The recovered bodies and flight recorders of Malaysia Flight 17 have been turned over to the proper authorities, but the propaganda wars continue. Ukrainian government officials blame Russia for a complicit role in the shooting down of the commercial flight, while Russia blames Ukraine. This unusual war in Eastern Ukraine is also having other consequences: the evangelical community is being targeted. President of Russian Ministries Sergey Rakhuba says, ‘They believe that evangelical churches are their enemies. In one of the towns, they even raised the Orthodox flag and said they would fight any heretic, any protestant, anyone who represents any western immoral values.’ Many evangelicals have been attacked, including four men who were killed a few weeks ago. Rakhuba says a childhood friend was targeted on Monday when Russian Separatists stopped his car in Donetsk. Fortunately, Ukrainian forces trying to regain control of Donetsk began engaging the separatists and Rakhuba’s friend was able to get away.

A Christian nurse is taking legal action against the Swedish government after she was fired for refusing to perform abortions. A doctor in Poland, who was dismissed on similar grounds, is considering an appeal. Ellinor Grimmark said an employment offer at a hospital in Eksjo, southern Sweden, was suddenly scrapped though she had successfully completed an internship. The Ombudsman claimed the county council had refused her the position ‘not because of her religion, but because she was not prepared to perform duties that were part of the job description’. It comes amid reports of growing pressure on Christian medical personnel across Europe. On Friday, 9 July, news emerged that Professor Bogdan Chazan, viewed as one of Poland's top doctors, is considering an appeal after he was fired as director at Warsaw's Holy Family Hospital for his refusal to carry out an abortion.

A Dutch academic who supported legalising euthanasia in the Netherlands has urged Westminster not to introduce assisted suicide, ahead of a debate in the House of Lords. Theo Boer, who has been part of a committee monitoring euthanasia cases since 2005, said the number of such deaths in the Netherlands has soared since the legalisation of euthanasia in 2002. Boer has reviewed close to 4,000 euthanasia cases and said: ‘Euthanasia is on the way to becoming a ‘default’ mode of dying for cancer patients'. Cases have been reported in which a large part of the suffering of those given euthanasia or assisted suicide consisted in being aged, lonely or bereaved'. He said: ‘I used to be a supporter of the Dutch law. But now, with twelve years of experience, I take a very different view’. (See also GB&I section - item 1 and World section - item 6)

The US attorney general has called on European governments to be stronger in preventing their own citizens from joining the fighting in Syria.  Eric Holder said the Syrian conflict had turned into ‘a cradle of violent extremism’ that could threaten Western countries when fighters return home. He made his remarks during a speech to Norwegian diplomats in Oslo.  US officials believe there are about 7,000 foreign fighters in Syria, including dozens of Americans.  In May, a 22-year-old man from Florida carried out a suicide bombing mission in the country and a Colorado woman was arrested at an airport in April after US officials said she was intent on providing support to the militant group ISIS  in Syria.  In the speech, Mr Holder called on European governments to make it illegal to plan or support terrorist plots, to catch potential fighters before they leave for Syria through undercover plots and share information about those who have travelled to Syria to fight, including through Interpol.

The leaders of France and Germany are to press Ukraine's president to agree to a new truce in eastern Ukraine when they speak by phone on Wednesday.  President Francois Hollande of France announced the planned talks with Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko.  Ukraine says it will not talk to separatist rebels until they disarm.  A separatist official in Donetsk city, where the rebels are regrouping after losing ground, ruled out any new truce.  Government forces recaptured several large towns from the rebels in recent days after resuming their 'anti-terrorist operation' in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.  In Donetsk itself, a city of more than one million people, the rebels have vowed to keep fighting the government, which they regard as illegitimate.  More than 1,000 people, both civilians and combatants, are believed to have been killed since the uprising began in April.

More than 5,000 migrants have been picked up by the Italian navy in the past 48 hours in several rescue operations between Sicily and North Africa.  On Monday, about 30 bodies were found in one of the migrant boats, Italian news agencies reported, citing the navy and coastguard. The rescuers made the gruesome discovery when they boarded a fishing boat carrying around 590 refugees and migrants. The immigrants apparently died of asphyxiation, the news agencies said. It is not the first time Italian rescuers have found migrants dead on the overcrowded boats, but never before had they found so many bodies in one boat. Over the past weekend more than 1,600 migrants were rescued by Italian authorities, bringing the total number of migrants rescued so far this year to above 60,000. The number is expected to soar past the record 63,000 set in 2011 during the Arab Spring uprisings.

The separatist leaders of two regions in eastern Ukraine say they will now respect a Kiev ceasefire called last Friday by President Poroshenko until June 27th. They also indicated that they were willing to consider Poroshenko’s peace plan, which includes a buffer zone, decentralisation, and early elections. ‘We hope that, during the time of bilateral ceasefire, we can agree to at least start consultations on the peaceful resolution of the conflict,’ said pro-Russian rebel leader Alexander Borodai. Present for the announcement was former president Leonid Kuchma, who opposes any breakup of his country. ‘We resolved one of the most important issues, and that is to stop the military actions from both sides,’ he said. Outside, however, a crowd was protesting against Kuchma and appeared in no mood to compromise. They angrily surrounded his car and it was several minutes before he was able to leave.

On Monday Pope Francis met with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and much of their official discussion was confirming the need for the world-wide church to persevere in a united commitment to eradicate human trafficking and modern-day slavery. Pope Francis said, ‘Notable collaborative efforts have been initiated on the ecumenical level and in cooperation with civil authorities and international organizations. Many charitable initiatives have been undertaken by our communities, and they are operating with generosity and courage in various parts of the world. I think in particular of the action network against the trafficking in women set up by a number of women’s religious institutes. Let us persevere in our commitment to combat new forms of enslavement, in the hope that we can help provide relief to victims and oppose this deplorable trade. I thank God that, as disciples sent to heal a wounded world, we stand together, with perseverance and determination, in opposing this grave evil.’ See also Global Freedom Network at http://www.gfn2020.org/

The leadership of the Commission has always been a tightly fought contest. In 2014 Britain vetoed the appointment of Guy Verhofstadt, with the French opposed to Chris Patten and leaders settling on José Manuel Barroso instead. The current controversy, coming less than three years before Britain holds a referendum on EU membership. Should the Conservative Party still be in leadership, which has given the election additional importance. EU leaders are expected to make a decision on the next Commission President during a summit next week on the 26th -27th June. The European parliament will hold a confidence vote on the chosen candidate, possibly as early as 15th July. Pray for the new commission president to ensure a  fair deal for Britain.  See also:

Nine European countries endorsed plans on 5th June to step up intelligence-sharing and take down radical websites to try to stop European citizens going to fight in Syria and bringing violence back home with them.The initiative by states that deem themselves most affected by jihadist violence was given new urgency after the killing of three people at the Jewish Museum in Brussels last month by a Frenchman recently returned from fighting with Islamist rebels in Syria's civil war. EU officials will hold meetings with ‘the leading Internet operators’ this month to look into the possibilities for immediately shutting down web sites and barring messages that spread hatred or encourage violent militancy or terrorism. Also Britain proposed creating a European task force using media campaigns to counter the radicals' message. Experts will work on details of the new measures before they are decided on by ministers at a meeting in Milan in July.