Thursday, 27 August 2020 21:32
Germany scraps plans for Brexit talks
The German government, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU council, had intended to discuss Brexit during a meeting of EU ambassadors on 2 September, but has now decided to drop the Brexit issue because…
Thursday, 20 August 2020 21:09
Belarus: winds of change?
Belarus is known as ‘Europe’s last dictatorship’. After being elected on an anti-corruption platform President Lukashenko ruled for 26 years, betraying his mandate and the trust of his people. When citizens cast their ballots recently they…
Thursday, 20 August 2020 21:06
Migrant boy found dead on Calais beach
Two teenagers unsuccessfully tried to cross the Channel in a three-foot dinghy using shovels as oars. They wanted to cross by themselves, bypassing people smugglers who charge high prices. One was a 16-year-old Sudanese boy who…
Thursday, 20 August 2020 21:00
Russia: persecution of missionaries
Individuals of almost every religious affiliation continue to face prosecution under Russia’s ‘anti-missionary legislation’ for exercising their right to freedom of religion and belief. Despite a 2018 constitutional court decision which offered some clarification of what…
Thursday, 13 August 2020 20:39
Russia: vaccine approved for use
Vladimir Putin said a vaccine for Covid-19 has been given regulatory approval after less than two months’ testing on humans. It has passed all the required checks, and he added that his daughter had already been…
Thursday, 13 August 2020 20:36
Albania: ‘take more care of people’
Monsignor George Frendo, chair of Albania’s interfaith council, has appealed for the country to take more care of its people’s health. ‘Have we reconciled with the coronavirus? Or are we afraid that more restrictions will create…