Hungary Police Probing COVID Vaccine Critics (Worthy News In-depth)
Hungary’s police have launched a fresh crackdown on people who publicly express doubts about coronavirus vaccines or mask-wearing in the European Union nation.
European Union
Pakistan persecution: Another Christian nurse accused of blasphemy
In the third such incident this year, a Christian nurse has been hounded and threatened into hiding by Muslim colleagues who accused her of blaspheming against Islam last week, Morning Star News reports. Pakistan ranks 5th on the US Open Doors Watch List of countries where Christians are persecuted.
EU-China investment deal put on ice over sanctions
A diplomatic spat between the European Union and China has jeopardized a major investment agreement, officials said on Tuesday.
Russia says it’s ready to promote direct Israeli-Palestinian contacts
Russia is ready to promote direct contacts between Israel and the Palestinian leadership and working toward a high-level meeting of the Middle East Quartet mediating the Israel-Palestinian peace process, the Russian foreign minister said Wednesday.
Europe Facing Social Turmoil Over COVID-19 Pandemic
Pope Francis prayed for the end of the pandemic amid mounting social turmoil in Europe about COVID-19 restrictions. His prayers in St. Peter’s Basilica and call for “a horizon of hope” came as in Belgium’s capital Brussels police said they detained more than 130 people at an “illegal” party.
EU, UN call on Abbas to set new date for Palestinian elections
The Palestinian Authority should set a new date for the Legislative Council elections – and Israel should allow Palestinians to cast their ballots in Jerusalem, the European Union and the United Nations said on Friday.
Biden Defends Multi-Trillion Spending, Condemns Trump
Joe Biden used his first address to Congress as the 46th U.S. president to indirectly condemn his predecessor and sell multi-trillion budget plans for social programs and U.S. infrastructure.
EU condemns UNRWA for ‘hate speech and violence’ taught in PA schools
The European Union on Wednesday passed an unprecedented resolution to condemn the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees for printing, distributing and using textbooks inciting and endorsing violence against Israel and the Jewish people in Palestinian Authority schools.
Vaccine passports gain traction in Democratic places and bans in red states
Vaccine passports, or documents that show a person’s COVID-19 vaccination status, have been touted in Democratic-run states as tools for reviving commerce and tourism, while they’ve been outright banned in several red states. The Biden administration, meanwhile, has ruled out a federal vaccine passport mandate, citing privacy concerns.
Abbas tells global allies he will postpone Palestinian elections
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has notified the European Union, Jordan and Egypt of his decision to postpone Palestinian parliamentary elections, originally scheduled for May 22, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported on Tuesday.
Four Killed In German Clinic
German police say four people have been killed at a clinic in the eastern city of Potsdam, and a woman was detained. At least one person was seriously injured, German media reported.
EU Commission President Condemns Turkey Over “Sofagate”
Ursula von der Leyen, the first female president of the European Union’s executive commission, has lashed out at Muslim-majority Turkey for violating women’s rights saying she was “feeling hurt” by a chair snap.
US Easing Mask Wearing Guidelines
Amid mounting public pressure, the U.S. leading health authority eased guidelines on wearing masks outdoors. In remarks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said fully vaccinated Americans don’t need to cover their faces anymore unless they are in a big crowd of strangers.
European Parliament set to greenlight post-Brexit trade deal
European Union lawmakers are set to formally ratify the post-Brexit deal between the EU and the United Kingdom amid ongoing tensions between London and Brussels over Northern Ireland trade rules.
Fully vaccinated US tourists to be allowed into EU this summer
Vaccinated tourists from the United States will be permitted to visit the European Union this summer, according to a European Commission official.
US Warns Russia Of Consequences If Kremlin-Critic Navalny Dies
The United States had warned Russia of “consequences” if jailed opposition leader Alexey Navalny dies amid mounting concerns about his health.
Russia, Czech Republic Expel Dozens Of Diplomats
Russia expelled 20 Czech diplomats after the Czech Republic ordered 18 Russian diplomats to leave on Saturday.
Hong Kong Court Jails Media Tycoon, Activists, For Pro-Democracy Rallies
A court in Hong Kong on Friday sentenced veteran pro-democracy leaders to prison terms of between eight and 18 months as Beijing remodels the city into one resembling any other on the Chinese mainland.
Turmoil Over China’s First University In Hungary (Worthy News In-depth)
Political tensions are rising in Hungary over government plans to build the European Union’s first Chinese university campus in Budapest, the capital, despite security and social concerns.
Britain, France, Germany slam Iran for further violating 2015 nuclear deal
Britain, France and Germany criticized Iran on Wednesday for increasing enrichment of uranium to levels banned by the 2015 nuclear deal.