SNBC NEWS update: NCAA Swimmer speaks out after controversial meet
A student who swam in the race against a controversial swimmer has released a statement. Virginia Tech student Reka Gyorgy missed the top 16 of the NCAA women’s 500 freestyle championship. One of the spots was occupied by a swimmer who goes by the name Lia Thomas. Thomas is a biological man who announced in 2019 he wanted to live and identify as a woman. Gyorgy in her letter to the NCAA describes the hurt of not qualifying. The young woman says she respects Thomas’ decision however, she says the rule change with the NCAA means spaces are being taken away from biological women. She points out in the letter the unfair advantage Thomas has biologically. Gyorgy blamed the NCAA for failing to protect biological women in swimming, saying they were aware of what their lack of interest in the subject would do to female swimmers. She ends the letter by asking the organization to try and understand how the competitors feel in this situation. Critics and supporters praised the young woman for her letter and eloquent response to the controversy. Reka Gyorgy is a gifted swimmer in her own right. She is a 2016 Olympian and during her five years at Virginia Tech, was a two-time ACC Champion, two time All- American, and three-time Honorable mention All American. Gyorgy was suspended from Twitter for her comments following the letter release on her private Twitter page.
Two Christians in Finland face jail time for expressing Biblical beliefs against Homosexuality
Two Finnish citizens may get time in prison for expressing their Biblical beliefs. Bishop Juhana Pohjola and politician Paivi Rasanen are on trial for speaking out against the LGBT community. Rasanen, a politician in Finland, has been under investigation since 2019. She is charged with 3 counts of hate speech for tweeting
Romans 1:24-27 on her private twitter account, which condemns homosexuality. Bishop Pohjola was charged for speaking out against homosexuality and for publishing Ms. Rasanen’s book in 2004. The Finnish Government says the bishop is liable for publishing the book, through his publishing company and therefore must stand trial for his part. Both parties are currently on trial together for these charges. A verdict is expected March 30th. US Congressman Chip Roy called this trial a result of radical secularism in Western countries.
ACLJ warns of two bills up for vote in Maryland
The American Center for Law and Justice is warning that a potential bill in Maryland could set a dangerous precedent. There are two bills being considered in the state of Maryland that pro-life supporters are concerned about. The first is a House Bill 1171, which grants “Reproductive Liberty” to state residents. If passed the bill would grant residents the freedom to pursue an abortion without restrictions. The language in the bill is broad so there is no clear definition of what no restrictions means at this time. The second bill, Senate Bill 669, would allow the death of an infant up to 28 days after birth. The bill mainly centers around failed abortions. If an abortion is performed, but fails this law allows the right for doctors to leave the baby without care. This includes allowing the child to starve to death, die due to exposure to cold or heat, without any form of medical aid. The bill would also prevent investigations by police for an extended period of time which could cause evidence in these cases to be lost. The mother could also sue police if their investigation leads to the arrest of the mother and medical staff involved in the procedure. The ACLJ warns this potential law is allowing fetal murder and manslaughter and could hinder the investigations in the deaths of infants that were not victims of failed abortions. The ACLJ is encouraging residents of Maryland to call their state senator concerning Senate Bill 669.
SNBC Health report: the health benefits of dates
Most consumers of this sweet fruit look at it as a natural sweet treat or as part of a dish. Dates are more than just a natural way to add sweetness to a dish. It has lots of nutrients that are beneficial to the human body. Dates are a natural source of fiber and rich in other nutrients. It is loaded with vitamins such as iron, magnesium, and copper. Dates contain polyphenols, which assist in fighting against illness. It helps promote heart health assisting the cardiovascular system, helps with blood pressure and reduces inflammation. Dates are also beneficial to brain health and have anti-bacterial properties. Researchers advise not to over consume dates due to its amount of carbs and fiber so enjoy in moderation.