Troubled World Rings In New Year
A troubled world began ringing in its New Year anxious about the coronavirus pandemic, disasters, and wars, including possible one in the heart of Europe.
EU
‘God Calms Storm For Philippines Ferry’
An inter-island ferry carrying about 500 passengers faced a severe storm in the Philippines but arrived safely after prayers calmed strong winds, a passenger told Worthy News.
Dutch Police Target Crowds Protesting Corona Restrictions
Outnumbered Dutch police used batons as they tried to halt thousands of people rallying in Amsterdam against Europe’s strictest Coronavirus measures.
Austria Starts New Year With Suicide Law
Austria rang in the New Year with a law allowing assisted suicide to adults deemed to suffer too much to stay alive, despite opposition from church leaders.
Putin, Erdogan Pledge To Boost Russia-Turkey Ties
Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, have vowed to boost ties, both sides said.
China warns of ‘drastic measures’ if Taiwan continues on path toward independence
A Beijing official warns that China will take “drastic measures” if Taiwan moves toward independence.
‘Moment of Crisis’ in Eastern Europe: Biden and Putin to Speak Again; Second Time in Three Weeks
As a year marked by a late escalation in tensions between Moscow and the West draws to a close, Presidents Biden and Vladimir Putin will speak by phone on Thursday, amid the Kremlin’s stepped-up demands for an end to what it sees as threats posed by NATO.
Russia, U.S. officials say they’re coordinating on Iran nuclear talks in Vienna
Top U.S. and Russian officials for Iran have met in Vienna, a Russian envoy said on Wednesday, and delegates on both sides said Moscow and Washington were coordinating in a bid to salvage the 2015 Iran nuclear deal.
Iranian judiciary grants Christian prisoners 10 days’ holiday
Christian prisoners in Iran were treated to a rare act of mercy by the state as the country’s judiciary granted them 10 days’ leave to be with their families during the Christmas holidays, Radio Free Europe (RFE) reports.
Biden Signs $768 Billion Bill As US Faces Attack
U.S. President Joe Biden signed a $768 billion defense bill amid fears that Russia and China are ahead of the United States in developing new weapons systems such as hypersonic technology.
Poland President Vetoes Media Law, US Happy
Political tensions rose in Poland on Tuesday after President Andrzej Duda vetoed media ownership legislation that could have silenced a U.S.-owned TV network criticizing the government.
Iran nuclear talks resume in Vienna; EU diplomat warns of ‘difficult’ work ahead
Negotiators trying to save the landmark Iran nuclear deal resumed discussions on Monday with the EU chair warning of “difficult” work ahead.
Russia ‘not bluffing’ on NATO rollback, warns of ‘large-scale conflict in Europe’
Russia will not drop a demand that NATO “be rolled back” to its 1997 boundaries, according to a senior Russian envoy, a requirement backed by the threat of “a large-scale conflict in Europe” arising out of Ukraine.
US and Russia to hold talks on January 10, official says
The United States and Russia are set to hold dialogue on nuclear arms control and tensions over a military build up around Ukraine on January 10, a White House official said on Monday.
Hungarian Christmas Cheer In Shoeboxes
Hungarian churches and charities have begun distributing support to thousands of impoverished children, including those who lost parents amid the raging coronavirus pandemic.
Pfizer to continue distributing version of COVID-19 vaccine not fully approved by FDA
Pfizer’s vaccine against COVID-19 has been fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration, yet the pharmaceutical giant is still providing distributors across the country with an earlier version of the vaccine that predates FDA’s full approval.
Christmas Cancelled In Europe?
Christians across the European Union began celebrating Christmas after the EU’s executive sought to cancel it as a feast with Christian roots.
NASA Enlists Theologians To Help Look To Heavens
Roughly 2,000 years after wise men went after a star to find and worship Jesus born in Bethlehem, the U.S. space agency hires theologians to look to the heavens, again.
Europe, Canada Fear Russian Mercenaries In Mali
France and 14 European allies, as well as Canada, have condemned the alleged deployment of Russian mercenaries in the West African country of Mali.
Russia Doesn’t Rule Out Invasion Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin has indirectly warned the West that his troops will invade Ukraine unless it gives immediate security guarantees.