France’s highest court orders review of COVID-19 worship restrictions
France will have to review the restrictions it created for worship attendance to combat the spread of the coronavirus, according to the Western European nation’s highest court.
EU
UK, EU resume face-to-face trade talks with time running out
Teams from Britain and the European Union resumed face-to-face talks on a post-Brexit trade deal Saturday, with both sides sounding gloomy about striking an agreement in the little time that remains.
U.S. Supreme Court weighs Trump bid to bar illegal immigrants from census totals
The Supreme Court on Monday is set to take up President Donald Trump’s unprecedented and contentious effort to exclude illegal immigrants from the population totals used to allocate U.S. House of Representatives districts to states.
Four Christians Butchered As Terror Rocks Indonesia’s Central Sulawesi
At least four Christians were killed in a suspected Islamic terror attack on the Salvation Army church and service building in Indonesia’s Central Sulawesi province, local Christians told Worthy News early Saturday.
Hungary, Poland Vow To Uphold Veto Over EU Budget
Hungary and Poland’s prime ministers have vowed to uphold their veto of the European Union’s next budget — and its massive coronavirus pandemic relief fund. In Budapest, both leaders said they oppose a mechanism that ties payment of funds to the rule of law principles.
Ethiopia launches ‘final phase’ of Tigray offensive
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said on Thursday that the country’s military is in the “final phase” of its operation against fighters in the Tigray region’s capital, Mekele.
Hungary Turns Red For Persecuted Christians
Hungary’s government says landmarks in Budapest lit up in red to remember persecuted Christians who it claims to form the world’s most suffering faith community. “The initiative “Red Wednesday” was about commemorating persecuted Christians around the world,” said Tristan Azbej, Hungary’s state secretary for assisting persecuted Christians.
Brexit: Next days ‘decisive’ for hopes of deal, says EU’s Ursula von der Leyen
The coming days in the Brexit negotiations will be “decisive” as to whether Britain and the EU are able to agree on a free trade deal, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday.
U.S. President Trump Pardons Ex-Advisor Flynn
U.S. President Donald J. Trump has pardoned Michael Flynn, his first national security advisor, who pleaded guilty to lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about his contacts with Russian officials.
France Violently Dismantles Migrant Camp
Amid a mounting public outcry, France’s interior minister on Tuesday ordered an internal police investigation into police violence against migrants fleeing war, persecution, and poverty. He made the announcement after security forces were filmed tossing migrants out of tents while evacuating a Paris protest camp.
Germany Wants Controversial Coronavirus Vaccines To Reach Poor Nations
After Pope Francis urged “solidarity”, German Chancellor Angela Merkel demands the distribution of controversial coronavirus vaccines among poorer nations. Her appeal comes as countries rush to start with coronavirus vaccinations before Christmas, despite fresh concerns they impact people’s behavior and DNA.
Britain signs interim trade deal with Canada amid continued negotiations with EU
While still trying to reach a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union, the United Kingdom has been able to agree to an interim trade deal with Canada, Fox News reports. The agreement offers a source of business security for Britain, which must reach an agreement with the EU by the end of the post-Brexit transition period on 31 December or move instead into World Trade Organization terms with the European trading bloc.
US exits Open Skies Treaty citing Russian violations
The United States exited the Treaty on Open Skies on Sunday, six months after the Trump administration signaled it would. The administration cited repeated Russian Federation violations of the treaty designed to allow unarmed aerial surveillance flights by the treaty participants in Europe, Russia, and the U.S.
Netanyahu: Israel to ink deal with AstraZeneca for millions of vaccines
Israel is in the final stages of talks with British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca to purchase “millions” of doses of its vaccine, which is currently under trial, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday.
School stops giving Christmas gifts to children in need after complaint from atheist group
A middle school in Kansas has stopped participating in Operation Christmas Child (OCC), a Christian project which involves packing shoeboxes with toys and supplies for children in need, following a complaint from an atheist group that such participation is unconstitutional, Christian Headlines reports.
Hungary Praising Trump For Supporting Persecuted Christians
Hungary, where believers suffered under communism, has praised “the Trump administration” for raising the issue of persecuted Christians amid concerns about terror attacks.
EU leaders clash over Hungary and Poland budget veto
European Union leaders argued at a summit Thursday over Poland and Hungary’s attempts to block the passage of the EU budget and coronavirus rescue package.
Somaliland Frees Christian Couple Detained For Evangelism
A married Christian couple detained for evangelizing in Muslim-majority Somaliland have neem released, well-informed sources told Worthy News.
Trump to cut troop levels in Afghanistan but stops short of full withdrawal
President Donald Trump will sharply reduce the number of U.S. forces in Afghanistan from 4,500 to 2,500 by mid-January, the Pentagon announced on Tuesday, stopping short of a threatened full withdrawal from America’s longest war after fierce opposition from allies at home and abroad.
Iran warns of ‘crushing response’ after Trump said to mull strikes on nuke sites
Iran warned on Tuesday of a “crushing response” in the wake of reports US President Donald Trump convened top advisers last week to ask if he had options to strike Iranian nuclear sites during his final weeks in office.