December 28, 2020 – THE OVAL CIRCLE

Construction of German stretch of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline FINISHED, company says

Posted on December 28, 2020December 28, 2020By Editor

Nord Stream 2 AG, the company managing a major project to bring Russian gas to Europe, announced on Monday that the construction of the 2.6-kilometer stretch of the gas pipeline in German waters has been completed. … Read More >Construction of German stretch of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline FINISHED, company says

Russia

‘Hold on, summer is around the corner’: Siberian bikini party at minus 39 Celsius goes viral (VIDEO)

Posted on December 28, 2020December 28, 2020By Editor

A group of young men in the Siberian city of Tomsk couldn’t wait for summer and staged an outdoor swimsuit party in December at minus 39 Celsius, impressing even cold-hardened Russian viewers. … Read More >‘Hold on, summer is around the corner’: Siberian bikini party at minus 39 Celsius goes viral (VIDEO)

Human rights activists slam Israel for ‘politically motivated’ decision to postpone vaccination of Palestinian prisoners

Posted on December 28, 2020December 28, 2020By Editor

The order by Israeli Public Security Minister Amir Ohana to withhold Covid-19 vaccines from Palestinian prisoners was discriminatory and contradicted the guidelines of the country’s own Health Ministry, human rights groups say. … Read More >Human rights activists slam Israel for ‘politically motivated’ decision to postpone vaccination of Palestinian prisoners

Prominent Saudi women’s rights activist sentenced to nearly 6 years, local media report

Posted on December 28, 2020December 28, 2020By Editor

Loujain al-Hathloul, a renowned Saudi advocate of women’s rights, has been sentenced to five years and eight months in prison, local media have reported. However, an early release is also reportedly possible for her in February. … Read More >Prominent Saudi women’s rights activist sentenced to nearly 6 years, local media report

Chinese expats coming home to get domestic Covid vaccine – media

Posted on December 28, 2020December 28, 2020By Editor

Chinese expats are returning to their country of birth to be vaccinated against Covid-19, and are even bragging about it on the internet, according to Chinese state media. … Read More >Chinese expats coming home to get domestic Covid vaccine – media

US must stop using Hong Kong, Taiwan & Tibet to meddle in China’s domestic affairs — Beijing

Posted on December 28, 2020December 28, 2020By Editor

China said it “strongly opposes” new US laws on Taiwan and Tibet, as well as pressure from Washington to release Hong Kong activists charged with illegal border crossing. … Read More >US must stop using Hong Kong, Taiwan & Tibet to meddle in China’s domestic affairs — Beijing

EU

European travel insurers warn jab will be required to book trips if EU adopts Covid-19 vaccine mandate

Posted on December 28, 2020December 28, 2020By Editor

Several European travel insurance companies say the Covid-19 vaccine will become mandatory to book a trip, should the EU adopt the requirement – a vow that has unsettled those who haven’t made up their mind about taking a jab. … Read More >European travel insurers warn jab will be required to book trips if EU adopts Covid-19 vaccine mandate

‘Viruses do not take a break during holidays,’ Japan’s PM says, amid third wave of Covid infections

Posted on December 28, 2020December 28, 2020By Editor

Japan’s Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga called on citizens to spend the holiday season “quietly,” as the country started banning non-resident foreign nationals from entering amid record-high new coronavirus cases. … Read More >‘Viruses do not take a break during holidays,’ Japan’s PM says, amid third wave of Covid infections

Iran tells US & Israel not to cross ‘red lines’ in Gulf after reports of submarine deployments

Posted on December 28, 2020December 28, 2020By Editor

Tehran said on Monday that it will defend itself, warning the United States and Israel against setting out on any “adventures” during the Trump administration’s final days in office, and as regional tensions simmer. … Read More >Iran tells US & Israel not to cross ‘red lines’ in Gulf after reports of submarine deployments

EU

Sacrificing freedom for the environment? German MP suggests restrictions ‘similar’ to Covid-19 lockdowns to fight climate change

Posted on December 28, 2020December 28, 2020By Editor

Humanity should sacrifice “personal freedom” just as many nations did during the Covid-19 pandemic in order to successfully fight climate change, a German MP has said, adding that there will “never” be a vaccine against CO2. … Read More >Sacrificing freedom for the environment? German MP suggests restrictions ‘similar’ to Covid-19 lockdowns to fight climate change