US, 17 other countries urge Hamas to release hostages, end Gaza crisis
Washington DC, US Reuters The United States and 17 other countries on Thursday issued an appeal for Hamas to release all of its hostages as a pathway to end the crisis in Gaza, but Hamas vowed not to relent to international pressure. “We call for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas in […]
EU members call for revision of anti-deforestation law
Brussels, Belgium Reuters A group of EU countries led by Austria is calling for urgent revisions to the bloc’s anti-deforestation law set to go into effect at the end of the year, saying it could hurt European farmers, according to a document reviewed by Reuters on Monday. The EU law aims to root deforestation out […]
Barriers to entry: For Iranian converts claiming religious persecution, European courts require proof of faith
HANNA VIOQUE, of Religion News Service, reports how judges across Europe are having a tough time deciding whether asylum-seekers claiming religious persecution are ‘genuine’ Christians…
US warns of Russian effort to tilt 2024 elections in Europe against Ukraine
Washington DC, US Reuters The United States believes Russia will conduct “information operations” aimed at turning opinion in Europe against Ukraine as countries across the continent go to the polls this year, the head of the State Department’s office for disinformation said on Thursday. Dozens of countries worldwide will elect new leaders in 2024, including […]
In a troubled world, Christians strive to put aside earthly worries on Christmas Eve
Frankfurt, Germany AP Christians around the world were striving on Christmas Eve to put aside the worries and fears of an unsettled, war-torn world as they prepared to celebrate the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. Believers in Syria gathered Sunday in a country still suffering from the aftermath of a long civil war and suffocating economic blockade. […]
Security hiked at Cologne Cathedral for Christmas amid attack threat
Berlin, GermanyReuters German police said on Saturday they were heightening security at Cologne Cathedral following indications of an attack planned for New Year’s Eve and in the wake of government warnings in recent weeks about the rising threat of Islamist violence. The police said in a statement they would use tracker dogs to check the […]
Seven European countries pledge CO2-free power systems by 2035
Brussels, BelgiumReuters Seven countries including Germany, the Netherlands and France pledged on Monday to eliminate CO2-emitting power plants from their electricity systems by 2035. Taken together, the countries account for nearly half of EU power production – largely thanks to the contributions from Germany and France, Europe’s two biggest power producers. Steam rises from the […]
StrangeSights: Dog bites…president; a controversial ‘Bird of the Century’; and, biggest plane yet lands in Antarctica
DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
StrangeSights: Smiling lessons in Japan; designer coffins; and, Austria’s ballot mix-up…
DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
Hungary frees 777 foreigners convicted of people smuggling – statement
Budapest, HungaryReuters Hungary has in recent weeks freed 777 foreigners, mostly Serbian, Ukrainian and Romanian nationals, convicted of human-trafficking, the directorate of prisons said on Wednesday in a reply to Reuters questions. Citing overcrowded prisons, Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s government issued a decree in April allowing the release of foreign nationals convicted of people smuggling, […]