World Bank: $480M needed for short-term Gaza recovery
A World Bank report estimates that it will cost $485 million in recovery for damage caused in the Gaza Strip during 11 days of fighting between Israel and Palestinian terror groups in May.
European Union
Belarus President’s Challenger Sentenced To 14 Years Jail
A former challenger of the autocratic president of Belarus has been sentenced to 14 years imprisonment. Viktor Babaryko received the penalty for alleged financial wrongdoing, charges he says are politically motivated. The jail term is another setback for thousands of people demanding change in the former Soviet nation.
Dutch Reporter Peter R. De Vries Shot In Amsterdam
Dutch crime reporter Peter R. de Vries was shot and injured in Amsterdam after participating in a television show, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
EU Launches Digital COVID-19 Travel Certificate
The European Union has formally launched its digital COVID-19 certificate, designed to make travel safe and easy for the fully vaccinated within its member nations — but at least one airline says the app has run into issues on its first day of use.
UN Chief Calls On U.S. To Lift Iran Sanctions As Agreed In 2015
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed to the U.S. administration to “lift or waive” all sanctions on Iran as agreed under the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.
Czech Aftermath Of Deadly Tornado
The Czech Republic struggles with the aftermath of one of the most devastating and deadliest tornadoes in the nation’s modern history. Authorities said at least five people were killed and hundreds injured after buildings, including a church, suffered damage.
Hungary’s Premier Won’t Withdraw Anti-LGBT law
Hungary‘s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has vowed not to withdraw a law that bans sharing with minors content portraying homosexuality or sex reassignment.
Hungary’s Premier Defends Anti-LGTB Law As EU Pressure Mounts
Hungary’s embattled prime minister condemns mounting European Union criticism over a new homosexual and transgender law that he says protects children against pedophilia.
Hungary Says Anti-LGBT Law Protects Children
Hungary’s conservative government says a new law prohibiting sharing with minors any content portraying homosexuality or sex reassignment is linked to its fight against pedophilia.
Pakistan: Islamic extremists call for beheading of Christian couple acquitted in blasphemy case
Islamic extremists in Pakistan are publicly calling for the beheading of a Christian couple and their attorney after the Lahore High Court quashed the couple’s 2014 conviction for alleged blasphemy and ordered their release from prison, Morning Star News.
Germany rolling out digital COVID-19 vaccination ‘passport’
Germany last week Thursday began rolling out a digital COVID-19 vaccination pass that travelers can use to travel across Europe, the Associated Press reports. The “CovPass” is expected to be available by the end of the month to everyone in Germany who has been fully vaccinated.
US, EU End Airbus- Boeing Trade Dispute
The United States and the European Union have resolved their near 17-year conflict over aircraft subsidies, Worthy News learned Tuesday.
Belarus Parades Opposition Journalist At News Conference
Several journalists and diplomats left a news conference in Belarus after authorities unexpectedly paraded the detained opposition journalist Roman Protasevich at the briefing. With Protasevich appearing under duress, the uniformed officials gave their version of the Ryanair passenger plane diversion of May 23.
Group of Seven Rollout World Vaccination and Global Tax Plan
The Group of Seven (G7) nations have agreed to participate in a worldwide vaccination plan “to halt the coronavirus pandemic.” It comes amid concerns among G7 leaders that impoverished countries are being left out in the global jab drive. They also want a global tax as they seek to raise their contributions to meet an overdue spending pledge of 100 billion dollars a year by rich countries to help poorer ones cut carbon emissions. And, the leaders made clear they will be seeking to rival China in reaching out to lower and middle-income countries.
AstraZeneca shots should be halted for over-60s too
Countries should also avoid giving the Astrazeneca coronavirus vaccine to people over 60, the head of the EU drug regulator’s COVID-19 task force was quoted on Sunday as saying, amid fears over rare blood clotting and as more vaccines become available.
EU talks up hope of breakthrough at Iran nuclear meetings
European Union negotiators said international talks that resumed Saturday on the Iran nuclear agreement were on track to revive the deal, which crumbled after the United States withdrew in 2018.
G7 Pledges To Vaccinate World
The Group of Seven (G7) nations will provide 1 billion vaccine doses over the next year as part of a worldwide vaccinating plan, Worthy News learned.
EU Calls for Unfettered Investigation Into Origins of COVID-19
European Union leaders on Thursday called for an unfettered investigation into the origins of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which they said is necessary to draw the right lessons from the pandemic.
Biden to depart for jam-packed first foreign trip, including Putin meeting
Joe Biden will fight what he calls a “defining” battle for democracy on his first foreign presidential trip, meeting top US allies in Europe ahead of a tricky summit with Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
FBI’s encrypted communication platform facilitates massive international sting operation
An encrypted communications platform developed by the FBI facilitated a global sting operation that targeted criminality in 16 countries and resulted in over 800 arrests, the Washington Times reports. Led by the FBI, Operation Trojan involved the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the European Union police agency Europol and law enforcement agencies in delivering what police officials described as “an unprecedented blow” to criminal organizations.