Today’s Headlines:

GROWING POLITICAL INSTABILITY IN UKRAINE CONCERNS CHRISTIANS

COALITION URGES GOVERNMENTS TO TAKE ACTION IN SUDAN’S DARFUR REGION

U.S. GOVERNMENT HELPS MINISTRY CRACK DOWN ON SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

Today’s Top Stories:

GROWING POLITICAL INSTABILITY IN UKRAINE CONCERNS CHRISTIANS

The Ukrainian parliament has voted to dismiss Prime Minister Yuri Yekhanurov’s government because of its agreement to pay sharply higher prices for gas imports from Russia. Viktor Yushchenko has demanded that parliament rescind its vote, blaming it on opposition lawmakers he said are trying to create instability in Ukraine. Barry Gardner of Russian Ministries is concerned about the political instability because Yushchenko was a friend of religious freedom. The instability could cause Yushchenko his job. However, Gardner says, “Ukrainian Christians are really on the move there. So there’s a lot more religious activity in that country. And that means it’s unlikely that even a new person coming in who would not be as friendly to missions would be able to cause a really harsh repression that we might fear in Russia.” The issue has been sent on to Ukraine’s Supreme Court and the political future of Yekhanurov and his cabinet is uncertain. (Mission Network News)

COALITION URGES GOVERNMENTS TO TAKE ACTION IN SUDAN’S DARFUR REGION

The Save Darfur Coalition, in cooperation with more than 150 faith-based advocacy and humanitarian aid organizations, launched the “Million Voices for Darfur” campaign Thursday, Jan. 12, reported The Christian Post.

“The goal of the . . . campaign is to deliver 1 million handwritten and electronic postcards from Americans to President George W. Bush and Congress demanding that they undertake a stronger and more effective U.S. response to the violence and atrocities plaguing the region,” said Rev. Richard Cizik, vice president of governmental affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals.

He called it a “moral imperative” for the U.S. government to take stronger action in Darfur, a war-torn region of western Sudan. An estimated 2 million refugees have fled Darfur to escape violence, starvation and death since February 2003 when rebels rose up against the Sudanese government, claiming they were being ignored by Khartoum. Tens of thousands have died in the conflict.

Ant ³nio Guterres, the U.N. high commissioner for refugees, says the situation in Darfur is deteriorating, and the world must step up efforts to help end the conflict and bring peace. The postcards, which are being collected at community events, student rallies, churches and the Internet, will be delivered to the White House and Capitol Hill to promote the necessary actions to end the crisis. (Religion Today/The Christian Post/BBC)

U.S. GOVERNMENT HELPS MINISTRY CRACK DOWN ON SEXUAL EXPLOITATION

New funding from the U.S. government will boost World Vision’s efforts to crack down on tourists sexually exploiting children in developing countries. The latest grant is for nearly $100,000. Joe Mettimano, director of World Vision’s child sex tourism prevention project, said the new money reflects growing cooperation between World Vision and the U.S. government to crack down on pedophiles operating in the developing world, and at the same time help rehabilitate their victims. Mettimano said World Vision’s program, has a two-pronged approach to tackling the problem of child sex tourism, nicknamed “bark” and “bite.” The “bark” element seeks to deter American men from abusing in the first place. This involves a strategic advertising campaign. The “bite” element refers to partnerships established between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, law enforcement agencies in developing countries and World Vision. World Vision’s program has been implemented in Cambodia, Thailand, Costa Rica, Mexico, Brazil and the U.S. (World Vision)

Israel is reconsidering its decision to break off contacts with televangelist Pat Robertson over construction of a Christian heritage park now that he’s apologized for saying Ariel Sharon’s stroke was God’s punishment for withdrawing from the Gaza strip. In a letter of apology to the prime minister’s family, Robertson said his remarks had been “inappropriate and insensitive” and asked for forgiveness. Israel has accepted that apology. Robertson was to lead Christians in building a multi-million dollar Christian heritage center near the Sea of Galilee, close to sites where Jesus lived and taught. A spokesman for Israel’s tourism minister said, “In light of the apology and his expression of sorrow over Sharon’s health, we will reconsider our decision.” Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. adds that Robertson is a true friend and supporter of Israel. (AgapePress/Associated Press)