Pope calls on EU leaders to protect migrants from traffickers
Pope Francis has told European leaders to do more to help thousands of migrants risking their lives to get to the continent. Addressing the European Parliament for the first time, the pontiff referred to an estimated 3,200 migrants who have drowned this year trying to get to Europe. ‘There needs to be a united response to the question of migration. We cannot allow the Mediterranean to become a vast cemetery,’ he said. ‘The boats landing daily on the shores of Europe are filled with men and women who need acceptance and assistance,’ he added, calling on European powers to work together to protect immigrants from human traffickers. The Pope’s address comes just days after 600 migrants were rescued in the Mediterranean between Sicily and North Africa.
Hungary: Hold ‘public outrage day’ protests
Hungarians held rallies across the country on Monday in a protest dubbed ‘public outrage day’. In Budapest more than 10,000 marched accusing Prime Minister Viktor Orban of employing corrupt officials, curbing freedom of speech, failing to manage the economy and changing direction by moving away from the EU and towards Russia. It was the fifth major demonstration in a month. One protester said: ‘Corruption has become widespread in Hungary, and it is impossible to have a normal standard of living.’ Meanwhile Euronews’ reporter asked whether it was only the fault of the current government? A protester responded saying: ‘Over the last decades – as we have heard in the speeches – many bad things happened and the country started to go the wrong way.’ Another protester’s concerns were more about unemployment.
Austria: Radical Islam is active and growing
Has Austria become a growing regional centre for Islamic religious extremism? In this analysis, Benjamin Weinthal, who reports on European affairs for The Jerusalem Post, sees three different jihadist movements working actively in Austria. This small Central European country has recently made headlines because of its jihadi teenagers who have gone to fight in Syria. But it's radical Islam problem stretches beyond the Islamic State's recruitment of young Austrian men and women. The Alpine state has become a hub of extremism that includes not only Islamic State (IS) terrorism but also Iranian nuclear proliferation activities as well as active support for Hamas. ‘IS: Austria is terror hotspot,’ ran the headline of an interview published in September by the Osterreich newspaper's online news outlet. In April, Samra Kesinovic, 17, and Sabina Selimovic, 15, two Austrian girls who had been radicalised by a local mosque, departed to join the Islamic State in Syria.
URGENT PRAYER: Romania is at a crossroad in history
After 70 years of demonic influence of communism and because of the continuous threat coming from the East (Russia) they are desperate for freedom. This coming Sunday, the 16 November, they hold the final election for the President of Romania. There are two candidates: Victor Ponta is the current Prime Minister. He is the representative of the left and extremist parties, the most corrupted person they have ever had as a leader of the government. Johannis Klaus is the Mayor of Sibiu City. He represents the Christian Liberal Alliance. Under his leadership Sibiu was brought up from bankruptcy to one of the most prosperous and civilized city of the country. Mr Johannis is an Evangelical Lutheran believer. He has a personal relationship with God and the Bible is the most important book for him. Mr Johannis has a clear message about the future of the nation. ‘Jesus Christ is Lord of our nation!’
The war against diabetes rages on
Diabetes is an increasingly serious problem in Europe. Today, at least 32 million Europeans are suffering from the disease. In 2030, that number is expected to have risen to more than 38 million. The EU and tits member states have an opportunity to lower this estimate and reverse this trend. If we act now, we can save lives, improve the quality of life of those affected and save money in the long run. According to the In ternational Diabetes Federation, member states are currently facing and addressing the challenge of diabetes in different ways and at different paces. However, they all have one thing in common. The number of people suffering from the disease is growing. Some countries have been focusing on treating those suffering from the illness, while others have been concentrating on prevention.
Ukraine to send reinforcements to key cities in case of rebel attacks
Kiev will send reinforcements to key Ukrainian cities to prevent potential attacks from Russia-backed separatists, President Petro Poroshenko said on Monday. He also called on Ukraine’s parliament to rescind a law giving special status to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the east of the country, much of which is under the control of separatists. Kiev essentially has no control over rebel authorities in the east, who held their own elections over the weekend and have suggested they may attempt to capture other cities in the region, such as the port city of Mariupol. At a meeting of the country’s security council, Poroshenko said the reinforcements would be for the ‘construction of fortifications’ against a ‘possible offensive in the direction of Mariupol, Berdyansk, Kharkiv and Luhansk north’. Speaking earlier he said he would ask the council and parliament to end the ‘special status’ law for rebellious eastern regions, agreed as part of a ceasefire deal in September.