WHO: ‘Don’t Celebrate Christmas As Omicron Strikes’
The World Health Organization (WHO) has effectively urged Christians planning to celebrate Christmas and other religious groups to cancel their holiday plans citing rising Omicron infections.
Spain
Thousands Hiding For La Palma’s Volcano Gas
Tens of thousands of people on Spain’s troubled island of La Palma faced uncertainty Tuesday after authorities watched toxic gases from an ongoing volcano eruption.
Report shows 70% increase in hate crimes against Christians in Europe
A new study shows that hate crimes against Protestants and Catholics increased by 70% in Europe last year, the Christian Post (CP) reports. The Observatory on Intolerance Against Christians in Europe (OIDAC) presented its report amid concerns about an ongoing decline in religious, parental, and conscience freedoms for European Christians.
Lava from volcanic eruption threatens more homes on La Palma
A fresh river of lava from the volcano on Spain’s La Palma island threatened Wednesday to engulf a parish church that has so far survived the eruption that shows no signs of relenting after 10 weeks.
Dutch Detain COVID Quarantine Escapees Amid Airport Chaos
Dutch police say they have detained a couple who escaped from a COVID quarantine hotel amid criticism about how the Netherlands treats suspected coronavirus infected people.
13 European states call on Israel to halt plan for 3,000 West Bank settler homes
A group of 12 European countries urges Israel to scrap plans for the construction of more than 3,000 homes in West Bank settlements.
Prayers For La Palma As Volcano Erupts
The situation remains volatile for many living near the volcano on the Spanish island of La Palma, prompting prayers from the pope and, doubtless others. Dramatic footage emerged of a church wiped away in seconds Sunday by a relentless lava stream.
Lucifer Heatwave Hitting Europe As Wildfires Rage
Much of Europe endured record temperatures as soaring heat, dubbed the Lucifer anti-cyclone, moved in amid ongoing wildfires in several countries.
EU Targets Christian Doctors Saying Abortion Is ‘Human Right’
Pro-Life doctors and Christian groups are under pressure after the European Parliament passed a resolution saying that abortion is a “human right” and condemned opponents.
Yet again Israel delays reopening to individual vaccinated tourists; No new date set
Permission for Individual tourists to enter Israel has been delayed yet again with no new date set and, now, even Israelis may be barred from flying out of their own country as the government weighs limiting all non-essential travel in order to keep out the much-vaunted Delta variant of the coronavirus.
More than 140 Cubans detained or disappeared in widening crackdown by regime
More than 140 Cubans have been detained or disappeared in a widening crackdown by Cuba’s security forces, according to international rights advocates monitoring the aftermath of the anti-regime protests that swept the island nation on Sunday.
Leaders Call For New World Order After Pandemic
More than 20 world leaders want all nations to unite under a new global settlement saying it is the only way to prevent future pandemics and stamp out nationalism. They made the appeal Tuesday in an open letter published in Britain’s the Daily Telegraph and publications such as Le Monde in France and El Pais in Spain.
EU, Britain Battle Over Vaccine Supplies
European Union leaders agreed to toughen export controls of coronavirus vaccines amid a row with Britain over deliveries. At an online summit attended by U.S. President Joe Biden, they also stressed the importance of a reliable global supply chain of COVID-19 jabs.
EU plans ‘green certificate’ to allow vaccinated travelers free access to European bloc
The European Union has confirmed its plans to issue ‘digital green certificates’ to vaccinated members of its 450 million population, allowing them to travel freely across the bloc this summer, the UK’s Daily Mail reports. The new ‘passport’ would be issued to those who have been recently tested or who have recovered from the virus as well.
’End Near’ For Frail Evangelist Luis Palau, Family Says
“The end seems near” for international evangelist Luis Palau after a decision to stop all treatment for his incurable lung cancer and start hospice care, his family said Friday.
EU mulls vaccination passports to resurrect tourism after COVID-19
European Union leaders will agree on Thursday to work on certificates of vaccination for EU citizens who have had an anti-COVID shot, with southern EU countries that depend heavily on tourism desperate to rescue this summer’s holiday season.
Spain To Share Vaccination Refusal Registry With EU
Spain’s government has warned citizens that it will set up a registry of people who refuse to be vaccinated against the new coronavirus and share it with other European Union member states.
Hungary Rushes As EU Nations Receive COVID Vaccines
Hungary rushed to be the first European Union state to vaccinate people against the coronavirus, amid a rising death toll. Besides Hungary, batches of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 jab arrived across the EU as authorities prepared to administer the first shots to the most vulnerable people.
America Blames Russia For Massive Cyberattack
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has blamed Russia for one of the largest cyberattacks on American government agencies and private companies in recent memory. Russia has denied involvement in the scandal.
Europe Nations In Controversial Lockdowns
Governments in several European countries have tightened coronavirus restrictions ahead of Christmas despite mounting protests and upcoming vaccines.