UMC delays split of Northern Georgia conference
The National United Methodist Church is attempting to prevent a split in its organization. The organization has suspended the disaffiliation of churches in North Georgia. Leaders claim false information and secret meetings are being held without the church’s approval. Among the accusations, leaders claim they are being accused of no longer believing in the divinity of Christ, altering the Apostle’s Creed, and forcing same-sex weddings in churches that resist this ceremony. The National Methodist church has experienced a split following the approval of same-sex marriage and openly gay pastors. The controversial measures prompted conservative and international branches to leave the organization. The northern Georgia branch of the UMC makes up nine percent of the Georgia state conference. If approved this branch of the church will be a part of the UMC until the next conference until 2024.
Justice rules in favor of West Virginia law
A justice has ruled to uphold a law in West Virginia. The law is known as HB 3293 or the Save Women’s Sports Act. The state law banned biological males from competing in women’s sports in that state. A student later sued saying the law violated the constitutional rights of trans students under Title IX protections. US District Court Judge Joseph Goodwin presided over the case. Goodwin of his opinion said in part, "The question before the court is whether the legislature's chosen definition of 'girl' and 'woman' in this context is constitutionally permissible. I find that it is….” Goodwin added that he did believe the law was created to politicize participation in school sports, however those suing against the law did not prove their case. Alliance Defending Freedom legal counsel Christiana Kiefer called the decision a win for reality.
SNBC NEWS UPDATE: W.H.O. moves forward with vaccine passports efforts
The World Health Organization is electing to move forward with a controversial plan . A committee within the organization the International Health Regulations Review Committee is reportedly making plans to move forward with meetings for this plan. The plan signed by various countries around the world would require vaccine passports for each country’s citizens to travel abroad. The passport which could be a physical copy, or a digital copy would detail a person's vaccination records. According to reports this could affect millions in part because of the treaty being signed at the G20 summit. The group consists of 66 countries around the world including the US. The Biden Administration previously had claimed they would not condone such a requirement for US citizens. Mr. Biden however signed the agreement known as the Bali declaration. Several patients’ rights groups here in the US have already condemned the treaty, calling it a violation of a person’s privacy concerning medical information.
SNBC HEALTH report: a recall has been issued for several blood pressure medications
Lupin Pharmaceuticals is issuing a voluntary recall for a blood pressure medication it produces. According to the recall report the drug Quinapril is being recalled by the company due to impurities found in the medicine. The impurities according to the company can increase a person’s risk of cancer. The company says the patients should not stop taking the medication, but rather contact a health care provider to be prescribed an alternative. The medication in question was distributed between March 2021 and September 2022 with expiration dates between December 2022 and March 2024. They also report no illnesses have been reported related to this medication. This is the third recall issued for the drug Quinapril. The first recall was conducted by Pfizer in the summer of 2022, followed by two more recalls by Lupin Pharmaceuticals.