Pakistan Pastor Facing Death For “Blasphemy”
The wife and friends of frail pastor Zafar Bhatti, Pakistan’s longest jailed blasphemy suspect, fear he may soon be executed or die of poor health.
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US Embassy Opens in Kyiv Despite Clashes
The U.S. embassy has reopened in Kyiv, despite the ongoing Russian invasion outside the Ukrainian capital.
Hungary’s Orban Warns Of Decade Of War And Attacks Against Christians
Hungary’s Parliament approved the new government’s structure Tuesday after re-elected Prime Minister Viktor Orbán warned of “a decade of war” in which the European Union tries to obliterate Christianity.
Dutch Peace Activist Mient Jan Faber Dies At 81
Peace activist Mient Jan Faber, who became the voice of Dutch churches opposed to nuclear weapons, has died at age 81, peace group Pax confirmed Sunday.
Hungary “Praised” For Blocking EU Sanctions Against Patriarch
Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II of the Syriac Orthodox Church has thanked Hungary for not supporting European Union sanctions against the Russian Orthodox Church leader.
Hungary’s First Female President Condemns Russia At Inauguration
Hungary’s first female and youngest-ever president was inaugurated Saturday during church-backed ceremonies where she condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Iran raises prices of food staples, stirring panic and anger
Iran abruptly raised prices as much as 300% for a variety of staples such as cooking oil, chicken, eggs and milk on Thursday. Scores of alarmed Iranians waited in long lines to snatch up bundles of food and emptied supermarket shelves across the country in the hours before the price hike took effect.
Biden Admin Cancels Sale of Gulf of Mexico, Alaska Oil and Gas Leases as Gas Prices Soar to All-Time Highs
The Biden administration has now canceled one of the most high-profile oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Alaska, removing millions of acres from possible drilling as U.S. gas prices reach record highs.
Sri Lanka Has New Leader As Violence Spreads
Bankrupt Sri Lanka appointed a new prime minister hoping to quell worsening civil unrest in which at least nine people died this week, and more than 300 were injured.
Energean makes commercial gas discovery off Israeli coast
Greek oil and gas firm Energean announced on Monday a commercial gas discovery at its Athena exploration well in Israel’s Exclusive Economic Zone.
Son Dictator Philippines Wins Election
Nearly four decades after the ouster of their dictator, Filipinos chose his son and namesake to lead the Philippines as its next president, official results showed.
Hungary Refuses To Join Oil Embargo; EU Chief Returns Empty-Handed
The European Union’s chief executive left Budapest empty-handed Monday after failing to convince Hungary to agree on an EU oil embargo against Russia.
Hungary Opposes EU Sanctions Against Patriarch Kirill
Hungary said Sunday it would not support European Union plans to freeze the assets of Patriarch Kiril, head of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Son Dictator Marcos To Win Philippines Poll, Surveys Say
Voters in the Philippines went to the polls Monday in a presidential election that put the son and namesake of the late dictator against a human rights lawyer.
Scores Dead As Russia Hits School In War-Torn Ukraine
More than 60 people are now feared dead after a Russian bomb reportedly hit a school in eastern Ukraine on Saturday. The attack came as diplomatic efforts were underway to evacuate wounded soldiers from a steel plant in Ukraine’s devastated city of Mariupol.
Clashes break out as Temple Mount reopens to Jews
Clashes between Palestinians and Israeli police broke out on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem Thursday, as the site was reopened to Jews and other non-Muslim visitors following the end of the two-week Ramadan closure, the Times of Israel (TOI) reports.
EU Debates Oil Embargo As Ukraine War Escalates
Frustrated over the escalating Russian invasion of Ukraine, the European Union’s leadership announced a new plan to penalize Russia financially. It wants a total ban on oil imports from Russia by the end of the year, but several EU member states objected.
EU Proposes Toughest Sanctions Yet As Russia Steps Up Offensive In Eastern Ukraine
The European Union on May 4 unveiled a proposal to ban Russian oil imports by the end of the year as Russian forces intensified their assault in on a steel plant in the southeastern port city of Mariupol that Ukrainian forces continue to defend.
EU Ministers Discuss Russian Oil Embargo As Germany Signals Shift In Position
European Union ministers have met in Brussels to discuss a response to Russia cutting gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria and plans for a possible oil embargo to punish Moscow for invading Ukraine.
EU leans towards Russian oil ban by year-end, diplomats say
The European Union is leaning toward a ban on imports of Russian oil by the end of the year, two EU diplomats said, after talks between the European Commission and EU member states this weekend.