California Allows Limited Reopening for Churches Days After Interventions by US State Department and President Trump

The state of California issued guidelines Monday under which houses of worship may reopen. The Department of Health guidelines were published even though the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Friday that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s COVID-19 ban on public gatherings could stand. The decision to allow churches to reopen also follows interventions last week by the US State Department, which specified that California’s ban on church gatherings was unfair, and by President Trump, who called on all states to lift bans on religious assemblies.

China Warns US As Tensions Escalate to the “Brink of a New Cold War”

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said Sunday that American officials are endangering world peace by attempting to push the US and China “to the brink of a new cold war,” Time reports. Amid rising tensions between the two countries on a range of issues, including China’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, last week the US Senate unanimously passed a bill that could prevent some Chinese companies from being listed on American stock exchanges.

Republican Groups File Suit Against California Governor, Claiming His Vote-By-Mail Executive Order is Unlawful

Republican groups filed a lawsuit against California Governor Gavin Newsom Sunday, challenging his executive order that all state registered voters can vote by mail in November’s General Election, CBS news reports. The Republican National Party, the National Republican Congressional Committee and the California Republican Party launched the case in the District Court for Eastern California, claiming that Newsom’s order was issued in “a direct usurpation of the legislature’s authority.”

No Limits on US – Russia Nuclear Arms if Trump Does Not Renew Expiring Reduction Treaty

The world will be left with no restrictions on US and Russian nuclear weapons unless President Donald Trump extends the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) before it expires on February 5 next year, Defense News reports. Signed by the two countries in 2010, the nuclear arms reduction treaty limits the number of long-range nuclear warheads and launchers America and Russia can have.

Hong Kong Police Breakup Pro-Democracy Protests

Smoke and screams of panicked people filled central Hong Kong on Sunday as security forces fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators.

Chechen Leader Hospitalized With COVID-19

There was mounting uncertainty Saturday over the health of Chechen autocratic leader Ramzan Kadyrov after conflicting reports over whether he suffers from the coronavirus disease COVID-19.

Trump ‘Orders’ U.S. States To Reopen Churches

Tensions were rising Saturday after U.S. President Donald Trump demanded that states allow churches and other houses of worship to reopen from stay-at-home restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic. Saying America needed more prayer, Trump threatened to override governors’ orders though he faced constitutional limits to enforce these policies.

US Scientists Breed Mouse-Human Chimera

Scientists at the University at Buffalo and the Roswell Park Cancer Institute have bred a new chimera made up of mouse cells and human stem cells, Popular Mechanics reports. Chimeras are living things made up of genetically different tissues, in this case, mouse and human. Chimeras are considered medically important as scientists believe they hold the potential of growing human organs inside animals and thereby shortening waiting lists for organ transplants.

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