USCIRF Recommends Special Watch Status for Sri Lanka

The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) on Jun. 27 issued a report recommending that the US State Department designate Sri Lanka as a Special Watch List country in 2023 and 2024, International Christian Concern (ICC) reports.

Iowa Supreme Court Allows Ban on Abortion at Six-Weeks

Iowa’s Supreme Court ruled last week that the state can implement its new “heartbeat law” which bans abortion at six weeks gestation is constitutional and may take effect. The law had been temporarily blocked following a legal challenge by abortion provider Planned Parenthood.

White House Highlights Biden-Netanyahu Iran Dispute as Proof of President’s Mental Fitness

White House aides cited President Joe Biden’s sharp exchanges with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in response to Iran’s recent attack on Israel as proof of his mental fitness and effective leadership according to the New York Times. President Biden’s mental fitness has faced scrutiny since the June 27 presidential debate with former President Donald Trump, where critics questioned Biden’s mental sharpness.

Presbyterian Church (USA) Votes to Divest from Israel Bonds, Denounces Christian Zionism

A long-time harsh critic of Israel and its policies toward Palestinians, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) on Monday, July 1 voted unanimously to divest from Israel bonds and called on pertinent US companies to stop trading with Israel, the Religion News Service (RNS) reports. With one million members and 8,000 churches, the Presbyterian Church (USA) is the largest Presbyterian denomination in the US.

US Paying Moderna $176 Million For Bird Flu Jab

The United States said Tuesday it would pay vaccine maker Moderna, known for COVID-19 jabs, $176 million to accelerate developing “a pandemic influenza vaccine” to treat bird flu in people.

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