Today’s Headlines:

TENSIONS HIGH AS THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES RETURN TO SUDAN

NEXT FEW MONTHS ‘CRITICAL’ AS BELIEVERS TACKLE FAMINE IN NIGER

AMENDED LAW WOULD REQUIRE STATE IN INDIA TO ‘APPROVE’ CONVERSIONS

PASTORS TO APPEAL ‘VILIFICATION’ CASE TO AUSTRALIA’S SUPREME COURT

NEW EGYPTIAN BIBLE HOTLINE INCREASES ACCESS TO CHRISTIAN RESOURCES

Today’s Top Stories:

TENSIONS HIGH AS THOUSANDS OF REFUGEES RETURN TO SUDAN

Since Sudan’s peace accord went into effect last January, ending two decades of civil war, hundreds of thousands of refugees from neighboring countries have begun returning to non-Muslim southern Sudan. That peace agreement and the hope of a better future for southern Sudan is in jeopardy since Sudanese Vice President John Garang, a professing Christian, was killed in a helicopter crash on July 31. In the midst of this tenuous rebuilding process, the Bridge International is working through two indigenous ministries to help with spiritual training and community development. Operation Nehemiah and Safe Harbor International are in the process of moving their African bases to southern Sudan from Uganda and Kenya. With evangelism, discipleship and church planting at the heart, the Bridge is serving the Sudanese people through efforts to re-establish sustainable living. These efforts include outreaches such as a boat project, agricultural development, a medical clinic, building materials, radio broadcasting, educational program development, spiritual training and leadership development. In the next few years the Bridge hopes to see a transformation of Sudan and its people for Christ. (Mission Network News)

NEXT FEW MONTHS ‘CRITICAL’ AS BELIEVERS TACKLE FAMINE IN NIGER

The famine in the West African country of Niger is growing worse with nearly 4 million in critical need of food aid. Of those, almost 1 million are children. But aid groups say nothing will turn the crisis if there aren’t long-term solutions. World Vision’s Christine Hahn says the months ahead are critical. “We have agriculture programs. We have programs in micro-enterprise development where we give the people small business loans-help them to start their own businesses. We have about 23,000 sponsored children. It gives those children an opportunity to go to school and get educated, opening up many opportunities for them.” Hahn says in the Muslim context, the staff’s actions are a witness for Christ. “I’ve had Muslims come up to me many times and say, ‘We know that you’re going to help us. We know that World Vision is going to follow through because you’re Christian. Christians always follow through, and they’re honest and they’re accountable.’ That opens the door for people to share their faith.” (Mission Network News)

AMENDED LAW WOULD REQUIRE STATE IN INDIA TO ‘APPROVE’ CONVERSIONS

Attempts to strengthen the anti-conversion law in east-central India’s Chattisgarh state have been held up due to “technical problems,” says a local government official. Under the proposed amendments, any person wishing to convert-and any religious leader involved in the conversion-must contact district officials 30 days in advance. Officials must “approve” the conversion before it takes place. The proposed amendments would increase fines and prison terms for forceful or fraudulent conversion. Kaviraj Lal, a local member of the Christian Legal Association of India, said the opposition Congress Party has blocked passage of the changes. (Compass)

PASTORS TO APPEAL ‘VILIFICATION’ CASE TO AUSTRALIA’S SUPREME COURT

Two Christian pastors who were found to have “vilified Muslims” under the religious hatred law in Victoria, Australia, have the go-ahead to appeal their case to the Supreme Court. Justices Peter Buchanan and Geoffrey Nettle said in the Court of Appeal Thursday, Aug. 18, that doubtful or contested interpretations of the state’s Racial and Religious Tolerance Act should be resolved. They said the act might limit freedom of speech implied in Australia’s constitution. “There are matters of importance to the administration of justice in this state,” Buchanan said. The court granted a stay on an order by Judge Michael Higgins that pastors Danny Nalliah and Daniel Scot and Catch the Fire Ministries make public apologies through advertisements in The Age and Herald Sun at a cost of up to $68,000. The judge also ordered the pastors not repeat the allegedly offending material in Victoria or in Australia. Outside the court, Nalliah said it was a day to smile, adding that he was amazed that the he and Scot were sued when they constantly told everyone who heard them to love Muslims. (WorldWide Religious News/The Age)

NEW EGYPTIAN BIBLE HOTLINE INCREASES ACCESS TO CHRISTIAN RESOURCES

The Bible Society of Egypt has set up a new quick-dial telephone service with a special number that will connect callers anywhere in Egypt directly to their nearest Bible Society bookstore. “This new initiative follows the recent success at this year’s Cairo International Bookfair, resulting in a 26-percent increase in sales of Bibles and Christian resources,” said a spokesperson for the Bible Society. “This escalation in interest in Christian materials has encouraged the local Bible Society to try other creative ways of marketing its message . . . In Egypt, dialing [a certain number] connects the caller to the nearest Pizza Hut. Thanks to some generous donors, the Bible Society has echoed this quick-dial service . .. . with an easy-to-remember telephone number that is being publicized across the country to make Christian resources even more accessible.” (Assist News Service)