71% of churches meeting for in-person worship, study finds
For most U.S. congregations, in-person worship has returned to mid-March levels despite a nationwide rise in coronavirus cases, a new report says.
coronavirus
More than a thousand gather for religious service on California beach after church closures
More than a thousand people gathered on a beach in California to hold a worship service while churches are closed over coronavirus concerns.
New poll shows global lack of confidence in government handling of COVID-19
A new survey has shown that citizens around the world are losing confidence in their governments over their handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Yahoo News reports. Publishing their report on Saturday, Kekst CNC communications consultancy said: “In most countries this month, support for national governments is falling.” The survey came as officials reported over 280,000 daily new cases worldwide on both Thursday and Friday.
Supreme Court rules against Nevada church suing over restrictions during pandemic
The Supreme Court ruled against a Nevada church that was seeking to overturn the state’s mandatory cap on attendance because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Shin Bet said to have secretly tracked most Israelis’ phones for over 2.5 years
Long before the coronavirus outbreak, the Shin Bet security service was secretly tracking Israelis’ cellphones in a clandestine program to fight the Islamic State terror group that lasted for at least two and a half years, and may still be ongoing, according to a television report Sunday.
California Christians take to the streets to minister the Gospel as indoor services are banned
While some California Christian leaders have filed lawsuits because state coronavirus measures ban indoor church services, others have seen their congregations grow dramatically in size as Gospel ministry has been forced out of buildings, CBN News reports.
80 Journalists Resign From Hungary’s Leading News Site
Some 80 journalists have resigned from Hungary’s leading news website Index.hu amid mounting government pressure on independent and critical media.
Trump and Putin talk on phone about arms control and COVID-19 economic recovery
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone Thursday and discussed arms control and economic recovery in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the Washington Times reports. Although this is the first time the two leaders have talked since allegations emerged that Russia had offered bounties for Afghan militants to kill US soldiers, neither the White House nor the Kremlin made mention of this issue in their statements about the call.
Europe On Edge Amid Rise Of Coronavirus Infections
Spain and several other European nations are taking new measures to halt an increase in reported coronavirus cases. The decisions come amid fresh warnings by authorities of a widespread “second wave” of infections.
US-Canada border to remain closed for another month
Because of the number of COVID-19 cases in the US, American and Canadian officials have agreed to keep the border between the two nations closed to all except commercial and essential traffic for another month. Two recent surveys have shown that a large majority of Canadians support the continued closure of the border, VOA News reported Tuesday.
Americans’ Bible engagement dramatically declining amid COVID-19: survey
The coronavirus pandemic has affected Americans’ Bible engagement, with the number of U.S. adults who read Scripture declining drastically amid the outbreak, a recent study found.
Trump, Putin discuss arms control, Iran nukes in phone call
President Trump spoke by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday about arms control and recovering their economies from the coronavirus pandemic.
Russian Court Fines Virus-Denying Priest
A Russian court has fined an influential priest for publicly denying the existence of the new coronavirus and urging his followers to ignore government ordered lockdowns.
GOP coronavirus package will provide new stimulus checks and $105B to open schools
Senate Republicans are crafting a new coronavirus aid package that will provide more than $100 billion to open schools, new aid for small businesses, and another round of direct payments to individuals and families, Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday.
California churches sue Governor over COVID-19 ban on indoor services
A group of California churches filed a lawsuit against Gov. Gavin Newsom Friday because state COVID-19 lockdown orders prohibit indoor services, even while people are allowed to gather in ongoing racial injustice protests, Fox News reports.
EU Agrees On Coronavirus Fund After Disputes
Leaders of the European Union have agreed on an unprecedented 1.82 trillion euro ($2.1 trillion) budget and coronavirus recovery fund after tense negotiations that included table banging and meeting walkouts.
U.S. congressional Democrats, White House to meet on coronavirus aid
Advisers to President Donald Trump and congressional Democrats were set to discuss the next steps in responding to the coronavirus crisis on Tuesday, with congressional Republicans saying they were working on a $1 trillion relief bill.
Israel to remain closed to foreign visitors until at least September
Restrictions preventing foreign visitors from entering the country due to the coronavirus pandemic will be extended until the beginning of September, the Israel Airports Authority announced Monday.
GOP signals Trump’s payroll-tax cut in Republican coronavirus bill — for now
Top administration officials signaled on Monday night that a payroll-tax cut, a top priority for President Trump, is in the forthcoming Republican coronavirus aid proposal, at least for now.
EU Leaders Continue Corona Talks Amid Abuse and Table Banging
Leaders of the 27 European Union nations are trying to agree on a massive EU coronavirus recovery fund and a budget amid reports of quarrels. As talks entered their fourth day, there was some hope of a breakthrough. However, the European Union delegates appeared weary and even bleary as they began another round of fighting over an unprecedented 1.85 trillion-euro ($2.1 trillion) EU budget.