The Australian missionary who was arrested in North Korea for distributing Christian literature has been freed after writing a confession and an apology. When the 75 year old was asked by Western media how he felt after his release, he replied, “Really, really tired.”
An Egyptian shopkeeper working in Libya was shot several times because he is a Christian by a bearded man who broke into his shop. He was seriously injured and is in hospital.
There have been several occasions in recent months, mostly in the USA, when universities have opposed students who wanted to mount a pro-life display on campus. However, this week saw a university pay damages to a pro-life group for such acts. Oklahoma State University paid $25,000 to Cowboys For Life for imposing restrictions on their free speech rights that were not imposed on other groups. They were banned from using a highly trafficked area of grass because “of the declining condition of the lawns”, though other groups set up stands there; they were required to set up banners 30 feet from their stand warning those approaching of graphic images, but the LGBT Sexual Orientation stand had no such requirements; and they were banned from distributing leaflets.
The Anglican Church in Uganda has warned that, if it faces pressure from western bodies to oppose the government’s new anti-gay laws, it may leave the Anglican communion. The Church did support some moderating amendments that were made to the law, but Archbishop Ntagali said, “The issue here is respect for our views on homosexuality, same-sex marriage as a country and church,” though he also added, “the church’s doors are open for those facing sexual disorientation to be counselled, healed and prayed for.” 36% of Uganda’s population describe themselves as Anglican.
It is not only (some) American states that have changed their constitutions to define marriage as between a man and a woman; some EU countries have done so too. Italy has already done it; Croatia wants to do it; and Slovakia is about to do it. The Slovak Prime Minister said, “This change only seals in the constitution what is already defined by law.” The Italian definition is being challenged in the European Court of Human Rights on the grounds that gay marriage is a human right; however, past ECHR judgments suggest this particular argument is unlikely to succeed.
In technology news, a 13 year old boy in Preston has become the youngest person ever to build a working nuclear fusion reactor. He did it as part of his school’s science project; the school provided ₤2,000 worth of equipment. The head teacher said, “He reassured me that he wouldn’t blow the school up. We are about the individual and about helping youngsters achieve, not about league tables.”
Also in technology, Ellen DeGeneres obtained a “selfie” at the Oscars with a collection of Hollywood stars, which has become the most re-tweeted photograph ever. However, lawyers in the U.S. have been discussing whether she actually owns the copyright to the picture. Possible copyright holders include DeGeneres as the “author” of the shot; Bradley Cooper, who actually took the picture; DeGeneres, as the lessee of the device that took the picture; Samsung, who own the device; and any of the other people in the shot. The consensus is that the copyright is probably shared between DeGeneres (as author) and Cooper.
And finally, a 23 year old British man who was paralysed in 3 limbs after a car accident raised over ₤22,000 to fund innovative stem cell treatment that might help him walk again … but gave it all away to a boy with cerebral palsy. The boy’s family needed to raise ₤60,000 for treatment to help him walk, and had only ₤11,000. “it was an easy decision,” said Daniel Black, “I walked for 22 years; this little boy hasn’t walked for 22 seconds.” When the story spread, the little boy’s family quickly raised the rest of the money, and Daniel was given one of the annual Pride of Britain awards.
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