Germany’s coronavirus lockdown ‘not responsible’ for pandemic decline, study finds
A new study from a German university found that the country’s COVID-19 infections were already falling prior to each government-mandated lockdown.
Worthy News
U.S. government found no evidence UFOs were alien vehicles: report
U.S. intelligence officials have not uncovered evidence that unidentified aerial phenomena encountered by Navy pilots are alien vehicles, but they are not able to explain the abnormal movements that have confounded scientists and the military, according to administration officials briefed about the findings of a government report.
Burmese military attacks two churches within a week, four refugees killed
The Burmese army attacked two churches in one week in Kayah State, Myanmar, killing four and wounding eight refugees who were sheltering in one of the church’s buildings, International Christian Concern reports. The attacks came amid intense fighting between the military and local resistance groups in the wake of the February 1 coup.
Israeli scientists increase life expectancy of mice, research may eventually translate to humans
Israeli scientists have been able to increase the life expectancy of mice by 23%, and believe this outcome could one day be translatable to humans, the Times of Israel reports. The peer-reviewed research was a collaboration between international scientists, including Prof. Rafael de Cabo from the US National Institutes of Health, and has been published in the journal Nature Communications.
US spy agencies investigating if Putin knew about Russian cyber-attacks on Western targets
US intelligence officials are working to understand whether Russia’s President Vladimir Putin was aware of recent Russian cyberattacks on Western targets, Just the News reports. Some commentators have speculated the attacks were orchestrated by Putin to test US President Joe Biden’s resolve in dealing with Russia.
Texas: Federal judge throws out Planned Parenthood lawsuit effort to block “sanctuary city for the unborn” ordinance
Lubbock in Texas is officially a “sanctuary city for the unborn:” a federal judge has dismissed Planned Parenthood’s lawsuit against Lubbock’s voter-approved ban on abortion, the Christian Post reports. The Planned Parenthood suit was thrown out Tuesday by Judge James Wesley Hendrix of the Northern District of Texas, on the grounds the court “lacks jurisdiction.”
Pakistan Christian Couple On Deathrow Acquitted Of Blasphemy
A Christian husband and wife in Pakistan who faced execution for sending “blasphemous” texts were acquitted of the charges, a well-informed source tells Worthy News.
‘Somaliland Christian Couple Need Prayers As Execution Draws Near’
A detained Christian couple facing potential execution in Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland for leaving Islam and spreading Christianity need prayers as their court hearing was postponed, supporters told Worthy News.
Oregon May Require Proof of Vaccination to Enter Business and Churches without a Mask
The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) announced on May 18 that people who have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 do not have to wear a mask indoors at businesses and faith institutions, but will have to show a card certifying their vaccination status, Christian Headlines reports.
Sudanese authorities demolish church building in Omdurman
Despite a promise to authorize the church after its building was burned down, on May 27 officials in Sudan demolished a building belonging to the Sudanese Church of Christ (SCOC) in the city of Omdurman, Christian Solidarity Worldwide reports.
Egypt angered by Ethiopian plan to build 100 new dams
Amid an ongoing dispute over Ethiopia’s currently unfinished dam on the Nile river’s main tributary, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez has angrily criticized Ethiopian Prime Minister Abi Ahmed’s recent announcement that he plans to build “100 new small and medium-sized dams” in the next year, Voice of America reports.
Biden proclaims June is Pride Month
US President Joe Biden has issued a proclamation accepting June as Pride Month in America, the Hill reports. The American LGBT community has been celebrating June as Pride Month since the Stonewall riots of June 1969.
School district cites ‘pedagogical interests’ to censor ‘very Christianized’ valedictorian speech
A suburban Detroit school district is claiming the legal right to censor its students under the banner of “pedagogical interests” after stopping a valedictorian from giving a speech it deemed too religious.
Man-monkey hybrid sparks fears of ‘Frankenstein’ creatures
Researchers conducting human-animal hybrid experiments struck fear into federal lawmakers worried that nightmare scenarios of Frankenstein creatures have become a reality.
Largest ship in Iranian navy catches fire and sinks
The largest ship in the Iranian navy caught fire and later sank Wednesday in the Gulf of Oman under unclear circumstances, semiofficial news agencies reported.
Isaac Herzog elected Israel’s 11th president, with 87 votes of Knesset’s 120
Isaac Herzog, the chairman of the Jewish Agency and former head of the Labor party, was elected Wednesday as Israel’s eleventh president.
Massive fire breaks out at oil refinery near Iran’s capital
A massive fire broke out Wednesday night at the oil refinery serving Iran’s capital, sending thick plumes of black smoke over Tehran. It wasn’t immediately clear if there were injuries.
Religious Liberty and the First Amendment on Trial Now at US Supreme Court
Religious freedom advocates are awaiting a major ruling from the Supreme Court this month. It hinges on LGBTQ advocates trying to force a faith-based foster agency to violate its religious beliefs.
Iranian Navy ships could reach the Atlantic by Thursday
The two Iranian Navy ships steaming south along the east coast of Africa are expected to round the Cape of Good Hope and reach the Atlantic Ocean as early as Thursday, according to two U.S. officials with direct knowledge.
Biden: ‘Simply Un-American’ for States to Pass Voting Reforms That Boost Election Security
On a trip to Tulsa where he focused on racial hatred and division, President Joe Biden brought up voting rights and the Democrats’ push to pass H.R. 1, a bill that would relax voting rules and give the federal government more control over how states and localities run their elections.