Around the World
EU plans digital ID wallet for bloc’s post-pandemic life
The European Union unveiled plans Thursday for a digital ID wallet that residents could use to access services across the 27-nation bloc, part of a post-pandemic recovery strategy that involves accelerating the shift to an online world.
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.
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.

Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Top IDF general says last month’s Gaza battle was only ‘first stage’ of campaign
The head of the Israel Defense Forces’ Southern Command on Thursday indicated he anticipated fighting would again break out in the Gaza Strip, saying that the conflict last month was only the “first stage” of a wider campaign.
Thousands attend Jerusalem Pride Parade under heavy security
Thousands took part in Jerusalem's Pride Parade Thursday under heavy security over fears of extremist attacks and a year after most of the globe's pride events were scrapped over the coronavirus pandemic.
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.

Inside the United States
US Jobless Claims Drop to 385,000, Another Pandemic Low
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week for a fifth straight week to a new pandemic low, the latest evidence that the U.S. job market is regaining its health as the economy further reopens.
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.
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.”

Christian News
Supreme Court denies Colorado churches’ request for relief from COVID-19 worship restrictions
The United States Supreme Court has rejected a request for emergency relief from two churches that are challenging Colorado's restrictions on worship in response to COVID-19.
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.
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.

Worthy Watch
New ‘Rainbow Index of Churches in Europe’ measures ‘LGBT inclusivity’ of Christian denominations
CBS, Hallmark Reject Pro-Life Ad that Shows Ultrasounds, Babies: ‘Too Controversial’
Emails show Fauci made urgent inquiry about gain-of-function research as pandemic began