Microsoft Founder Bill Gates and Wife Divorce
Microsoft founder Bill Gates says he and his wife Melinda are splitting up after 27 years of marriage.
covid-19
Europe Facing Social Turmoil Over COVID-19 Pandemic
Pope Francis prayed for the end of the pandemic amid mounting social turmoil in Europe about COVID-19 restrictions. His prayers in St. Peter’s Basilica and call for “a horizon of hope” came as in Belgium’s capital Brussels police said they detained more than 130 people at an “illegal” party.
Denmark Removes J&J from Vaccination Program Over Clot Fears
Denmark removed the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 shot from its vaccination program to investigate reports of rare but potentially dangerous blood clots, health authorities said Monday.
China nuclear buildup faster than expected, U.S. now believes
China’s military is advancing its nuclear arsenal and delivery systems so fast the Defense Intelligence Agency has had to move up its estimate of when Beijing will double its warhead stockpile, the general in charge of military intelligence told Congress on Thursday.
Dozens Killed In Israel As Grandstand Collapses At Jewish Festival
Authorities say they fear dozens have died after a grandstand collapsed at a large gathering to celebrate the Lag B’Omer Jewish festival at Mount Meron.
Iran: One Christian released from prison, four more detained
While Christian convert Majidreza Souzanchi was released from Iran’s Greater Tehran Penitentiary on April 8, four other Christians were arrested and detained by Iranian intelligence officials on April 19, International Christian Persecution reports. Iran currently ranks 8 on the Open Doors Watch List of countries where Christians are persecuted for their faith.
Vaccine passports gain traction in Democratic places and bans in red states
Vaccine passports, or documents that show a person’s COVID-19 vaccination status, have been touted in Democratic-run states as tools for reviving commerce and tourism, while they’ve been outright banned in several red states. The Biden administration, meanwhile, has ruled out a federal vaccine passport mandate, citing privacy concerns.
Federal Reserve Holds Rates Steady, Shrugs Off Inflation Concerns
The Federal Reserve kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged Wednesday and repeated its view that the coronavirus pandemic will continue to weigh on the domestic economy even as conditions continue to improve.
US Easing Mask Wearing Guidelines
Amid mounting public pressure, the U.S. leading health authority eased guidelines on wearing masks outdoors. In remarks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said fully vaccinated Americans don’t need to cover their faces anymore unless they are in a big crowd of strangers.
Indiana law: House of Worship are “essential”
Indiana’s Governor Eric Holcomb (R) has signed a new law determining that houses of worship provide essential services, and no restrictions may be placed on them during a declared emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
New U.S. COVID cases fall sharply last week, deaths lowest since October
New cases of COVID-19 in the United States fell 16% last week to about 409,000, the biggest percentage drop in weekly new cases since February, according to a Reuters analysis of state and county data.
China nixed meeting on biowarfare concerns as coronavirus queries increased
China canceled an online meeting with American officials last year to discuss mounting concerns regarding secret Chinese biological weapons work in possible violation of an international treaty, according to a new report.
Dozens Die As Blaze Hits Baghdad COVID Hospital
Anxious families searched for relatives in Baghdad after the death toll of a weekend fire at a hospital for coronavirus patients rose to at least 82.
Christian Missionaries Die Of COVID In India
Christian missionaries and church leaders already suffering persecution in several areas are among those dying of severe symptoms of COVID-19 raging in India, aid workers say.
Fully open Texas and Florida reporting fewer COVID cases than Democrat-led Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York
Republican-led states including Texas and Florida are reporting fewer coronavirus cases than Michigan, Pennsylvania and New York — all of which are led by prominent Democrats who refuse to roll back COVID-19 regulations and statewide mask mandates, according to CDC data.
Fully vaccinated US tourists to be allowed into EU this summer
Vaccinated tourists from the United States will be permitted to visit the European Union this summer, according to a European Commission official.
Bill aims to declassify intel of any potential link of COVID origins to Wuhan Institute of Virology
Republican Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Mike Braun of Indiana have introduced legislation to declassify intelligence pertaining to any potential connections between the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the genesis of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Hungary President Supporting COVID Orphans
Hungarian President János Áder and Anita Herczegh, the First Lady, have launched a foundation to help children orphaned by the coronavirus.
‘Medical Apartheid’: 1,200 UK Christian Leaders Warn Vaccine Passports Will Lead to ‘Surveillance State’
More than 1,200 leaders of churches in the United Kingdom have asked Prime Minister Boris Johnson not to establish so-called vaccine passports.
Iran: Christian imprisoned for faith released early with COVID-19; “Please Pray”
MajidReza Souzanchi Kushani, a Christian who was charged and imprisoned in Iran for promoting house churches, was given early release from jail because he caught COVID-19, Christian Response reported Friday. Iran ranks no. 8 on the US World Watch List 2021 of countries that persecute Christians.