Germany Condemns Storming of Parliament At Anti-Corona Protest
Germany’s government has condemned attempts by activists of a massive protest against Coronavirus restrictions to storm the nation’s parliament building.
covid-19
Hundreds of Migrants Stuck At Mediterranean Sea
Hundreds of migrants fleeing war, persecution, and poverty are stuck at rescue ships in the Mediterranean as European nations refuse them entry.
Research group says one in five churches may close in next 18 months
A Christian research organization has said that one in five churches could close permanently because of COVID-19 shutdowns, the Christian Post reports. According to David Kinnaman, president of the Barna research organization, many churches have seen far fewer people attending since loosened lockdowns, compared to pre-pandemic attendance.
Justice Department requests COVID-19 data from four states which required nursing homes to accept people with coronavirus
The Justice Department has requested COVID-19 data from the governors of four Democratic-run states that the government says may have caused thousands of deaths in nursing homes, Just the News reports. The department said in a statement that the requests “are not accusations of fault or wrongdoing by the states or any other individual or entity, and the department has not reached any conclusions about these matters.”
Kentucky offers a $3 million high-tech virtual reality experience which takes visitors back to the time of Noah and the Ark
Visitors to the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, Kentucky can now go back to the time of Noah and the Ark through a new high-tech $3 million virtual reality experience known as the ‘Truth Traveler,’ CBN News reports. Over a million people a year have visited the Ark Encounter, which features a massive stationary ship built according to Bible specifications.
Federal judge rules against Christian schools asking to reopen amid COVID-19 restrictions
A federal judge in Oregon ruled against three Christian schools last Thursday, deciding that current state COVID-19 restrictions on in-person learning are constitutional, the Christian Post reports. The schools claimed Gov. Kate Brown’s coronavirus executive order violates First Amendment rights of institutions to have in-person classes.
New poll finds most pastors are concerned about young people in their church
A new study shows that 85% of pastors are very worried that youth and young adults in their church are spending too much time watching screens on electronic devices, CBN News reported Monday. The poll was released by the Barna Group, and aimed to examine how pastors should disciple young people affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Around 86% of churches that responded said they were concerned about their young people having increased online access, but have no strategy to manage the situation.
Frightened people contact former transgender drug dealer asking for prayer during COVID-19 crisis
Nichol Collins had been a drug dealer and was living a transgender lifestyle for 20 years when she had a transformative encounter with Jesus Christ, became a Christian, and began praying for people both inside and outside the LGBTQ community, CBN News reports. Having been in ministry in recent years, Ms Collins began getting an increased number of calls from people needing spiritual help during the COVID-19 crisis.
Jesus 2020 Campaign
As the Republicans and Democrats gear up for November’s presidential election, thousands of Americans are opting out of the partisan mud-sling and are putting up “Jesus 2020” signs in their yards, Fox News reports.
Trump: FDA approves ‘powerful’ new treatment for COVID-19
President Donald Trump announced Sunday a new therapeutic that helps treat many individuals who have contracted COVID-19.
Los Angeles County requests John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church to be fined and held in contempt of court
Los Angeles County filed a request Wednesday for John MacArthur’s Grace Community Church to be held in contempt of court and to be fined $20,000, CBN News reports. The complaint comes after the church held three indoor services on Sunday, in defiance of COVID-19 restrictions.
World Bank Chief: COVID May Have Pushed 100M Into Extreme Poverty
The coronavirus pandemic may have driven as many as 100 million people back into extreme poverty, World Bank President David Malpass warned Thursday.
Low TV viewer turnout for first night of 2020 Democratic convention
The first night of the virtual Democratic National Convention (DNC), which had been moved online due to COVID-19 concerns, has been described as a “media disaster.” TV viewership of Monday night’s event was reportedly down at least 25% from the live DNC convention of 2016.
Japan’s economy suffers sharpest contraction since 2008 financial crisis
Japan’s economy has suffered its strongest contraction, shrinking an annualized 27.8% in April-June amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Reuters reported Monday. This was steeper than the worse decline suffered in the 2008 financial crisis.
Milwaukee DNC opens with little fanfare; online speakers to focus on race, coronavirus
Milwaukee’s Democratic National Convention is opening to the kind of lackluster reception that, during the COVID-19 pandemic, was entirely predictable.
‘We’re going to have huge problems’: U.S. general warns of long-term ISIS resurgence
The Pentagon’s top general in the Middle East warned Wednesday that the U.S. is “going to have huge problems” with a massive Islamic State resurgence over the coming decade without a sweeping new international plan to de-radicalize young men and women across the Middle East.
DA declares California’s San Luis Obispo is a “sanctuary county” for worship gatherings
The central California county of San Luis Obispo has been declared a sanctuary for churches wanting to hold indoor services with singing amid COVID-19 concerns, the Christian Post reports. County District Attorney Dan Dow confirmed at the end of July that churches will not be prosecuted for going against state coronavirus restrictions on worship gatherings.
Russia Claims World’s First Coronavirus Vaccine
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Tuesday that his nation had registered the world’s first coronavirus vaccine despite international skepticism.
Evangelical colleges cut over 230 staff positions due to financial concerns
Citing continuing financial concerns, evangelical colleges and universities around the country have canceled over 230 faculty and staff positions as they head into the fall semester, Christianity Today reports. More than 150 positions were eliminated in the spring and dozens more were cut over the summer.
California pastor holds services for 1,000 people in defiance of COVID-19 court order
Defying a California court order issued amid coronavirus concerns, the leader of Godspeak Calvary Chapel, Ventura County held indoor church services for around 1,000 people on Sunday, the Washington Examiner reports. Prior to holding the services, Pastor Rob McCoy described the county rules on indoor services as “draconian” and stated that no one in his church was infected with COVID-19.