Mu COVID Variant, Which Scientists Fear is Resistant to Vaccines, Detected in 39 Countries
A new coronavirus strain has been declared a variant of interest by the World Health Organization (WHO) with mutations that may be resistant to vaccines.
EU
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.
EU removes Israel from safe travel list, backs travel restrictions
The European Union recommended Monday that its 27 nations reimpose restrictions on tourists from seven countries, including Israel, because of rising coronavirus infections there.
Journalists now stranded in Afghanistan
U.S.-friendly journalists are still in Afghanistan, left behind following the recent exodus of U.S. troops, support teams, and other personnel. The journalists left behind have worked under the umbrella of the U.S. Agency for Global Media — USAGM — an independent federal agency that oversees such global media entities as the Voice of America and Radio Free Europe.
Iran says nuclear talks won’t resume for 2-3 months
Stalled talks aimed at reviving Iran’s nuclear agreement with world powers will likely not resume for another two to three months, Tehran’s foreign ministry said Wednesday.
Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan to Hold Naval Drills
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday that it would hold naval drills in the Caspian Sea. The drill is scheduled for early September and would include small missile and artillery ships from Iran, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan, Reuters reported.
Transcript: U.S. President Biden Knew Of Imminent Fall Of Afghanistan
U.S. President Joe Biden heard in July from his Afghan counterpart that Afghanistan would quickly fall to the Taliban without adequate American air support, but Biden was reluctant to provide it, according to a transcript analyzed by Worthy News.
EU reaches summer goal of 70% of adults getting COVID-19 vaccine
The European Union said it reached its goal of getting 70% of adults fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the end of summer.
Israeli and U.S. Warships Conduct Milestone Maritime Patrol
Ships from the Israeli Navy and U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) conducted a combined maritime security patrol in the Red Sea, Aug. 30-31.
Biblical Euphrates River Drying Threatening Humanitarian Disaster In Syria
Aid groups have warned of a looming humanitarian disaster in northeast Syria as one of the Bible’s most famous rivers is drying up fast. The Euphrates, which is believed to have flown through the Biblical ‘Garden of Eden,’ now barely runs for almost 2,800 kilometers (1,700 miles) across Turkey, Syria, and Iraq.
WHO Seeks Global Digital Vaccination System
The World Health Organization (WHO) says its member states should roll out a universal digital information system to check if people are vaccinated against COVID-19.
US to be removed from EU travel ‘safe list’
The European Union is reportedly planning to recommend that its member nations reinstate restrictions on travelers from the U.S. due to the rising level of COVID-19 infections.
Poland: Police regional council to maintain “LGBT-free zone” despite risking loss of EU funding
A regional council in predominantly Catholic Poland has voted to remain an “LGBT-free zone,” risking a loss of funding from the European Union, Reuters reports. The southern Malopolska region has received a letter from the EU warning it could lose more than €2.5 billion in funds unless it revokes its 2019 “LGBT-free zone” declaration by mid-September.
Nigeria persecution Fulani jihadists murder 37 Christians in one night; “please continue to pray for our Nigerian brothers and sisters”
Fulani jihadist terrorists murdered 37 Christians on Tuesday night during a raid on a village in Nigeria’s Plateau state, Reuters reports. With little opposition from the government, Fulani jihadists have murdered thousands of Christians in Nigeria, triggering international rights groups to warn of a genocide.
‘Almost a religious experience’: House Democrats pass voting bill; likely DOA in Senate
House Democrats in a party-line vote Tuesday approved restoring the Justice Department’s lapsed authority under the Voting Rights Act to block new state election laws deemed too restrictive.
Britain Fails To Convince US To Stay In Afghanistan Beyond August 31
In a significant concession to Afghanistan’s new Islamist Taliban rulers, the U.S. said Tuesday it would not extend the deadline for evacuations beyond August 31.
WHO Chief Wants Delay Of COVID Booster Jabs
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) demanded Monday a two-month moratorium on COVID-19 “booster shots” to reduce vaccine inequality. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned wealthy nations for stockpiling vaccines as poorer countries struggle to administer coronavirus jabs to their people.
President Biden Under Pressure As Taliban Hunts Girls, Journalists And U.S. Allies
Taliban fighters ruling Afghanistan have begun hunting for Afghan girls to marry while seeking to kill journalists, Christians, Hazara men, and people who worked for the U.S.-led military, several sources say.
Russia Warns West Not To Intervene In Afghanistan
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned the West not to interfere in Afghanistan after the fall of Kabul, amid signs that China and Russia are increasing their footprint there. The authoritarian leader said Western nations “must stop the irresponsible policy of imposing foreign values from abroad.”
Lebanon: Fuel price skyrockets 66% after subsidy cut
Lebanon’s government has decided to increase the price of fuel by a whopping 66%, as it attempts to partially reduce fuel subsidies.