Globe Trot 10.31

Some organizations will commemorate the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church this Sunday, Nov. 4, while others, like Open Doors, will do so on Nov. 11. The Barnabas Fund and other overseas organizations are using All Saints’ Day, Nov. 1, as a time to focus on Christians in persecuted countries. It also has a helpful daily prayer site, because really we should pray every day for suffering brothers and sisters, right? As expert observer Elizabeth Kendal points out, “There is no such thing as a persecution-free day.”

Persecution hotspots are helpfully summarized in the latest issue of WORLD by news editor Jamie Dean.

Here’s what’s wrong with the UN Human Rights Council.

Syria’s government is waging “a war of extermination” against its own people, the prime minister of Qatar said Tuesday. Keep in mind that Qatar, along with Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states would like to see regime change in Syria as a way to end Iran’s influence in Syria. Qatar has been linked to arms and funds for the Free Syrian Army’s militant affiliates.

Why Iran wants to attack the United States.

In Haiti, fears of food shortages are growing following Hurricane Sandy. At least 59 deaths in the United States are being attributed so far to the superstorm, and approximately 100 deaths—most from Haiti—in the Caribbean.