Israelis protest medical state clamp-down as leaders enter quarantine
Protestors in Jaffa, Israel joined with a young man Wednesday who was accosted by police for defying government orders to not depart more than 328 feet from his home.
coronavirus
Pastors maintaining the right to meet in person face increased pressure from state governments
Pastors refusing to comply with coronavirus regulations effectively shuttering churches are facing increased harassment from state authorities, with New York City Mayor Bill De Blasio even threatening to permanently close churches and synagogues that defy social distancing orders.
US on track to build 400-450 miles of border wall by end of year
The US is well on track to build 400-450 miles of wall along its south-western border by the end of the calendar year, said Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf at a news conference with President Trump Wednesday.
Israel’s health minister tests positive for coronavirus
Israel’s most senior Health Minister has tested positive for coronavirus, government officials confirmed Thursday. Yaakov Litzman has entered isolation together with his wife, who also tested positive. Litzman is part of Israel’s ultra-Orthodox community which, according to unofficial figures cited by Israeli TV channels Sunday, make up half the country’s hospitalized coronavirus patients.
Hezbollah accused of bringing coronavirus to Lebanon
The Iran-backed Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon has been accused of helping to bring coronavirus to the nation. Opponents of the powerful group point out that Lebanon took three weeks to block flights from Iran, after a woman who had just returned from there tested coronavirus positive on February 20. Hezbollah is accused of causing the delay to ensure its supporters could return home. Denying the claims, Hezbollah is trying to show the Lebanon Shiite community that it is working to protect them from the outbreak.
Morgan Stanley: ‘World Facing Deep Global Recession’
The world’s largest investment bank and financial services company warns of a “deep global recession” due to the new coronavirus pandemic. New York-based Morgan Stanley says worldwide economic growth could slow by as much as 0.9 percent this year. “[The virus] COVID-19 is at once a human tragedy and unparalleled synchronous shock, affecting both the demand and supply sides of the global economy,” writes Morgan Stanley chief economist Chetan Ahya in a note.
Study Shows Even Non-Religious Americans Are Turning to Prayer as a Result of COVID-19
A new poll from Pew Research Center reveals that the COVID-19 outbreak is changing Americans’ religious habits, drawing more people to the power of prayer.
U.S. manufacturing contracts; private payrolls post first drop since 2017
U.S. manufacturing activity contracted less than expected in March, but disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic pushed new orders received by factories to an 11-year low, reinforcing economists’ views that the economy was in recession.
1.5 Million Israelis Using Voluntary Coronavirus Monitoring App
Around 1.5 million Israelis have downloaded a mobile app in the past week that alerts users who have crossed paths with a coronavirus patient, according to the Health Ministry, helping to improve tracking of the pandemic.
Israel Tests New 3D-Printed Tech That Can Make Medical Masks Stronger Against COVID-19
As Israelis scramble for ways to protect themselves from the deadly coronavirus, some doctors will begin testing a new method of defense against COVID-19.
Pastor Charged for Holding Services Amid Coronavirus Lockdown
The pastor of a Louisiana church was charged Tuesday with defying state efforts to curtail the coronavirus outbreak. Tony Spell of the Life Tabernacle Church near Baton Rouge faces six counts of misdemeanor for holding services in violation of state-wide orders to stay home and to limit essential gatherings to 10 persons. Spell has said the government is infringing on the right to religion and that he will continue to hold services.
US rushes to build makeshift hospitals as coronavirus death toll rises
The US government rushed to set up make-shift hospitals on Tuesday as over 850 people died from coronavirus, the highest number in a single day. Hundreds of hospitals are being built close to major cities to help local health care systems struggling at maximum capacity and beyond, Reuters reported.
Dutch Daily: ‘World Searching For Leader Amid Coronacrisis’
With roughly half the world in lockdown and many politicians weak or ill, the largest Dutch daily concludes in a headline: “World searching for LEADER.” De Telegraaf (The Telegraph) also expresses that “Nobody takes the lead in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.” Its commentator, Frank van Vliet, complained: “While the world is on fire, international politicians are running in one direction to put out their fire. No leader has taken the lead, and solidarity is lacking. They did not read author Alexander Dumas’ Three Musketeers because “one for all and all for one” has been replaced by “own people first.”
Millions of US Workers Losing Jobs as Coronavirus Spreads
Millions of U.S. workers are losing their jobs in a surge of layoffs as businesses large and small shut their operations amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Trump advocates for $2 trillion infrastructure bill as ‘Phase 4’ coronavirus relief package
President Trump pushed Congress to adopt ‘very big and bold’ infrastructure investments in future legislation to combat the coronavirus.
S&P 500 heads for worst first quarter since 1938
U.S. stock markets steadied on Tuesday at the end of the worst first quarter for the S&P 500 since 1938 amid growing evidence of the largescale damage caused by the collapse in oil prices and business activity due to the coronavirus.
Messianic expectations of Jews and Muslims become one — Bible points to a false Jesus they and others will accept
The messianic expectations of Muslim and Jewish leaders are dovetailing, with many scholars from each camp agreeing that coronavirus is the harbinger of a divine figure who will arrive as a king in the midst of pandemics and economic crises.
Four Christian aid workers kidnapped in Iraq have been released
It is confirmed that four French Christian aid workers have been freed after they were kidnapped in Iraq in January. A statement from President Marcron’s office on March 27 informed that the Élysée Palace had made ‘every effort to reach this outcome.’ The statement thanked Iraqi authorities for their cooperation but gave no details or information about any conditions of the workers’ release.
Newly established US Space Force launches first security mission
The recently established United States Space Force has launched its first national security space mission. Amidst precautions pertaining to the coronavirus pandemic, a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket carrying a Lockheed Martin Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF-6) satellite took off from Cape Canaveral on 26 March.
Chinese researchers isolated deadly bat coronaviruses near Wuhan animal market
Chinese government researchers isolated more than 2,000 animal viruses, including deadly bat coronaviruses, and carried out scientific work on them just three miles from a wild animal market identified as the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic.