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World discovers new ways to celebrate Easter

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As Easter stays a few hours away, the world has discovered a new way to make sure that they do not miss the mood of Easter because of the coronavirus outbreak, through virtual platforms.

Many congregations have been attending remote services online, while their clergy preach to cameras in empty churches.

Easter is a big festival – especially in the west. The continent of Europe usually celebrates this festival in a grand manner. This time, due to the coronavirus outbreak, it is not possible.

What virtual platforms offer is a big solution. These platforms help millions to take part in the celebrations even though virtually.

Europe has not yet been recovered fully from the virus outbreak. It is not clear when the things come to normal. The latest reports from some of the worst affected countries indicate the ray of hope shines brightly above the continent at this juncture.

This Easter, in this difficult time, the world prays for the well being of everyone in this universe.


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German court overturns regional government’s travel ban

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The Greifswald Higher Court situated in the eastern part of Germany has found the regional government’s travel ban as disproportionate in curbing people’s local freedom.

The court has ordered that locals in that region can go to the popular Baltic coast this Easter weekend.

The ruling means despite the coronavirus lockdown the locals in this part of Germany can spent this Eater weekend on beaches.

Notably, the Germans from other regions lacks this freedom.

Interestingly, the Mecklenburg-West Pomerania government has not challenged the decision made by the top court of the region.

It is yet to be seen whether other less affected regions will follow the step taken by this state in this matter in the future.

Anyway, the locals of the region have been advised to stay 2m apart to reduce the threat of the spread of the virus.

Lockdowns are in force across Germany, but the restrictions vary from state to state. The toughest measures have been imposed in Bavaria and the Saarland.

The number of infections in Germany is over 1,18,000 cases and the total death toll is more than 2,600.

Fortunately, the rate is far lower than Italy, Spain and the UK.


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North-South divide deepens in Europe; FMs’ talk fails to bear any fruit

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A talk convened for European Union finance ministers on how to help those European countries badly affected by the coronavirus epidemic – especially those in the southern region of the continent – have collapsed in the last moment.

As per a latest statement made by the European Central Bank, the European Union may need up to €1.5tn to tackle the crisis.

The talk has stalled as a severe dispute has emerged between the Southern European country of Italy and the Northern European country of the Netherlands – which is comparatively less affected by the epidemic – over how to apply the recovery fund.

As per a latest report, the negotiation process is likely to resume in few hours, as the EU is keen to find a solution to the issue as early as possible.

Earlier, a senior European minister expressed his doubt about the longevity of the economic union. He warned of serious consequences.

The union has not yet responded to any criticism. It has recently reaffirmed its commitment towards its member countries, saying that it would come up with the solution to the present crisis soon.

Whether this crisis will lead to the collapse of the decades-old union is yet to be seen.


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Israeli man booked for spying for Iran

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A man, who hails from the Middle East country of Israel, has been booked on the charge of spying for the Middle East country of Iran – which is the arch rival of Israel.

According to the preliminary information, the arrest has foiled the man’s plan to conduct serious attacks on Israel.

For a reason which remains as a secret at this moment, the identity of the man has not been released yet.

The evidences that clearly showcase his relation with the Iranian intelligence agency have been recovered, as per a report.

As per a latest report released by the concerned authority, he has been charged with the charge of the infringement of the security of Israel.

Since the 1979 – in which Israel established its presence in the Middle East region as an indispensible power, the relation between Israel and Iran are improper.


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Europe: Coronavirus outbreak exposes North-South divide

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The coronavirus outbreak has exposed a rift exist between the Southern Europe and Northern Europe.

Italy and Spain – the worst hit countries – are angry with the northern nations, which is led by Germany and the Netherlands, as the latter has done not much to support the former.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has warned of serious consequences. As per his statement, if the EU fails to come up with a applicable plan to surmount the financial burden fallen up on the worst hit countries, the European Union economic bloc will fall apart.

As an attempt to cool down the tension, some EU frameworks have assured that they would come up with a powerful plan soon.

Unfortunately, a meeting happened two weeks ago to discuss this matter miserably failed to bear any fruit.

What Italy, Spain, France and some other EU states want is to share out coronavirus-incurred debt in the form of “coronabonds” – mutualised debt that all EU nations help pay off.

The problem here is that not all countries – especially some powerful countries in the northern part of Europe like Germany – are happy with the mutualised dept idea.

Whether this crisis contributes to the collapse of the decades-old Economic Union exist in the continent of Europe is yet to be seen.


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Pegasus to sell three promising beauty brands by auction

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Event production conglomerate Pegasus is preparing to sell its three promising beauty contest brands, Miss Asia, Miss South India and Miss Tamil Nadu, by auction.

The company has pledged to contribute at least fifty per cent of what it receives from the auction (after the necessary tax reduction) to the Prime Minister Relief Fund.

The details regarding the auction have been publicised by Pegasus Chairman Dr. Ajit Ravi through his social media post.

In his post, he says that it is his genuine care for his fellow countrymen that has brought him to this unusual decision to sell the three valuable brands.

He adds that if his contribution helps the government to wipe the tears of poor and encourage many to follow this step to support the nation at the time of this coronavirus crisis, it will be the greatest reward that his hard decision can receive.

As per the statement, the minimum bid that the company expects is not less than Rs. 10 crore.

Those who are interested to be a part of this auction – thus to be a part of a big humanitarian move, kindly contact: chairman@pegasusindia.org


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Germany accuses US of ‘Modern Piracy’

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The European country of Germany has accused the North American country of the United States of America of ‘Modern Piracy’, as the latter has been provocatively redirected 200,000 Germany-bound masks for its own use.

As per a report, the shipment of FFP2 masks from the US which was supposed to reach Germany was interrupted in Bangkok and was redirected to the US.

The masks were ordered for the Berlin police department.

A senior minister based in Berlin has lashed out at the US for its provocative act at the time the world is undergoing a serious crisis. His assumption is that the masks were directed at the behest of the US government.

The US recently invoked a Korean-War-era law which makes the country easier to control how the companies operate in the country function.

The US has not yet commended on this matter. It is unclear at this moment how the move is going to affect the relation between Germany and the United States.


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ECJ pulls up Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic over refugee issue

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The European Court of Justice has pulled up Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic as It has found these countries have failed to respect the EU law as it has not taken in refugees under an agreement reached by the EU leaders to ease the burden faced by Italy and Greece.

The agreement was supposed to benefit 160,000 refugees – especially those from the embattled country of Syria, and was supposed to bring a huge relief to overcrowded camps in Italy and Greece.

Now, the EU Commission is free to impose fines over these countries for the crimes they have committed by disrespecting the EU law.

The court has declined to accept these countries’ argument that the acceptance of refugees would create huge security issues in their country.

So far, the Czech Republic has accepted not more than 12 of the 2,000 refugees it had been asked to take in, while Hungary and Poland have not taken in a single person yet.


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Lockdown to remain in Italy till Easter

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The European country of Italy, one of the worst coronavirus affected countries in the continent of Europe, has extended its lockdown until Easter.

A ray of hope has emerged in Italy lately – like the one emerged in Spain recently, as a sharp decline in the infection rate has been reported from the country.

The number of new coronavirus infections reported is around 1,648, as against over 3,815 the previous day.

Nonetheless, the death toll has raised again, with over 812 deaths, as against not more than 756 the previous day.

The country knows very well that it is about to meet the peak of the present crisis in a week’s time. It is at present in a highly active mode, ready to confront any crisis with full power.

Unfortunately, Italy is one of the worst affected countries in the entire world in terms of number of deaths.

As many as 11,591 have died in the country due to the coronavirus outbreak so far.


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Hungary in severe political crisis

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The European country of Hungary is at present in serious political crisis. The ruling wants unrestricted power in their hands to fight the coronavirus outbreak. Meanwhile, the opposition stays committed to oppose with tooth and nail any attempt to place more power in the hands of the ruling.

The matter is now under the consideration of the Hungarian Parliament. With an impressive majority in the Parliament, it will not be difficult for the ruling to pass the bill in the Parliament.

Recently, a petition, with more than one lakh signatories, was made to oppose the attempt to offer more power in the hands of the ruling.

The population of the country has a mixed opinion on the matter. A section supports the logic put forth by the ruling that with less power on their hand the ruling has many limitations to confront this medical emergency at present. Meanwhile, some are worried about the threat posed by the expansion of power on the democratic framework of the country – particularly on the freedom of speech and expression (in other words, the freedom of press).

It is hard to believe that the ruling will misuse the situation. At the same time, considering its recent records, it is not easy to believe it will not misuse it either.


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