US Economy Abruptly Slowing Adding Only 235,000 Jobs
U.S. President Joe Biden suffered another setback Friday as latest data showed the economy slowing abruptly last month, adding only 235,000 jobs.
covid-19
DIA leads on lab leak theory
The 17 agencies that make up the U.S. intelligence community remain divided on how the virus behind the COVID-19 pandemic originated, but the Defense Intelligence Agency is the most forward-leaning among the spy services in asserting that the virus most likely began inside a Chinese laboratory, according to U.S. intelligence sources.
Florida: ‘$5,000 Fines For Demanding COVID Jabs’
The U.S. State of Florida confirmed Thursday it would impose $5,000 fines on businesses, schools, and government agencies that demand people to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination.
Italy may eventually make COVID vaccine shots compulsory for all, Draghi says
Italy may eventually make COVID-19 inoculations compulsory for everyone of eligible age, and plans to start administering booster vaccine shots later this month to vulnerable people, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said on Thursday.
Majority of companies plan to issue COVID vaccine mandate for employees
A new survey by advisory firm Willis Towers Watson shows that more than half of US companies are planning some kind of COVID-19 vaccine mandate for their employees by the end of the year, ABC News reports. The survey was carried out last month, amid the surge of the more contagious delta variant.
WHO tracking new ‘mu’ coronavirus variant
The agency added the mu variant to its list of “variants of interest” on Monday. The mu variant “has a constellation of mutations that indicate potential properties of immune escape,” the WHO said in its weekly bulletin.
UN Study: Weather Disasters Increased Fivefold in Last 50 Years
A new report released Wednesday by the United Nations indicates extreme weather events have increased fivefold over the past 50 years, while the number of fatalities related to those events has dropped.
Hurricane Ida: Millions without power in New Orleans and southern Louisiana amid high temperatures
Millions of residents of New Orleans and southern Louisiana struggling to cope without power after Hurricane Ida slammed into their region, may have to wait up to 30 days for electricity to be restored, Voice of America (VOA) reports.
EU reaches summer goal of 70% of adults getting COVID-19 vaccine
The European Union said it reached its goal of getting 70% of adults fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before the end of summer.
California church that refused to close for COVID gets $800,000 from state, county to settle suit
The state of California and Los Angeles County are each paying $400,000 to end litigation by Grace Community Church alleging that COVID-19 restrictions on in-person worship infringed on its constitutional right to religious freedom.
Israel registers almost 11,000 COVID cases, marking new record
Israel registered close to 11,000 COVID-19 cases on Monday, the Health Ministry reported Tuesday, marking a new record since the start of the pandemic.
WHO Seeks Global Digital Vaccination System
The World Health Organization (WHO) says its member states should roll out a universal digital information system to check if people are vaccinated against COVID-19.
US to be removed from EU travel ‘safe list’
The European Union is reportedly planning to recommend that its member nations reinstate restrictions on travelers from the U.S. due to the rising level of COVID-19 infections.
U.S. Supreme Court hands Biden another loss, strikes down eviction moratorium
The Supreme Court blocked the Biden administration’s COVID-19 eviction moratorium, allowing evictions to resume.
Roughly one-third of U.S. population had COVID-19 by the end of 2020, new study
Roughly one-third of the U.S. population had been infected by the coronavirus by the end of 2020, according to a new study that appears to show how widespread but underreported the virus was.
Australian church fined US $36,000 for COVID-19 breaches
The Christ Embassy at Blacktown congregation in Sydney, Australia has been fined nearly AUS $50,000 (USD $36,000) for breaching public COVID-19 orders on two occasions, ABC.Au reports.
New YouTube Community Guidelines Censor Prayer and Faith Concerning COVID-19
According to Western Journal, YouTube has issued new “community guidelines” that will prevent YouTubers from posting videos suggesting that anyone should pray about COVID rather than seeking medical attention.
China Warns Of Counterattack Against Those Questioning Coronavirus Origins
China warned Wednesday it would retaliate with “a counterattack” against those questioning whether the coronavirus leaked from its labs after U.S. President Joe Biden indicated he would make public findings of an intelligence investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.
China Businessmen Jailed After Selling Audio Bibles, Christian Symbols Removed
China’s communist authorities have jailed four Christian businessmen for selling audio Bibles amid a government crackdown on Christians engaged in “illegal” faith-related activities, trial observers told Worthy News.
Pentagon orders all U.S. military troops get vaccinated for COVID-19
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Wednesday ordered all U.S. service members be vaccinated immediately for COVID-19.