Russian-led Alliance In Kazakhstan As Police Kill Dozens
A Russian-led military alliance dispatches peacekeepers to Kazakhstan after the country’s president asked for help in controlling anti-government protests, which killed dozens.
Europe
Kazakhstan President Fires Security Chief As Deadly Protests Spread
Kazakhstan’s president declared a state of emergency and asked for regional military support as protests sparked by rising fuel prices turned deadly in the oil-producing Central Asian nation.
French President: ‘Ban Unvaccinated From Social Life’
President Emmanuel Macron has warned those unvaccinated against COVID-19 that they will be banned from social life in the European Union country.
COVID Pass Injected As Microchip Raises Concerns (Worthy News In-Depth)
A Swedish firm producing injectable microchips for humans entered the New Year wishing that its product would be used globally as a COVID-19 health pass, despite worries among Christians.
Trump Endorses Hungary’s Prime Minister
In a controversial move, ex-U.S President Donald J. Trump has endorsed Hungary’s hardline prime minister, Viktor Orbán, who seeks a fourth consecutive term in office.
Biden: ‘Decisive Response If Russia Invades Ukraine’
U.S. President Joe Biden promised Ukraine that the United States and its allies would, in his words, “respond decisively” if Russia moved to invade its pro-Western neighbor. Biden made the pledge in a New Year’s phone call with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky.
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.
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.
‘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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Iran, world powers to launch fresh round of talks to salvage nuclear pact
Negotiators from Iran and five world powers that are trying to revive a tattered 2015 nuclear deal will resume talks in Vienna next week, the European Union said Thursday, confirming that a new round will be officially launched on Monday.