Palestinian Authority to hold first elections in 15 years
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Friday announced that parliamentary and presidential elections will take place in the country for the first time in 15 years.
ISIS
Germany Searching For Leader As EU Governments Collapse
Europe searched for effective leadership Saturday after the collapse of several governments and an expected tough election for Germany’s next chancellor.
EU Governments Collapse Over Power Abuse, Corruption
Several European countries were without governments Friday after Cabinets collapsed over abuse of power and corruption charges.
Israel announces highest budget deficit in its history
Israel’s Accountant General announced Monday that the country’s budget deficit for 2020 was $50.4 billion, the highest it has ever been and three times higher than it was in 2019, Ynet News reports. The record figure was largely anticipated in light of the economic devastation wrought during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Netanyahu: We will start vaccinating 170,000 people a day
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday, as a shipment of 700,000 Pfizer COVID vaccines arrived at Ben-Gurion International Airport, that the Pfizer vaccines would continue to arrive, with a “huge” shipment expected.
Israeli company helps provide clean water to Palestinians in Gaza Strip
A Jewish-Israeli businessman is helping Palestinians in the Gaza Strip to access clean water, the Times of Israel reports. Through his Israel-based company Watergen, Mikhail Mirilashvili has provided atmospheric water generators to Gaza in an effort to relieve the chronic drinking-water crisis there.
Saudi Arabia and Qatar resume diplomatic relations through US-brokered deal
Saudi Arabia restored its severed ties with Qatar on Tuesday, as the two countries signed a US-brokered agreement to end their dispute and resolve the Gulf crisis that broke out three years ago, Axios reports. A Saudi-led coalition cut diplomatic relations with Qatar in 2017 on the grounds of alleged Qatari support for Iran and terrorist organizations.
Nigeria Fighters Kill and Kidnap Christians
Christian farming communities reportedly faced new attacks and abductions on Christmas Eve by suspected Islamic Fulani fighters who recently killed dozens of Christians.
100 doctors protest Israel’s COVID-19 restrictions
Over 100 doctors in Israel have signed a letter of protest against the government’s COVID-19 lockdowns and its alternative restrictions such as the closure of schools, the Times of Israel (TOI) reported Sunday. The physicians’ protest was made as the number of daily coronavirus cases in Israel surged to nearly 3,000 Tuesday through Friday last week, and as a new wave of restrictions looked likely.
Hungary’s Opposition Unites Against Autocratic Prime Minister
Six Hungarian opposition parties say they unite to oust the increasingly autocratic Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has suffered in the polls amid ongoing corruption scandals.
Lawmakers have reached a deal on a coronavirus relief package
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Sunday night said that legislators have arrived at an agreement regarding a coronavirus relief package.
Bethlehem To Celebrate Christmas Despite Coronavirus Crisis
Church leaders and local authorities say they are preparing Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, the Biblical birthplace of Jesus, despite a reported increase in coronavirus cases. “Bethlehem is going to celebrate Christmas. And Christmas will not be canceled,” pledged Mayor Anton Salman.
Hungary Approves ‘Anti-Gay’ Constitution
Hungary has adopted an amendment to its constitution that effectively bans the adoption of children by same-sex couples. The legislation also loosens oversight of public funds despite corruption concerns and detailed rules governing war times.
Sudan removed from US list of state sponsors of terrorism
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo announced Monday that Sudan has been officially removed from a list of countries that the US considers being state sponsors of terrorism, the Jerusalem Post reports. The 1993 US designation of Sudan as a terror sponsor was made during the brutal dictatorship of former president Omar al-Bashir, who was believed to be protecting terrorist groups, and who was finally ousted last year.
US Government deficit increased by 25.1% in first 2 months of budget year
The US government deficit in the first two months of the budget year increased by 25.1% more than it was at the same time last year, PBS reports. The rise reflects increased government spending to manage the COVID-19 pandemic against a related backdrop of decreased income from taxes. The budget year begins on October 1.
EU, Britain Face Messy Divorce After Talks Breakdown
European leaders have warned that Britain’s exit from the European Union will likely be without a crucial deal on $1 trillion in annual trade. Britain already quit the EU in January, but it remained in the EU single market and customs union during a transition period.
Hungary Soccer Club And Government Support Persecuted Christians
Hungary’s leading soccer club Ferencváros (FTC) and the conservative government have agreed to support persecuted Christians worldwide.
Amid Pandemic, Davos Event to Be Held in Singapore Next Year
Organizers of the annual World Economic Forum event in Davos, Switzerland, have again changed their planned venue for next year’s edition, announcing it will now take place in Singapore in May — a sign that the COVID-19 crisis has played havoc with planning.
Knesset advances motion to disband, moving toward 4th elections in 2 years
The Knesset on Wednesday passed a bill to dissolve, setting the stage for the fourth round of national elections in two years as Defense Minister Benny Gantz and his Blue and White party broke from the coalition and voted in favor of the measure.
Lapid praises ex-partner Gantz for vowing to back bill to dissolve Knesset
Opposition Leader Yair Lapid on Tuesday cheered Defense Minister Benny Gantz’s decision to throw his Blue and White party’s support behind a preliminary reading of a bill to dissolve the Knesset and call early elections.