Iran: Protests on water shortages turn violent as police arrest 67
Protests in the Iranian city of Isfahan over the drying up of a river turned violent, as riot police arrested 67 people on Saturday.
EU
Taiwan scrambles air force fighters to warn off 27 Chinese jets in buffer zone
Taiwan deployed its air force Sunday in an effort to drive back dozens of Chinese aircraft that entered its air defense space.
WHO Calls New Coronavirus Strain ‘Variant of Concern’ And Names It Omicron
The United Nations health body said Friday the new coronavirus variant is “a variant of concern” and named it Omicron.
Migrants Face Uncertainty At Belarus-Polish Border
As Europe’s winter sets in, Pope Francis urged prayers for migrants fleeing war, persecution, and poverty as the European Union braced for a new influx of desperate people through Belarus and other routes. The Belarusian President, Alexander Lukashenko, offered humanitarian aid to refugees who opted to stay at the Belarusian-Polish border.
All EU States Ban Travel From Southern Africa
All 27 member states of the European Union agreed Friday to suspend travel from seven southern African nations over the outbreak of a new coronavirus.
EU Warns Of South Africa COVID Variant; Banning Flights
The European Union’s executive wants that EU countries introduce an “emergency brake” on travel from southern Africa due to a new coronavirus variant.
Children, Pregnant Woman Drown In Channel
Among 27 migrants who died after their boat sank near Calais, France, were 17 men, seven women – one of whom was pregnant – and three children, France’s Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.
WHO calls special meeting to discuss new Covid variant found in South Africa with ‘a large number of mutations’
The World Health Organization is monitoring a new variant with numerous mutations to the spike protein, scheduling a special meeting Friday to discuss what it may mean for vaccines and treatments, officials said Thursday.
Israel launches diplomatic blitz ahead of renewed Iran nuclear talks
Israel will make its position heard ahead of the return to nuclear talks with Iran by world powers on Monday, with Foreign Minister Yair Lapid scheduled to visit London and Paris next week.
Fauci says having a COVID booster to be considered fully vaccinate ‘on the table’
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s top U.S. infectious disease expert, says having a COVID-19 booster shot being the new threshold for being fully vaccinated is “on the table.”
New Government In Germany To Phase Out Coal, Legalize Drugs
Germany, Europe’s biggest economy, will have a new government of Social Democrats, Greens, and liberal parties that seek to phase-out coal by 2030 while legalizing “soft” drugs.
Dozens Of Migrants Drown On Way To Britain
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he was “shocked, appalled and deeply saddened” after at least 30 people died when their boat sank in the Channel.
Overturn Roe v. Wade? Why It Might Happen This Time
On Dec. 1, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments in the abortion case that some say is the most important since the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision.
North Macedonia Mourns Dozens Killed In Bus Crash
Flags are flying at half-mast in the young nation of North Macedonia after a bus accident in neighboring Bulgaria killed dozens of people.
National Bible Week: ‘Global Impact’ Bibles to be given away at special event in Washington DC
In honor of National Bible Week, the Museum of the Bible Christian organization will be giving away copies of its unique “Global Impact Bible” at David’s Tent on the Washington D.C National Mall this weekend, CBN reports. Focussing on the influence Scripture has had around the world, the Global Impact Bible is an English Standard Version containing within it “900 beautifully illustrated articles.”
Milloy: Biden’s Release of 50M Barrels of Oil is Less Than 3 Days of U.S. Consumption
President Joe Biden’s decision to release 50 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to lower gas prices is “less than three days of U.S. oil consumption,” and will have “no meaningful impact on gas prices,” said Steve Milloy, a former Trump EPA transition member and the founder of JunkScience.com.
2 civilians killed, 6 soldiers wounded in Israeli strike on Homs, claims Syria
Israeli forces struck a site in Homs in central Syria in the early hours of Wednesday morning, according to Syrian state TV. Two civilians were killed and a third civilian was wounded, and six soldiers were injured in the attack, according to reports in Syrian media.
Abbas meets Putin, seeks Quartet role in peace process
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday for talks on reviving the peace process with Israel, in the context of Russia’s support for the two-state solution.
Cleared Teenage Gunman Condemns Biden For Calling Him White Supremacist
The U.S. teenager who shot and killed two men but was acquitted of all charges has condemned President Joe Biden for calling him a “white supremacist.”
Lithuania Allows Taiwan To Establish ‘Embassy’ Despite China’s Outcry
Lithuania has defended its decision to allow Taiwan to open a de facto embassy in the Baltic nation despite an angry response from China.