Mecklenburg County Commissioners pass pro-LGBT ordinance
The Mecklenburg County Commissioners have passed a controversial resolution. The officials adopted a resolution that opposes LGBTQ discrimination. The ordinance was highly controversial and opposition voiced their disproval of the resolution. The commissioners voted unanimously in favor of the resolution. The county attorney is looking into making this resolution law in the county at the request of Commissioner Leigh Altman. The resolution reads, “The Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners affirms that every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and should be able to live in Mecklenburg County without fear, no matter their sexual orientation or gender identity including Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer and Non-Binary individuals.” The resolution affirms according to commissioners that LBGTQ individuals cannot be discriminated against various areas including hotels, retail, restaurants, hospitals, and government buildings. The resolution also protects hairstyles normally associated with Black American culture. The city of Charlotte is also working on expanding their nondiscrimination ordinance according to mayor Vi Lyles.
Kosovo establishes ties with Israel
The nation of Kosovo has officially established ties with the nation of Israel. Kosovo officials made the announcement recently. That nation’s foreign minister commented on how Israel and Kosovo had a similar experiences in being recognized as a nation. Kosovo will be the first Muslim-majority country to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. The nation will build its embassy in Jerusalem. Other Muslim nations have recognize Israel and signed peace deals; several have promised to build embassies in Tel Aviv (possibly to not upset Palestinian leaders.) Kosovo is the third nation to move its embassy to Jerusalem following Guatemala and the U.S.
IN US AND WORLD NEWS: Hong Kong, Illinois, California
An Evangelist is home in the US after being forced to leave Hong Kong. Author and Evangelist Francis Chan was forced to leave Hong Kong after his visa was rejected. The evangelist was living in Hong Kong with his family to continue evangelism as international missionaries according to Chan himself. Chan along with his two son in laws visas were rejected and they were told they had to leave and return to the U.S. Chan says he was able to set up three house churches, but says he is not sure of when Hong Kong officials will let his family return. Hong Kong is a territory of China; according to the persecution watchdog group China Aid the Communist government has a heavy influence on the island territory. China Aid representatives believe China’s mainland government is the influence behind the evangelist’s dismissal from Hong Kong.
In Illinois a student is being punished for requesting an exemption from a class. The student Macail McBride requested to be removed from a sex education class at her school saying the class violated her religious beliefs. The school Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy requires students to take the Gender and Sexuality program prior to graduation. The student and her family are being represented by First Liberty and the Illinois Religious Freedom Restoration Act, forcing students to take a class that violates their beliefs is against the state law. Attorneys for the family say the school is attempting to evade the law and the school is required to provide an accommodation to the student.
In California that state’s governor continues to defy rulings by the US Supreme Court. According to several churches currently fighting in court the governor continues to restrict in person worship. California’s governor banned in person services and praise and worship during outdoor services citing COVID-19 concerns. The US Supreme Court ruled in favor of churches being allowed to reopen in New York and Colorado prompting several state governments to relax their restrictions. California’s state government is the only one in the US that continues to ban churches from meeting indoors. Attorneys for churches in the lawsuit say the courts in California have refused to hear the case and they had to appeal to the Supreme Court. According to reports except for a small window of time California’s no worship ban has been in place for 318 days on February 1st.
SNBC HEALTH REPORT: Boosting the Body’s immunity naturally
Dr. Shelby Township, a dentist discussed natural ways to boost the body’s immunity on a blog post for her company in Michigan. Dr. Township mentioned her frequent collaborations with Dr. David Brownstein, author of the newsletter, The Natural Way to Health in discussing the matter. Dr. Brownstein gives several ways to stay healthy naturally during the winter months which is commonly referred to by mainstream medical doctors as cold and flu season. He advises eating a mostly healthy diet and avoiding refined sugars. Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated. Dr. Brownstein also advises adding Vitamins A, D3, C and iodine to a healthy regimen. Supplements can be consumed, but taking in these nutrients through food is always the best way. Here are just a few foods rich in each nutrient: foods rich in Vitamin A and C: broccoli, spinach, oranges, and strawberries, Vitamin D3- egg yolks, and various seafood, and iodine- various seafood, eggs, strawberries and cranberries.