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.
Europe
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.
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.”
Western Allies Struggle To Respond To Afghanistan’s “Nightmare” Collapse
Western allies of the United States struggle to respond to the Islamist Taliban group’s return to power in Afghanistan amid reports of killings and thousands fleeing the country. They also expressed concerns about the situation at a just-concluded virtual meeting of foreign ministers of the NATO military alliance.
Britain, France, Germany Voice ‘Grave Concern’ Over Iran’s Uranium Enrichment
Britain, France, and Germany — three of the signatories of a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers — have expressed serious concern over the UN’s nuclear watchdog reporting that Tehran has produced uranium metal and stepped up production of weapons-grade enriched uranium in violation of the deal.
Iran Moving Towards Nuclear Weapons, Watchdog Suggests
Iran is rapidly moving towards nuclear arms capabilities, with a report suggesting that it accelerated its enrichment of uranium to near weapons-grade.
Hungary, Bulgaria Refuse To Sign Afghan Refugees Statement
Hungary and Bulgaria broke ranks with the European Union on Monday as the only EU states not to sign a declaration calling for all Afghans wishing to leave to be allowed to do so.
Hungary Mourning Victims Of Massive Bus Crash; Eight Killed, Dozens Injured
Hungary’s prime minister has urged Hungarians to look after each other after a massive bus crash killed eight people and injured dozens.
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.
Taliban Closer To Afghan Capital After Seizing Key City
The militant Taliban group was closing Thursday in on Afghanistan’s capital Kabul after the US already urged citizens to leave “immediately.”
“Apocalyptic” Fires, Floods Hit World Raising Questions
Apocalyptic scenes ranging from droughts to massive fires and floods are making life difficult for millions of people worldwide. For example, thousands have fled wildfires in Greece where, after a small break, another heatwave with temperatures of over 40 degrees (104 Fahrenheit) was on its way — with the potential to worsen the situation.
Taliban Control 65 Percent of Afghanistan, EU Official Says, After Series of Sudden Gains
Taliban insurgents tightened their grip on captured Afghan territory on Tuesday as civilians hid in their homes, and a European Union official said the militants now control 65% of the country after a string of gains as foreign forces pull out.
As Protests Continue in Europe, Germany the Latest to Introduce Vaccine-Related Restrictions
Amid a backlash against COVID-19 vaccine “health passes” elsewhere in Europe, Germany on Tuesday announced new restrictions on the unvaccinated, including ending free coronavirus testing.
U.N. Body Claims End Of Humanity Near Due To Climate Change
Billions of people are facing the prospect of more government control over their lives, with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) saying Monday that human activities “unequivocally” caused climate change with the world “likely” to hit the “1.5 Celsius (34.7 Fahrenheit) limit within 20 years”.
Hungary’s Orbán Condemns President Biden Over Totalitarian Remarks
Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has condemned U.S. President Joe Biden for calling him an “authoritarian tug.”
Greece, Europe Battling Blazes With Thousands Rushing To Safety
Greece is among the worst affected countries by deadly wildfires raging through the Balkans, Italy, and the southeastern Mediterranean. Fires rampaged through some of Greece’s last remaining forests for yet another day Saturday, after thousands fled by land and by sea.