Migrants Freezing To Death At Polish-Belarus Border
At least five people have reportedly died along the Polish-Belarus border, where migrants fleeing war, persecution, and poverty say they are pushed back from the European Union.
UK
Ukrainian President’s Top Adviser Survives Assassination Attempt; Driver Injured
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Wednesday that his top aid was shot at while being driven in a car outside Kyiv, in what authorities called “an assassination attempt.”
Biden to UN: America will comply with Iran deal if Tehran complies
US President Joe Biden used his first address to the UN General Assembly to affirm that America is prepared to resume full compliance with the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) Iran deal, provided Iran does the same, the Jerusalem Post reports. At the same time, the president said in his speech Tuesday, the US “remains committed to preventing Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.”
France Recalls Ambassador From US, White House Upset
The United States said Friday it regrets France’s decision to recall its ambassador from Washington after a row over submarines caused their worst diplomatic tensions in years.
China Threatens US With Warships To Protest Pact
China has condemned a new nuclear submarine pact between Britain, the United States, and Australia shows “a Cold War mentality” and warned it could send warships to Hawaii.
France is furious at Australia’s submarine deal with US and UK
France has reacted angrily to Australia’s announcement Wednesday that it will be working with the US and the UK to acquire nuclear-powered submarines for use by the Australian navy, the Washington Times reports.
US and UK to help Australia obtain nuclear submarines in landmark partnership
The UK, the US, and Australia on Wednesday announced a landmark “partnership” agreement, under which the two nuclear nations will help non-nuclear Australia to obtain a multibillion-dollar fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, Sky News Australia reports. The collaboration on the project is the most significant to have taken place between the three countries in decades.
US, Britain, and Australia Ink Defense Pact To Counter China
The United States, Britain, and Australia announced a special security pact Wednesday, just hours after the European Union’s chief hinted at setting up an EU army operating outside the U.S.-led NATO military alliance.
US, Japan, South Korea Hold Talks in Tokyo on North Korea Nukes
Special envoys from the United States and South Korea met with their Japanese counterpart Tuesday in Tokyo for talks on North Korea’s nuclear weapons program, following tests conducted by the rogue state Saturday and Sunday.
Putin Meets with Assad for First Time Since 2018, Rebukes US and Turkey
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday hosted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Moscow, for their first meeting since 2018, Reuters reports. Putin used the occasion to rebuke the US and Turkey for having troops in Syria without a UN mandate.
UK prosecution service drops charges against street preacher
The UK’s prosecution service has dropped charges brought against a street preacher who refused to stop his outdoor ministry during England’s first COVID-19 lockdown last year, Christian Concern (CC) reports. Christian street lay minister Mike Overd was due to appear in court this month after police issued him with a fine for preaching and offering prayer and Bibles in Somerset, southern England on April 2, 2020.
Russia says construction of controversial Nord Stream 2 pipeline to Germany is complete (Video)
Russia’s state-controlled gas giant said Friday it has completed the construction of the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany, a contentious project that Ukraine and the United States have strongly opposed.
Scores Of Americans, Foreigners Leave Afghanistan
Some 200 people, including about 30 Americans, left war-ravaged Afghanistan Thursday on one of the first international commercial flights since last month. The Qatar Airways flight to Doha with onboard men, women, and children marked the reopening of the Kabul airport after it was damaged after the Taliban captured the capital.
National insurance rise sets UK on path to record tax level
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s plan to hike payroll taxes to raise billions in funding for health and social care will raise Britain’s tax burden to its highest ever level, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.
Dozens Injured As Montenegro’s Serbian Church Installs New Leader
The U.S. government has expressed concern after dozens of people were injured in clashes as the Serbian Orthodox Church in Montenegro installed its new leader.
Nipah Virus with 75% Mortality Rate Triggers WHO Alert in India
The World Health Organization (WHO) lists Nipah as a virus with pandemic potential. It attacks the brain, can spread from human-to-human and has a fatality rate as high as 75 percent.
Belarus Dissidents Sentenced To Lengthy Jail Terms
In a significant warning to dissidents, a court in Belarus on Monday sentenced two leading opposition activists to lengthy prison terms.
Jerusalem: Archaeologists find “cheat weight” from First Temple era
Archaeologists excavating in Jerusalem’s Old City have unearthed a weight that was likely used to cheat traders some 2,700 years ago in the First Temple period, the Jerusalem Post (JP) reports.
Nigeria Christians Mourn Scores Killed As Kidnappings Continue
Christians in central and northern Nigeria say they are mourning scores of fellow-believers killed in recent weeks by Islamic militants. They also remain concerned about ongoing kidnappings of Christian students, including in the nation’s troubled northeast, Worthy News learned.
Russian-Backed Separatists Ban Christian Books In Eastern Ukraine
There was mounting concern Friday about the plight of devoted Christians in eastern Ukraine after pro-Russian separatists reportedly banned more Christian books.