Iraq COVID-19 Hospital Fire Kills Dozens
Dozens of people have died after a fire erupted in the coronavirus isolation ward at an Iraqi hospital, the second such deadly inferno at a COVID -19 unit in Iraq in three months, officials said.
virus
Cuba Detains Christian Leaders As Thousands Protest Against Communists
Christian leaders are among those detained in Cuba amid “unprecedented” protests against the island’s Communist rulers, investigators told Worthy News.
WHO Recommends Global Gene Editing Database
The World Health Organization is recommending the creation of a global database to track “any form of genetic manipulation,” with the goal of preventing unscrupulous or dangerous experimentation.
HHS Secretary Becerra: ‘Absolutely the government’s business’ to know which Americans haven’t been vaccinated
Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra said Thursday it was “absolutely the government’s business” to know which Americans haven’t been vaccinated yet against the coronavirus.
Israel recommends third shot – ahead of Pfizer approval for emergency use
Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz has already recommended that people with a compromised immune system get a third COVID shot. His decision comes ahead of approval for Pfizer’s request from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for emergency authorization as a booster for protection against the delta variant.
Zimbabwe is latest African country to reject batch of COVID-19 vaccine doses
Following in the steps of African countries Malawi and DRC Congo in rejecting batches of COVID-19 vaccine doses, Zimbabwe has refused an African Union donation of three million Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses, NewZimbabwe reported on July 5.
Pfizer to seek US authorization for 3rd vaccine dose; shots still protect
Pfizer is about to seek U.S. authorization for a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine, saying Thursday that another shot within 12 months could dramatically boost immunity and maybe help ward off the latest worrisome coronavirus mutant.
Haiti President Killed At 53, Plunging Impoverished Nation Into Uncertainty
Gunmen assassinated Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse and wounded his wife in an overnight raid on their home Wednesday, when the impoverished Caribbean country already endured gang violence, including kidnappings of church leaders and others.
Global Computer Attack By Suspected Russia Hackers
A Russia-linked crime group that attacked computer systems of companies worldwide has demanded $70 million paid in bitcoins to restore access.
Poll: Over 25% of US churchgoers plan to stay away from in-person services
A new AP-NORC poll shows that over 25% of US adults who attended a church, mosque, or synagogue prior to the coronavirus pandemic have no plans to return to in-person services at this time, Christian Headlines reports. The survey was carried out from June 10–14 with 1,125 adults across the US and a margin of error of +/- 4.2 percentage points.
Bennett: If infection rate keeps rising, we will consider reinstating ‘Green Pass’
At the weekly cabinet meeting Sunday, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said that due to the recent spike in coronavirus infections, the government was considering reinstating some aspects of the so-called Green Pass system that differentiates between vaccinated and unvaccinated Israelis in terms of access to certain venues and activities.
Israel confirms vaccine less effective against Delta variant, eyes third dose
Israel’s Health Ministry released data on Monday showing that the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine appears to largely prevent hospitalization and serious cases, but is significantly less effective against preventing the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus.
Indonesia Christians Appeal for Food, Medical Supplies
Christians in impoverished parts of Indonesia appeal for food and essential hospital equipment as the second wave of COVID-19 engulfs the world’s largest Muslim nation, aid workers say.
Wuhan virologist who worked on bat coronaviruses tied to military scientists, report says
A top Chinese virologist has been tied to at least two Chinese military scientists who collaborated with her on coronavirus research in the past, including one now listed as deceased, a report Tuesday said.
Israel may reinstitute ‘green pass’ as COVID cases rise
As COVID cases in Israel are rising again, and in light of the possible impact the new, highly contagious Delta variant may have in the country, Israeli health officials are considering reinstituting the “green pass” system that allows only those who have been vaccinated to attend indoor public spaces like restaurants, All Israel News reported on July 1. Israel has already reimposed the indoor mask mandate that was lifted just a few weeks ago.
Ayelet Shaked: If coronavirus cases increase, flights will stop
If coronavirus morbidity was to dramatically increase, the possibility of closing the airport might be on the table again, Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked said on Wednesday at Ben-Gurion Airport, as Israel registered almost 300 cases for the second day in a row.
Sen. Rand Paul slams delta variant ‘fear mongers,’ citing .08% death rate within unvaccinated group
Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul is telling Twitter followers to not let the ‘fearmongers’ win, amid growing concerns about the newest delta variant of the coronavirus.
Moscow Imposing New Restrictions As Coronavirus Infections Surge
Russia’s capital is imposing new restrictions amid the surge of new coronavirus infections. The measures in Moscow come as elsewhere in Eastern Europe and the Balkans countries race to vaccinate their populations.
Israeli ‘GPS’ nano-drug targeting inflamed cells may replace antibody treatments
In a development that may eventually replace antibody therapeutics for humans, Israeli scientists have produced a “GPS-guided” nanoparticle drug that can precisely target inflamed unhealthy cells in mice without affecting surrounding healthy immune cells, the Times of Israel reports. Researchers say the drug may be ready for human trials within two years.
100,000 at Tel Aviv Pride Parade, Israel’s largest event since start of COVID
Police said they arrested roughly 50 suspects while securing Friday’s Pride Parade in Tel Aviv, including several who allegedly sought to harm the tens of thousands of revelers at the mass festival.