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

The Institute on Religion and Public Policy is applauding the decision of the Moscow City Court April 16 to recognize the legal legitimacy of the Salvation Army's Moscow branch. "This is a great victory for the Salvation Army and a tremendous victory for religious freedom and rule of law in Russia," said Joseph Grieboski, the institute's president, from his office in Washington, D.C. The Moscow City Court agreed with a lower court ruling that an earlier decision to liquidate the Salvation Army in Moscow was "illegal." The institute views this victory with "cautious optimism" and hopes that it is a "sign of positive trends developing in rule of law, democratization and freedom of religion in Russia." (Assist News Service)

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

SARS PROMPTS MINISTRY TO CUT BACK SUMMER PROGRAMS IN ASIA

While Asian countries work to stop the spread of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), news from the World Health Organization that the disease has already peaked came too late for ministries such as SEND International, said spokesman Dave Tucker. "This has dramatically affected many of our ministries in eastern Asia for the coming summer," he said. "Our field leadership out there has requested that nobody, either short or long term, or even a visitor travel to China until at least Aug. 31." Tucker urges believers to pray for not only the government, but personnel essential to evangelistic work. "Pray for those who are ministering in these areas, missionaries as well as national leaders who are staying there to serve, that they will have the wisdom and discretion to know what they should be doing, what they should avoid, ministries that can continue, ministries that should stop for the duration." (Mission Network News)

SECRECY SURROUNDS PROPOSED CHANGES TO RELIGION LAW IN TAJIKISTAN

Religious leaders are concerned about proposed amendments to Tajikistan's law on religion which officials are expected to adopt later this year. "My main worry is that the draft law is being prepared behind the scenes without public discussion," said Baptist pastor Aleksei Tsirulev. Said Akhmedov, chairman of the government's Committee for Religious Affairs, said individual religious communities will need to present a list of at least 100 members to obtain registration. While Muslim, Russian Orthodox and Jehovah's Witness representatives say this would not be difficult, Tsirulev expressed concern, warning that "this will mean that in many towns and villages our fellow believers will be deprived of the opportunity to observe religious rituals." (Forum 18 News Service)

* HCJB World Radio has been airing weekly Christian programs in the Tajik language via shortwave since 1999. More than 4 million people speak this language.

BIBLE-READING MARATHON SETS TONE FOR NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

Today's 52nd annual National Day of Prayer marks a period in American history that reveals the heart of the people filled with uncertainty. Bible Pathway Ministries' Mike Hall says this is an opportune time to let people hear for themselves what the Bible says. He was referring to the 13th annual Bible Reading Marathon in Washington, D.C., that led up to the Day of Prayer. It takes about 80 hours to read the entire Bible. "People are expressing grave concerns about terrorism and the threat of terrorism," he says. "People are worried, and they're looking for something to believe in and something to stand on. That's what we're trying to offer by reading the Bible." Hall says many religious leaders are meeting in the nation's capital, talking to legislators and encouraging more prayer and dependence on God. (Mission Network News)

BRITISH RADIO MINISTRY REINTRODUCES POPULAR 'ONLINE CONFESSIONAL'

London's Premier Radio has reintroduced its popular online confessional (www.theconfessor.org.uk), offering visitors the chance for a meaningful experience with God via the Internet. Computer users who log on to the site are shown a series of promises from the Bible concerning the act of confessing sin to God. Visitors then have the choice of either confessing their sins silently or typing them into the space provided. "This is between you and God and your privacy is totally respected," the website states. The site also offers Bible verses to meditate on before making a confession. After a brief explanation of how sin alienates people from God and others, and how confession of sin restores a relationship with Him and others, visitors are invited to confess their sins. (Assist News Service)

BIBLE MINISTRY DISTRIBUTES 640 MILLION SCRIPTURES IN 65 YEARS

The Bible League (TBL), a ministry founded in 1938, continues to bring people into a discipleship relationship with Christ through His Word. All ministry is done by national Christians through local churches. Last year about 360,000 believers in 48 countries were trained in the ministry's method of evangelism and discipleship called, Project Philip, based on Acts 8. Through this method, more than 2.5 million new believers have been discipled. In 65 years TBL reports it has published Scripture portions in 700 languages, distributed 640 million copies and trained national church planters who have established 25,465 churches in previously unreached areas worldwide. (The Bible League)

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