RUSSIA, 6 and 4 years in prison for a couple of Jehovah’s Witnesses
By Willy Fautre
On 18 December 2023, the judge of the Novosibirsk District Court, Oleg Karpets, sentenced Marina Chaplykina to 4 years in prison, and Valeriy Maletskov to 6 years in prison for organizing religious meetings in private homes. They were taken into custody in the courtroom. They do not admit their guilt and can appeal the verdict. In April 2019, FSB investigator Selyunin opened a criminal case against them, accusing them of extremism. On the same day, searches were carried out at a total of 12 addresses. In one case, the planting of banned literature was seen. Valeriy Maletskov, who lives with his
https://europeantimes.news/2023/12/russia-6-and-4-years-in-prison-for-a-couple-of-jehovahs-witnesses/

Editrice Vaticana presented a book on Mama Antula, the new Argentinean saint
By Newsdesk
Published in Italian by the prestigious Editrice Vaticana, the book illuminates the life and work of María Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, known as Mama Antula, who will be canonized on 11 February 2024 as announced by Pope Francis on Saturday 16 December. “Mama Antula, the most rebellious woman of her time” written by Nunzia Locatelli and Cintia Suárez, was presented on Tuesday afternoon at an exclusive meeting at the Vatican Film Library a few meters from Pope Francis’ residence. The presentation was attended by Andrea Tornielli, Vaticanist of great international prestige; Paolo Ruffini and Monsignor Lucio Ruiz, Prefect and
https://europeantimes.news/2023/12/editrice-vaticana-presented-a-book-on-mama-antula-the-new-argentinean-saint/

French anti-cult law proposes to criminalise natural health
By Newsdesk
Vote on 19 December will decide the future of alternative medicine in FranceNext week in France, the parliament will decide whether or not to support a law that grants authorities the power to criminalise those who criticise or avoid conventional medical practices deemed ‘essential’, or use or promote natural or alternative medicines instead. Macron’s government plans to implement these powers by amending existing French law on sectarian drift which will be discussed and voted on by the French Parliament next Tuesday, 19 December. If passed, individuals or organisations prosecuted under the new law will face jail sentences of between 1
https://europeantimes.news/2023/12/french-anti-cult-law-proposes-to-criminalise-natural-health/

The Flawed Sanctions Policy: Why Putin Wins
By Gary Cartwright
On December 1, Robin Brooks, chief economist and managing director of the Institute of International Finance, asked, “You have to wonder what’s going on in the EU. Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is a big threat to everything the EU stands for. But then there are many examples like this: EU exports to Armenia are up 200% since the invasion. This stuff goes to Russia and helps Putin. What is Brussels doing?” Coincidentally, just one day earlier, on November 30, The Economist stated that “Putin seems to be winning the war in Ukraine—for now.” This article highlighted the West’s failure to
https://europeantimes.news/2023/12/the-flawed-sanctions-policy-why-putin-wins/

Concert at the European Parliament: Omar Harfouch plays his new composition for world peace
By Newsdesk
Event this Tuesday evening at the European Commission in Brussels. Omar Harfouch, who has been in the news in recent weeks following his acquisition of Entrevue magazine, has shown that he has several strings to his bow. Honorary President of the Organization for Dialogue and Diversity, the businessman, also a pianist-composer, played his brand new piece of music which he specially composed for a call for world peace. A piece also entitled “Save a life, you save humanity”, in reference to a famous phrase mentioned in the Torah and in the Holy Koran. The concert took place in the main
https://europeantimes.news/2023/12/concert-at-the-european-parliament-omar-harfouch-plays-his-new-composition-for-world-peace/

Javier Milei and Victoria Eugenia Villarruel were sworn in as President and Vice-President of Argentina
By Newsdesk
The presidents were sworn in at the Congress of the Nation where the oath and ceremony of transfer of power to Milei took place, with the presentation of the Presidential Sash and Baton by the former President, Alberto Fernández. The Legislative Assembly began at 11:14 a.m., with the customary ringing of the bell, and was presided over by the outgoing Vice-President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, who, accompanied by the President of the Chamber of Deputies, Martín Menem, and the outgoing Parliamentary Secretary of the Senate, Marcelo Fuentes, welcomed the presidents and former presidents of Argentina, legislators, governors, foreign delegations and
https://europeantimes.news/2023/12/javier-milei-and-victoria-eugenia-villarruel-were-sworn-in-as-president-and-vice-president-of-argentina/

Leonardo Pereznieto, Maestro of Realism, Mentor to Millions
By Newsdesk
In a world where abstract art often dominates gallery walls and news headlines, the hyperrealist visions of Leonardo Pereznieto stand out for their technical mastery and emotional resonance. Since picking up his first pencil as a child in Spain, Pereznieto has dedicated his life to perfectly capturing the beauty of the world around him and sharing his craft with budding artists across the globe. Born To Draw Pereznieto showed artistic talent from a very young age, filling sketchbooks with observational drawings of people and places. As a teenager, he began formal art training, honing his skills in drawing, painting, and
https://europeantimes.news/2023/12/leonardo-pereznieto-maestro-of-realism-mentor-to-millions/

Metsola: If we are not to stagnate, we cannot be afraid of change
By Newsdesk
In her speech, President Metsola said: In this crucial moment of relaunching, reforming and reimagining Europe, the values of peace, justice, freedom and human dignity would remain firmly positioned at the bedrock of everything that we have built and everything that we will continue to do. This is what distinguishes us as Europeans To forge a genuinely equitable and fair path forward, much more effort needs to be made to transform these values into concrete benefits for our people. Whether that is in the green transition or in the digital transition, our job is to ensure that our policies are
https://europeantimes.news/2023/12/metsola-if-we-are-not-to-stagnate-we-cannot-be-afraid-of-change/

MEP Maxette Pirbakas calls for the immediate reinstatement of Barbara Olivier-Zandronis
By Gaston de Persigny
MEP Maxette Pirbakas condemns the treatment of a journalist by RCI Guadeloupe, calling it a "brutal act" that defies press freedom. Full statement here.
https://europeantimes.news/2023/12/mep-maxette-pirbakas-calls-for-the-immediate-reinstatement-of-barbara-olivier-zandronis/

Elections in Bangladesh, Massive arrests of opposition activists
By Willy Fautre
The upcoming general elections in Bangladesh are marred by claims of repression, arrests, and violence against the opposition. The UN and the US have raised concerns about human rights violations, while the EU highlights extrajudicial killings.
https://europeantimes.news/2023/12/elections-bangladesh-arrests-opposition/

Historic Visit, European Sikh Organization Gains Support for Recognition within the European Union
By Juan Sanchez Gil
In a groundbreaking event on December 6, history was made as a Sikh delegation, accompanied by members of the European Sikh Organization, was extended a warm welcome at the European Parliament. This significant development marked the first time Sikhs were officially invited to the European Parliament, where promises of support for the recognition of Sikhs within the European Union were made. The Sikh delegation, with its registered office in Vilvoorde, was acknowledged by some members of the European Parliament as exemplary residents and citizens of Europe. This recognition, in part, can be attributed to the efforts of EU Member of
https://europeantimes.news/2023/12/historic-visit-european-sikh-organization-gains-support-for-recognition-within-the-european-union/