Last week you prayed into a developing situation in north-east Syria involving the abduction of Assyrian Christians by Daesh. We are pleased to report that nineteen hostages were released on 1 March. However an estimated 200+ are still being held. The nineteen released were taken to the Church of Our Lady in Hassaka. Most are men and all are over fifty years old. There is speculation that an Islamic court ordered their release after 'tax payments' were made on their behalf. In the days following the abductions all sources increased their initial estimates of how many fled and how many were seized. Most sources now agree the number of abductees is over two hundred. The Assyrian Church of the East reported that fifty-one families escaped – but in fact they failed to escape. The number of families who have fled is expected to reach 1,200. Church leaders have appealed to the international community to redouble efforts to stop the killing and systematic displacement of Christians, and to promote a peaceful settlement in the region.

The Nigerian Islamist sect Boko Haram released a video on Monday showing militants beheading two men. It’s their first online posting using the advanced graphics and editing techniques associated with IS. Past Boko Haram films have been cruder, often featuring a man identified as the leader Abubakar Shekau discussing local gripes. The latest one preaches ‘global jihad.’ The footage will stoke concerns that Boko Haram, which evolved out of a clerical movement focused on north-east Nigeria, is expanding its scope and seeking inspiration from global militant networks including al-Qaida and IS. Nigeria’s president, Goodluck Jonathan, said ‘Boko Haram is allied to both al-Qaida and IS’, though it has not been confirmed by the militants who have killed thousands and kidnapped hundreds in a drive to carve out an Islamist state in Nigeria.

On Monday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, reminding them of Iran’s support for terrorist organisations and its stated goal to destroy the Jewish State. He asked the crowd to ‘imagine what Iran would do with nuclear weapons.’ Shortly afterwards President Barack Obama disparaged his comments. On Tuesday Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a much-anticipated speech to Congress regarding the Iranian nuclear deal. Again his comments revealed opposition to President Obama’s views. Meanwhile in Iran individuals in leadership positions are propagating poisonous agendas against the USA and Israel. An aide to Iran’s supreme leader vowed to 'raise the flag of Islam over the White House’ and said that taking over Washington would be part of a 'resistance front' in revenge for the deaths of members of the militant group Hezbollah.’ The USA is often mentioned in the same breath as Israel because of its financial and diplomatic support for the nation. See: 

An amendment to the rules of the United States' largest Presbyterian denomination to recognise gay marriage has gained considerable support in its regional bodies, with 51 of 172 presbyteries already voting in favour of redefining marriage to include same-sex couples. The denomination's remaining presbyteries have until June to cast their votes to make the final decision. Currently, the Book of Order defines marriage as being between ‘a man and a woman.’ The new language would remove the gender specific terminology, replacing it with ‘two people.’ If a majority ratifies the amendment, it would take effect on 21 June 2015.

In 252 cities across 19 countries Christians are uniting in a pro-life campaign called ’40 Days for Life’ which will run throughout Lent. The mission of the campaign is to unite the church in repentance, intercession, fasting and peaceful activism for 40 days by those concerned about abortion. They are asked to pray. For 1) the women who are at risk of having an abortion to have a change of heart. 2) For innocent children who are at risk of perishing. 3) For the men and women who carry the pain of a past abortion experience. 4) For the workers at abortion centers. So far, because of previous campaigns as, 9,699 babies have been saved from abortion, 107 workers have quit the abortion industry and 60 abortion centers have closed. 5) For results that could be achieved during 2015’s community-based campaign as peaceful activists show the consequences of abortion in their neighbourhoods. 6) For God’s purposes of life not death for unborn babies.

Myanmar has declared a state of emergency in a border region where fighting between the army and a self-styled militia called the National Myanmar Democratic Alliance Army has forced tens of thousands of civilians to flee Kokang into neighbouring China. The area is notorious for people-smuggling and drug-trafficking. Proceeds from drugs are helping to fund the fighting now raging across the border. A Red Cross convoy was hit by gunfire on Tuesday as it attempted to bring refugees to China. The paramilitary police now guard an enormous camp for Myanmar refugees in China's Yunnan province. Most refugees are ethnic Chinese. Some of the fiercest fighting has been happening in and around the town of Laukkai, just a few kilometres inside Myanmar. Myanmar remains among the ten most violent states for Christians to live. In the past clashes on the Chinese border have taken place between the army and Christian-majority ethnic groups. In 2014 many Kachin Christians were killed and churches and homes destroyed.

Last November rioters demanded justice for 43 missing college students allegedly abducted by the municipal police in Iguala city in October. In January this year Mexico's government said the missing students had been handed over to a drug cartel by police and then killed and burned to ashes. Many groups questioned this conclusion, saying the government wanted to close the case. This week Argentine forensics team said the attorney general's office made mistakes in 20 genetic profiles collected from student's family members. The government, a mayor, police officers and violent gang members have all been implicated in criminal activities linked to the missing students. No investigation has given plausible evidence to confirm what really happened, or where the missing students or their bodies are.

The South African Security Agency (SSA) spied on Iran according to an Al-Jazeera report showing South Africa monitoring Iranian agents. Apparently South African intelligence agents reported that the Iranians were interested in technology used for satellite interception, online surveillance and hacking. South African security services were concerned at Iran's efforts to use official and unofficial channels in South Africa to beat western-imposed sanctions. Al-Jazeera was in possession of the 128-page report ‘Operational Target Analysis’ which was written by South African spies and profiled dozens of alleged Iranian operatives. The report said British agents had similarly monitored Iran's activities in South Africa. The agents also profiled a number of carpet shops, publishers and other small businesses they believed had links to Iran's intelligence agencies.

The P5+1 is a group of six world powers which in 2006 initiated diplomatic efforts with Iran with regard to Iran's nuclear program. They are UN Security Council members, (United States, Russia, China, United Kingdom, and France, plus Germany). Earlier this week US Secretary of State John Kerry and his Iranian counterpart Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks in Geneva to resolve the remaining issues on Tehran's contentious nuclear programme, as a meeting of the P5+1 nations with Iran ended. The bilateral meeting between Kerry and Zarif was also attended by US Energy Secretary, Ernest Moniz and Iranian Atomic Energy Organisation director, Ali Akbar Salehi. The deadline for the six world powers and Iran to reach a political agreement.31 March  Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu said it was astonishing that even after the recent IAEA report determined that Iran is continuing to hide the military components of its nuclear program, the nuclear talks are proceeding. See 

Over 150 Syrian Christians, including women and elderly, were kidnapped by Daesh militants, (IS’s Arabic name is translated as ad-Dawlah leading to the acronym Daesh). The abductions began at 4.00am on 23 February on a 40km front along the River Khabour. There are 35 Christian villages along the river in that area. The Daesh offensive follows clashes in which Kurdish and Syrian militias claim to have 'liberated' villages from Daesh control in neighbouring Raqqa Governorate. Over 600 families managed to flee from these villages, however many Christians were abducted. There are reports that churches in two villages were set on fire and a 17-year-old Christian was murdered. Examples of Muslim neighbours showing solidarity and assisting Christians have also emerged. The Gulf Today reported on Wednesday that the total of abducted Christians is now more than 150. See