USCIRF has recommended Pakistan be classified as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) since 2002 for its violations of religious freedom. Created by the 1998 International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA), the independent bipartisan watchdog lobbies US policy to press reform on egregious offenders. (Casper, Christianity Today)
Read MoreThe legislation that Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed into law on Wednesday requires a poster-sized display of the Ten Commandments in “large, easily readable font” in all public classrooms, from kindergarten to state-funded universities. (Cline, AP News)
Read MoreThe study of almost 8,000 vapers revealed that the proportion using high-strength vapes had risen from 3.8 per cent on average between July 2016 and June 2021, to 33 per cent in January 2024. Disposable vapes are often sold in nicotine strengths of 0mg, 10mg and 20mg/ml, which is the highest legally available, while reusable vapes allow people to buy a wider range of lower strengths. (Searls, The Telegraph)
Read MoreOther records that Disney can be jubilant about: That’s the third grossing non-opening Wednesday of all-time behind Star Wars: The Force Awakens ($38M) and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker ($32.2M). It’s the 12th highest grossing Wednesday overall, and the highest grossing non-opening animated Wednesday in domestic history. (D’Alessandro, Deadline)
Read MoreIn a rare case of cult crime in Singapore, prosecutors said she had instituted a “reign of terror” over eight years, convincing her followers to part with their money, which she claimed would be used to build temples in India. (Newey, The Telegraph)
Read MoreIn a statement Tuesday announcing Morris’s resignation, Gateway’s board of elders said they were “heartbroken and appalled” to learn that what they believed was an extramarital relationship was allegedly abuse of a child, The Christian Post reported. (Shellnutt, Christianity Today)
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