U.S. Oil Futures Plunge To Below $0 For First Time
U.S. crude oil futures plunged to a historic low of below $0 on Monday. Desperate traders paid to get rid of that fossil fuel amid a coronavirus-induced lack of global demand.
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Federal judge allows Kansas churches exemption from 10-person limit on gatherings
A federal judge in Kansas issued a temporary restraining order Saturday, giving churches exemption from Democrat Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order banning gatherings of more than 10 people. The governor’s order was issued on March 23 to slow the spread of COVID-19, but was not extended to houses of worship until just before Easter as the virus infection rate climbed to a projected peak.
Atheist group awarded over $450,000 in South Carolina lawsuit against prayer at high school graduation
A South Carolina federal judge has awarded an atheist group over $450,000 in attorney’s fees and expenses after it filed a lawsuit to block public prayer at high school graduations, Christian Headlines reports. The award follows a finding last year that there should be limits to student-led prayers at graduation ceremonies. Given on April 14, the award is in respect of legal action initiated by the American Humanist Association (AHA) against Greenville County Schools in 2013. The suit was on behalf of the parents of a pupil who objected to students leading prayer at a graduation ceremony.
Trump hints at Monday resolution for latest coronavirus relief package
President Donald Trump said Sunday negotiations with Democrats continue on another coronavirus relief package to replenish funding for small business loans, also known as the Paycheck Protection Program.
As Washington DC Faces Coronavirus Spike, Secret Military Task Force Prepares to Secure the Capital
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser yesterday ordered a one-month extension of the state of emergency, as cases in the region grow at a rapid pace. Federal officials in the nation’s capital expect a New York-like epidemic in the District, Maryland and Virginia, one that could potentially cripple the government.
President Trump Asks States To Reopen By May 1
U.S. President Donald Trump has told governors that some could begin reopening their states by May 1 or earlier if they wanted despite ongoing coronavirus infections, according to audio recordings distributed Thursday.
Americans Protest U.S. Lockdown
Protests continue in the United States against the perceived ‘tyrannical’ lockdown orders to halt the coronavirus pandemic. In Richmond, Virginia, dozens of people gathered outside the state legislature Thursday in defiance of stay-at-home rules, which the governor instituted until June 10. ‘STOP the MADNESS! It’s just a COLD VIRUS! End the shutdown for the GOOD of U.S. all!’ read one sign.
Survey finds nearly half of US adults believe the Bible should influence laws
The results of a new survey published on Monday show nearly half of adult Americans believe the Bible should influence laws, the Christian Post reports. Carried out by the Pew Research Center, the survey found 49% of respondents think the Bible should have “some” or a “great deal” of influence on national legislation. Of these, 28% thought the Bible should have precedence over the will of the people.
Trump: Thursday will be ‘big day’ in decisions regarding reopening U.S. economy
President Donald Trump said Wednesday that some big decisions will be announced Thursday about how parts of the U.S. economy will begin to reopen after stay-at-home orders closed businesses and led to millions of lost jobs across the country.
U.S. Supreme Court to hear oral arguments by phone for first time in history
The U.S. Supreme Court announced that it will hear oral arguments by telephone for the first time since it first convened in 1790.
U.S. Attorney General Condemns Ban On Drive-In Churches
America’s top law enforcer has warned state and local government officials against targeting the faithful amid distancing and lockdown measures to combat the new coronavirus pandemic. Attorney General Bill Barr said his Department of Justice condemns cases such as in the U.S. State of Mississippi where worshipers were fined for attending drive-in church service.
Appeals Court rules medication abortions allowed in Texas during ban on non-essential medical procedures
Texas abortion providers can continue to offer pill-based abortions during a state order banning non-essential medical procedures, Freebeacon.com reports. The order, given by Texas governor Greg Abbott (R) on March 22, was issued in an effort to conserve hospital beds and medical supplies for coronavirus patients.
Evangelicals Pressure Trump To Release Detainees
U.S. President Donald Trump has come under evangelical pressure to release people from immigration detention centers amid concerns the new coronavirus will spread in the overcrowded facilities. Nine leaders of evangelical groups urged the Trump administration to release those “who do not pose a threat to public safety” during the coronavirus pandemic.
US coronavirus deaths set single-day record increase
US coronavirus deaths rose by at least 2,228 on Tuesday, a single-day record, to top 28,300, according to a Reuters tally, as officials debated how to reopen the economy without reigniting the outbreak.
Civil Liberties organization demands end to religious discrimination in department of Housing and Urban Development
The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) filed an official public comment with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Monday in a continued effort to ensure religious groups are not discriminated against by authorities. The Center is also sending a demand letter to a specific HUD property management company after residents at one of their housing complexes alerted that all Bibles and religious materials had been confiscated.
New Virginia law allows transgender men to use ladies’ rooms in all places open to the public
A new law signed by Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Friday has the effect of prohibiting any place or business that is open to the public from denying transgender biological males access to ladies’ bathrooms, locker rooms or dressing rooms.
Watchdog Report: Debt will exceed U.S. economy in 2020
Debt held by the public will exceed the size of the U.S. economy by the end of fiscal 2020, a watchdog said Monday.
Tornadoes in Southern U.S. kill 26 people, head toward northeast
Deadly tornadoes tore through the Southern U.S. on Sunday and Monday, killing 26 people and trapping a handful of people in their homes in South Carolina.
Kansas Supreme Court rules in favor of Governor’s executive order limiting religious services to 10 people
The Kansas Supreme Court has ruled in favor of Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly’s executive order limiting religious services to 10 people, the Washington Examiner reports. Referring to the coronavirus outbreak that prompted the order, the Court said Saturday: “We agreed to expedite these proceedings due to the nature of the public health emergency all agree is present.”
Planned Parenthood California supporting bill to block health insurance companies from informing parents about their child’s abortion or transgender treatment
Planned Parenthood of California is supporting a bill that would prevent health insurance companies from giving parents information about “sensitive” medical procedures received by young adult or minor children listed on their same policy. “Sensitive services” would include abortions and certain transgender treatments and sex-change operations, among various others. The California Family Council (CFC) has advised concerned residents to contact the office of Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson (D), who is sponsoring the bill.