangelical Free Church of India at Sielmat, Manipur. The Bible is being used not only by the Hmar people but also by other tribes in the region who do not have the Scriptures in their own language but can understand Hmar. Remembering the need of the native pastors, evangelists and lay leaders for books and Bible commentaries, Pudaite said it was essential to include exhaustive study helps, thousands of cross-references, a dictionary, subject index and full-color maps that can be easily followed by lay people. "Equipping these people with solid scriptural tools is essential as many pastors are shepherding several churches," he said. Different language groups are now appealing to Bibles for the World, the publisher of the Hmar Bible, for permission to include the same references in their own Bibles. (Assist News Service)

* In partnership with FEBA Radio, HCJB World Radio airs weekly Christian programs to eastern India via shortwave in three languages: Bhojpuri, Chattisgarhi and Mundari. A five-hour block of English programs also beams across India from a shortwave site in Kununurra, Australia. The ministry is investigating potential opportunities to help launch local Christian stations in key cities across India.

CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING HOUSE CUTS 24 STAFF POSITIONS AS BOOK SALES DROP

Multnomah Publishers, the company made famous by the best-selling book, The Prayer of Jabez, has cut two dozen staff positions. The publisher of religious and inspirational books announced it would eliminate 22 positions in its central Oregon headquarters and two outside positions. Multnomah expects profitable growth this year, but at a slower pace than in 2001 when The Prayer of Jabez became popular. Publishers Weekly cited the 92-page hardcover book by Bruce Wilkinson as the top-selling nonfiction book in 2001. "By focusing on fewer projects each year, we can concentrate our efforts on publishing books that better match our mission of being good stewards of life-changing content," said Don Jacobson, the company's president and publisher. Sales of The Prayer of Jabez have slowed to about 20,000 copies a month, down from 1 million monthly at its peak. That decrease played a role in the company's 46-percent drop in revenues, delaying plans for a new 55,000-square-foot headquarters. (Religion Today)

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