Finland: free speech
12 Mar 2020
Finnish MP Päivi Räsänen was chair of the Christian Democrats from 2004 to 2015; as interior minister she had responsibility for church affairs. On 2 March she faced a police investigation because of a tweet she…
Italy: faith conversations 'like never before'
12 Mar 2020
In response to coronavirus, 60 million Italians have been told to stay at home until 3 April, except for work and emergencies. As Italy deals with a total lockdown, gospel opportunities are flourishing. The vice-chairman of…
Russia: Christians and new laws
05 Mar 2020
Security agencies are using ‘Yarovaya Law’ to impose harsh restrictions on evangelical Christians to tackle ‘extremist’ activities. The law demands permits to enable meeting outside registered religious buildings - outlawing house churches and prayer meetings. The…
EU facing new migrant crisis
05 Mar 2020
A migrant crisis on the Turkey/Greece border is entwined with Idlib, the last stronghold of Syrian rebels backed by Turkey. Russia supports Syria and intends eradicating rebels from Idlib. When 34 Turkish soldiers died in Russian…
Denmark: Corruption & money laundering
28 Feb 2020
A court in Copenhagen has sent a social worker to prison for 6 years 5 months after she was found guilty of embezzling welfare money for decades, approximately $17 million. Britta Nielsen was extradited from South…
Montenegro: Nationalistic tension
28 Feb 2020
Montenegro has introduced a new law on religion which is causing great tension. A faith community must be able to prove that it owned its property before 1918 but many - especially the Serbian Orthodox Church…