Month: December 2021

Chile Elects Leftist Student Protestor

Boric was a leader in the student protests in 2011 before entering politics. He unexpectedly became a presidential candidate when he beat the communist party candidate, Daniel Jadue in primaries last May. During the campaign before the second elections, he moderated his radical image—though Boric has denied being a communist.

Vaccine Mandates and the Nuremberg Code: An Ethical Analysis

There is an ethical case to be made against vaccine mandates. It is far from straightforward, and it requires careful reasoning and methodical analysis. This conversation would be centered around the question about the role of government in our lives.

French Trade Unions Attack Solidarność

The famous Polish trade union, which played a decisive role in the late 1980s in the fight against communism and the fall of the dictatorial regime in Poland, has been criticized by French trade unions for its excessive complacency towards two personalities of the French Right, Marine Le Pen and Éric Zemmour.

Berlin Elects a New Mayor

Franziska Giffey was elected with 84 votes in favor (out of 139) in the House of Representatives, making her the first woman appointed to the highest office of Berlin politics.

At the Heart of the French Presidential Election

Until a few months ago, the French media believed that the presidential campaign would be a repeat of the 2017 campaign, with a second round that would pit Emmanuel Macron against Marine Le Pen and end with the re-election of Emmanuel Macron. Today, nothing is written in stone, and the fundamentally unpredictable nature of political life gives us hope.

German Health Minister’s Party Congress Sponsored by Pfizer 

Widely ignored by the establishment press, the annual Party Congress of Germany’s Social Democratic Party—which is the Federal Health Minister’s party—has been funded by Pfizer, which is projected to rake in €32 billion this year through sales of its COVID-19 vaccine.

Pope Francis’ Latest Pronouncement Targets Traditionalist Catholics

The traditionalists’ response to the news—and implied impugnation—was irate. Various prominent commentators decried the move, some claiming it to be a petty attack by the Pontiff on faithful Catholics—already distressed by the pandemic-driven closing of church doors and growing economic uncertainty.

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Approved by European Regulator

It is hoped that Novavax’s protein-based, and thus more traditional, vaccine could persuade holdouts who worry about the current mRNA vaccine’s safety profile to take the plunge. It would add a fifth vaccine to the EU’s arsenal, next to those of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

Russia and China Form “New Model of Cooperation”

“A new model of cooperation has been formed between our countries, based, among other things, on such principles as non-interference in internal affairs and respect for each other’s interests,” Putin reportedly told Xi during their meeting.

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Approved by European Regulator

Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Approved by European Regulator

It is hoped that Novavax’s protein-based, and thus more traditional, vaccine could persuade holdouts who worry about the current mRNA vaccine’s safety profile to take the plunge. It would add a fifth vaccine to the EU’s arsenal, next to those of Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson.

December 21, 2021
Russia and China Form “New Model of Cooperation”

Russia and China Form “New Model of Cooperation”

“A new model of cooperation has been formed between our countries, based, among other things, on such principles as non-interference in internal affairs and respect for each other’s interests,” Putin reportedly told Xi during their meeting.

December 21, 2021
COVID, Ukraine, and Migration Occupy Bulk of European Council’s Attention

COVID, Ukraine, and Migration Occupy Bulk of European Council’s Attention

EU leaders discussed their response to a pandemic situation that’s quickly evolving. “Urgent administration of booster shots” and “overcoming vaccine hesitancy,” which also entails “addressing disinformation,” remained primary goals, though it was agreed to “take forward the implementation of COVID-19 therapeutics via joint procurement.”

December 21, 2021
Germany May Join Iran, China, and Pakistan in Banning Telegram 

Germany May Join Iran, China, and Pakistan in Banning Telegram 

“What is spread on Telegram is disgusting, indecent, and criminal,” Federal Justice Minister Buschmann said. “My wish is that we do not take a special German path, but rather create a common European legal framework that enables us to take action against hatred and agitation on the Internet.”

December 21, 2021
When God Tore the Curtain

When God Tore the Curtain

To be a Christian is to see behind the veil—to see the face of God. Advent–the arrival of Jesus Christ on earth–was, is–the apotheosis of human history—when the Lord tore through the veil of time that separates now and always. 

December 21, 2021
Pro-life Prayer Vigils to be Criminalized in Spain

Pro-life Prayer Vigils to be Criminalized in Spain

“Every day, the government sent police officers to scare us [as we held peaceful prayer vigils outside abortion clinics],” reported the Madrid coordinator of 40 Days for Life.

December 20, 2021
Orbán: Government of Hungary Obliged to “Defend the Constitutional Identity of the Country”

Orbán: Government of Hungary Obliged to “Defend the Constitutional Identity of the Country”

Prime Minister Orbán commented on the Hungarian Constitutional Court’s decision to recognize the precedence of Hungary’s Fundamental Law over the European Court of Justice.

December 20, 2021
Studies Show Need for New Vaccine Strategies

Studies Show Need for New Vaccine Strategies

Researchers involved in both studies pointed out that their findings are in line with the established science of vaccination—naturally acquired antibodies provide the widest breath of immunity and repeated vaccination with a particular strain of a virus can decrease immunity to other variants. 

December 20, 2021
Latin American Exiles in Spain Won’t Be Silenced

Latin American Exiles in Spain Won’t Be Silenced

The three speakers vindicated their experiences living in totalitarian regimes against those who are convinced by propaganda and ideology that Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Cuba are free, democratic states. 

December 20, 2021
Macron’s Euro-Vision: More Brussels and More Debt

Macron’s Euro-Vision: More Brussels and More Debt

President Macron wants the EU to reform budget rules to increase public-sector investments, which, he hopes, would lead to stronger economic growth and higher levels of employment. Macron’s vision is understandable, but his reforms are likely to defeat their own purpose.

December 20, 2021
Do We Need University HR Departments?

Do We Need University HR Departments?

Nowadays, HR departments are focused on pursuing a ‘woke’ culture, dictating what staff can say or do or even think (or increasingly not), and introducing evidence-free, trendy but transient initiatives such as mandatory unconscious bias training, and ‘Equity, Diversity and Inclusion’ courses.

Under Scrutiny: No International Right to Abortion

Under Scrutiny: No International Right to Abortion

The judicial designation of abortion as a right leads to inevitable consequences in other legal spheres. “Failure to protect human life in one area of law will lead to failure elsewhere. Life must either be protected everywhere, or it is at risk everywhere.”

December 19, 2021