Remember how 2020 was expected to be a watershed year? The hopes that Covid-19 would force lifestyle changes? 

The army arrested state leader Aung San Suu Kyi, who won the November elections. Christian organisations describe the events as “very worrying” and “a desperate step backwards”.

The European Union new strategy includes criminalising “homophobic hate speech” and funding pro-LGBT initiatives. Countries that not comply with the new policy could lose funds.

European leaders meet to set up “rigorous measures for a rapid and coordinated response to terrorism”. Austria targets the Muslim Brotherhood while Spain starts the trial against the Barcelona attackers.

One of the attackers was shot dead. There have been some arrests in an operation still open. Evangelicals call to “pray for the emergency services, the injured and relatives of the victims”.

Last July the EU announced the appointment but the position is still vacant. “Promoting freedom of religion is essential to address global challenges”, 49 MEPs say in a letter to the EU.

In her State of the (European) Union, the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, unfolded an ambitious ‘post-COVID-19’ plan for Europe and beyond.

Italy and Spain will be the main recipients of the grants. The biggest joint borrowing ever agreed by the EU came after almost five days of tense talks.

“The forthcoming appointment shows our determination to ensure the rights of all faiths and beliefs are respected across the world”, says Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission.

The European Evangelical Alliance praises the work of Jan Figel’, who finished his mandate in 2019. “It is important that the EU leads by example and shows that FoRB is a precious human right for all people”.

The Brussels Representative of the European Evangelical Alliance, Arie de Pater, analyses the situation of the EU amid the coronavirus, and the role of Christians in this crisis.

Germany, France, Portugal, Finland and Luxembourg agreed to receive unaccompanied minors stuck in Greek refugee camps, in the midst of the Turkey-Greece border refugee crisis.

Authorities confirmed that the suspect was found dead at his house. German counter-terrorism prosecutors have taken over the investigation because “there are indications of a far-right motive”.

The country enters into a transition period of 11 months to negotiate free movement of people and other key issues. Christians are called to “model healing”, says the Evangelical Alliance.

The Christian Democrat has lead three German government ministries: Family, Health and Defense. Of a Protestant family, she was born in Belgium and has 7 children.

The European Commission President argues that NATO is not enough, and an EU army would convince Russia the bloc is serious about defending its values.