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December 5, 2021

Joel Osteen church cash discovery renews calls to tax churches

Crypto investor Carl Runefelt discusses the best use for bitcoin today on ‘The Claman Countdown.’

The political left has renewed its calls to tax churches after a plumber at Pastor Joel Osteen’s church found hundreds of envelopes full of cash.

A plumber called into a Houston radio station KILT-FM on Thursday, according to the city’s KPRC-TV. The caller said, “There was a loose toilet in the wall, and we removed the tile. Went to go remove the toilet and I moved some insulation away and about 500 envelopes fell out of the wall.”

“I was like ‘Oh wow.’ I got my flashlight, shined up in there,” the caller added.

The envelopes were filled with cash and checks, according to the caller, who said he reported the find to the maintenance supervisor.

“I went ahead and contacted the maintenance supervisor that was there, and I turned it all in,” the caller said.

Joel Osteen speaks during SiriusXM Joel Osteen Radio Town Hall with Joel and Victoria Osteen at SiriusXM Studios on December 16, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Bonnie Biess/Getty Images for SiriusXM)

In March 2014, Lakewood Church reported that $200,000 in cash and $400,000 in checks had been stolen, in addition to some credit card information.

“Morning Bullpen” host George Lindsey told the TV station he was shocked by the caller’s account.

“Good morning and Happy Friday to everyone who agrees that leaders of filthy rich mega churches like Joel Osteen who stuff the walls of their church with $350,000 in cash should be taxed. In fact, tax ALL of the churches,” wrote a user named BrooklynDad_Defiant!

“Joel Osteen dragging Jesus into the toilet,” wrote author John Pavlovitz.

“Gonna tell my kids this is Joel Osteen,” wrote user who describes himself as “McNeil.” His tweet was appended with an image of fictional meth dealer Walter White showing his hidden cash to his son.

“Tax Joel Osteen. Tax ALL churches. Who agrees?” wrote actress Angela Belcamino.

Lakewood Church said in a statement that cash and checks were discovered recently during work being done on the church, but did not add how much money was found and did not directly confirm what the plumber said.

“Lakewood immediately notified the Houston Police Department and is assisting them with their investigation. Lakewood has no further comment at this time,” the church said.

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Some members of Congress have suggested taxing churches, such as Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., who tweeted, “If they’re going to politically weaponize religion by ‘rebuking’ Democrats who support women’s reproductive choice, then a ‘rebuke’ of their tax-exempt status may be in order.”

Fox News’ Adam Sabes and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

December 4, 2021

Bob Brockman’s competency to stand trial for tax fraud now in judge’s hands

Medical experts retained by prosecutors and defense lawyers generally agreed that Brockman likely has Parkinson’s disease. But the experts diverged on whether Brockman’s cognitive abilities are mildly impaired or have progressed to dementia.

Three prosecution experts testified that Brockman is exaggerating his symptoms, and two of them have said they believe he is competent to stand trial. Experts retained by Brockman’s lawyers, however, said they believe his impairment extends to his memory, mental processing speed, problem-solving and judgment skills and that he would struggle to understand the complex nature of the case.

A Department of Justice spokeswoman said the department generally does not comment on pending matters. Brockman’s lawyers did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Brockman, 80, was indicted in October 2020 on 39 counts, including tax evasion, wire fraud, money laundering and evidence tampering. He has pleaded not guilty and stepped down from his role as chairman and CEO of dealership management system giant Reynolds in November 2020.

Prosecutors pointed to Brockman’s continuation at the helm of Reynolds — and his seemingly strong performance during two civil depositions in 2019 answering technical business questions and recalling past events — as incongruent with a time period in which his symptoms of cognitive impairment were reported to have appeared. They contend Brockman had both the motivation and the capacity to malinger, or feign symptoms, to avoid prosecution.

Current Reynolds CEO Tommy Barras, who testified that Brockman chose him to be his successor, and former Reynolds CFO Craig Moss testified during the hearing that Brockman remained involved in important company decisions and they had no reason to doubt his cognitive abilities.

Dr. Christopher Whitlow of Wake Forest School of Medicine, a neuroradiologist retained by the defense, testified that images of Brockman’s brain, including MRI and PET scans, show a pattern that raises concerns about dementia. Whitlow testified that brain scans also show Brockman has lost brain volume, raising concerns about potential loss of cognitive function.

A second defense medical expert, Dr. Thomas Guilmette of Providence College in Rhode Island, testified that Brockman’s deposition performance two years ago could not be replicated today and that Brockman likely was able to draw on deep, retained knowledge of the topics at issue even if he was experiencing dementia at the time.

December 4, 2021

Could common cold viruses protect against COVID-19?

Commuters at London King’s Cross railway station on Monday, July 19, 2021. Jason Alden/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Other strains of human coronaviruses, such as those that cause the common cold, circulated through the human population before the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, which is responsible for COVID-19.
Understanding the immune response to coronaviruses that existed before the pandemic and the current SARS-CoV-2 virus may be a gateway to better understanding protective immunity to COVID-19.
A recent study asks whether exposure to pre-pandemic coronaviruses might protect against COVID-19.

Scientists at the University of Zurich (UZH) in Switzerland recently performed an analysis demonstrating a higher level of immunity against COVID-19 in people who had been exposed to coronaviruses circulating before the pandemic.

Prof. Alexandra Trkola, lead researcher and head of the Institute of Medical Virology at UZH, and her colleagues reported their findings in Nature Communications.

The study monitored antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 to uncover correlations with vaccine protection, disease severity, and susceptibility to infection.

The researchers also compared immune responses against SARS-CoV-2 with those against pre-pandemic coronaviruses, known as HCoVs. The four types of HCoVs that cause the common cold collectively account for around 10–15{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of adult infections and 2–6{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of all hospital admissions for lower respiratory tract infections.

“Our study shows that a strong antibody response to human coronaviruses increases the level of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. So someone who has gained immunity to harmless coronaviruses is therefore also better protected against severe SARS-CoV-2 infections,” says Prof. Trkola.

When an immune response against one coronavirus creates immune protection against a different virus, health experts call it cross-reactivity.

The researchers analyzed serum samples from 825 participants taken before the pandemic, and assessed their immune responses to four of these HCoVs.

They also analyzed 389 serum samples from individuals who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.

The scientists found that the people who contracted SARS-CoV-2 had lower levels of antibodies against HCoVs than the individuals who did not contract SARS-CoV-2.

Also, the people with higher levels of antibodies against HCoVs who did contract SARS-CoV-2 were less likely to need hospital treatment.

Rachel Roper, Ph.D., a professor of microbiology and immunology at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, told Medical News Today:

“I suspected that preexisting immunity to other human coronaviruses that cause colds would affect responses to SARS-CoV-2, but we didn’t have the data until now. These researchers show convincing evidence that preexisting immunity to other human coronaviruses gives some protection against infection with SARS-CoV-2, as well as [the] development of severe disease.”

“These data partly explain why some individuals have very mild or asymptomatic infections, while others develop severe disease,” she continued.

Dr. Roper went on to say, “In addition, the data show that having an immune response to other coronaviruses helps increase the immune response to COVID-19 vaccines.”

Beyond the antibody response, she explained how “these data also suggest that T lymphocytes may respond similarly and provide some level [of] cross-protection.”

“Of course, immune responses targeting SARS-CoV-2 that are mounted by the memory cells are far more effective than cross-reactive responses. But even though the protection isn’t absolute, cross-reactive immune responses shorten the infection and reduce its severity. And this is exactly what is also achieved through vaccination, just much, much more efficiently,” says Dr. Trkola.

B lymphocytes — a type of white blood cell — produce antibodies. They form memory cells that remember the pathogen for faster antibody production in future infections.

People’s immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is most robust soon after recovering from an infection or receiving a vaccination. This immunity occurs when antibody levels against the virus are still high. As these levels begin to drop, protection against the virus diminishes.

At this point, the process known as immunological memory can quickly reactivate the body’s production of antibodies and T cells and confer renewed immunity against the circulating viruses.

Dr. Roper went on to say, “These data give us a reason to be grateful for catching the colds caused by the other human coronaviruses!”

Whether the cross-reactivity of antibodies on antigens revealed in this study works in the opposite direction is still unknown. Does immunity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus also confer immunity against weaker forms of the coronavirus?

MNT spoke with Dr. David Smith, MAS, FACP, from University of California San Diego Health in La Jolla, who discussed the study’s clinical implications. He stated, “It’s hard to directly interpret these data through a clinical lens. The study does suggest that more related coronavirus immunity helps with SARS-CoV-2 immunity.”

“This gives me hope that COVID-19 vaccines should continue to help protect [against] variants that continue to develop, but, of course, clinical studies will need to assess such speculation and hope.”

December 4, 2021

College football schedule, games 2021: What to watch in Week 14, TV channels, Saturday kickoff times

The first night of conference title games ha come and gone, and now a loaded Saturday is finally here as Championship Week in college football has arrived. Some of these games will not only result in pride but also serve as the closing argument for teams aiming for the College Football Playoff. No. 1 Georgia and No. 3 Alabama will square off in one of the most highly-anticipated SEC Championship Games of all time. Georgia is essentially a lock for the CFP, but Alabama needs a win to get in and gain confidence going into the postseason.

No. 2 Michigan is in its first ever Big Ten Championship Game, and a win over No. 13 Iowa will punch Jim Harbaugh’s ticket to the CFP — something that has evaded him since taking over the program.

It’ll be a busy busy college football weekend. Here’s a viewer’s guide to help you navigate through the action.

All times eastern
All games on Saturday unless otherwise noted

The big games

No. 5 Oklahoma State vs. No. 9 Baylor (in Arlington, Texas) — noon on ABC: The Cowboys won Bedlam last week with a second half defensive performance from the ages, and are looking for another signature win and style points to show off to the CFP selection committee. Quarterback Spencer Sanders had a big day last week, but it will be more difficult here against the stout Bears defense.

No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 3 Alabama (in Atlanta) — 4 p.m. on CBS: The Bulldog defense has been one of the best in a generation, and it’s final act until the postseason is a matchup against an Alabama team that has been inconsistent up front throughout the season. Meanwhile, Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young could lock up the Heisman Trophy on Saturday afternoon if he has a big game.

No. 21 Houston at No. 4 Cincinnati — 4 p.m. on ABC: The Bearcats are in a CFP position right now, but multiple other teams including Oklahoma State and Notre Dame are nipping at their heels. Houston has won 11 straight games and quarterback Clayton Tune has settled in nicely. It’ll be a big day at Nippert Stadium in what is the biggest Group of Five game of the CFP era.

No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 13 Iowa (in Indianapolis) — 8 p.m. on Fox: The Wolverines rushing attack led by Hassan Haskins torched and embarrassed Ohio State last weekend, but the challenge is much different this week against a Hawkeyes team that is driving by defense. These are uncharted waters for Jim Harbaugh’s crew, so it’ll be interesting to see if there is a hangover from the win over the Buckeyes. If there is, it could drastically change the CFP picture.

Other big games

No. 10 Oregon vs. No. 17 Utah (in Las Vegas) — Friday, 8 p.m. on ABC: Utah knocked Oregon out of the CFP race on Nov. 20, so revenge will be on the mind of coach Mario Cristobal and the Ducks on Friday night in Sin City. Both of these teams strive to dominate up front, and that is what this one should come down to on Friday night

No. 15 Pittsburgh vs. No. 16 Wake Forest (in Charlotte) — 8 p.m. on ABC: Get your popcorn ready, because the quarterback matchup between Panthers’ star Kenny Pickett and Demon Deacons’ signal-caller Sam Hartman will result in points-a-plenty. What’s more, it could be a Heisman Trophy finalist elimination game for the quarterbacks.

Best of the rest

December 4, 2021

COVID-19 survivors have higher risk of death 12 months after infection

doctor looking through patient records — New research examines the effects of severe COVID-19 a year after the infection. Heath Korvola/Getty Images

The negative impact of COVID-19 on patients’ health has been recognized but not yet clearly quantified.
Previous research has looked at the effects of the disease at 6 months, and scientists have now explored the impact on overall health at 12 months.
The relative increase in the risk of death after COVID-19 is higher for under 65s than over 65s.

The total number of recorded COVID-19 deaths has passed 5 million globally, with over 750,000 deaths in the United States alone. However, these figures are unlikely to reveal the true impact of COVID-19 on the population.

Scientists have now shown an increased risk of death among COVID-19 survivors 12 months after the infection.

For people younger than 65 who were hospitalized with COVID-19, the risk of death in the 12 months after the infection was 233{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} higher than it was for people who did not have the disease, results published in the journal Frontiers in Medicine have shown.

Nearly 80{cfdf3f5372635aeb15fd3e2aecc7cb5d7150695e02bd72e0a44f1581164ad809} of all deaths of people in the study who had recovered from COVID-19 in the past 12 months were not due to cardiovascular or respiratory causes, suggesting that the impact of the virus is significant and wide-ranging, even after the initial infection has been fought off.

Prof. Arch Mainous, an author of the paper, told Medical News Today in an email: “A lot of interest in the scientific community has focused on what happens to patients after having an episode with COVID-19. Some people are focusing on ‘long COVID’ or persistent symptoms like brain fog or lack of smell. We were interested in the hard outcome of death after COVID-19 recovery.”

“We thought that the impact of COVID-19 would be significant enough to engender complications. The overall trauma or psychological insult to the body would be dramatic enough to create lasting damage.”

To measure the impact of COVID-19 on long-term health, researchers from the University of Florida looked at electronic healthcare records from patients tested for COVID-19 in any setting in the University of Florida health system, both in Gainesville and Jacksonville. People who died within 30 days of their COVID-19 tests were excluded from the analysis.

Out of 13,638 people tested for COVID-19 between January 1 and June 30, 2020, 424 people were found to have COVID-19. Of this number, 178 people were classified as having severe disease. The rest were negative for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, as determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.

The researchers then evaluated the electronic healthcare records of these people, following them for 365 days after the first PCR test. They found that 2,686 people in the cohort had died.

The team then analyzed the healthcare records to determine cause of death and compared the risk of death for people who had had COVID-19 with that of people who had not tested positive for SARS-CoV-2.

They found that the vast majority of deaths among people who had had COVID-19, nearly 4 out of 5 of these deaths, were not due to cardiovascular or respiratory illness, despite much existing research into the impact of COVID-19 on these systems.

Prof. Mainous said, “Treatment in the hospital is [fine for surviving] the initial episode, but our strategy should focus on keeping people out of the hospital in the first place.”

“Taking your chances that you might get COVID-19 but that it will be mild, or that you will just rely on treatments to pull you through a severe episode is a course of action with big risks.”

These figures demonstrate that the impact of COVID-19 could last longer than we had originally anticipated. However, they do not tell us why.

Prof. Mainous continued, “Although there are a variety of theories floating around about why there are post-acute complications from COVID-19, and more work needs to be done to establish definitively the mechanism, it seems likely that the intense level of inflammation in the body affects multiple parts of the body.”

Children were not included in this study, but Sammie Mcfarland, founder and CEO of Long Covid Kids, told MNT in an interview that the study shed some light on a topic that should get more attention — and that we still do not understand the long-term impact of COVID-19 on children.

In the United Kingdom, she said, “We don’t know if the children coming out of hospital go on to recover, go on to die, or go on to get long COVID, we just don’t know.”

She also pointed out that while cases of pediatric multisystem inflammatory syndrome, a rare complication that can occur in children with COVID-19, have been recorded, we do not know what has happened to many of these kids.

Mcfarland told us: “Those children are living now with some severe impairment, and some of them have died. And those children aren’t recorded as COVID deaths. And they’re not recorded in the COVID data. But it’s still from COVID.”

For live updates on the latest developments regarding the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, click here.

December 4, 2021

The 21 Best Vegan Fashion & Beauty Gifts Under $100 to Buy Today

This holiday season, dazzling friends and family with the best makeup and style gifts out there has never been easier. Whether it’s old-school, leather-free kicks that go with practically anything in your closet or a bold lipstick set featuring classic holiday colors, we’ve made this year’s shopping a breeze. Plus, with this curated gift guide all under $100, there’s no need to blow your entire paycheck as you play Santa for your loved ones. Get ahead on your list without breaking the bank with these 21 affordable vegan gift ideas.

Beauty

1 Merit The Essentials Set

“Your skin, but better,” say the clean beauty gurus at Merit. And the proof is in this gorgeous, introductory set featuring universally flattering shades in three essential makeup must-haves: a creamy blush, nourishing lip oil, and lengthening mascara.
$45
Get it here

2 Youth To The People The Youth Minimalist Set

Gift a complete skincare makeover with this three-step set from California-based Youth To The People. Any skincare aficionado will appreciate the cult-favorite cleanser, moisturizing cream, and vitamin C serum. Plus, the set comes in refillable and recyclable packaging so there’s no waste.
$46
Get it here

3 LUSH Snow Fairy Gift Set

Everyone could use some TLC this holiday season, and vegan beauty company LUSH knows just how to help. Back with its famous bubblegum scent, the Snow Fairy collection features a foaming bubble bar, colorful bath bomb, luxurious shower gel, and softening body conditioner. And there’s no wrapping needed as the set comes in a vibrant hatbox.
$39.95
Get it here

4 MISS SWISS Vegan Makeup Brush Set

If there’s one thing most cosmetics enthusiasts consider essential, it’s a brush set. Gift this luxe gold makeup brush set from MISS SWISS with an assortment of 12 synthetic vegan brushes perfect for applying foundation, eyeshadow, and bronzer.
$40
Get it here

5 Maria Nila Holiday Box 2021 Structure Repair

Swedish vegan haircare company Maria Nila is beloved by celebrities and influencers alike for a reason. And thanks to this holiday bundle, you can test it out for yourself. Designed to rebuild and strengthen your hair, this set comes with shampoo, conditioner, and a heat spray.
$60
Get it here

6 Flé Soléy Bottled Sunshine

This mesmerizing bottle is almost too pretty to use. Sister-owned Haitian brand Flé Soléy is helping add luxury into your skincare routine with this rose, rosemary, and aloe vera-infused toner with subtle hints of gold shimmer.
$39
Get it here

7 Pacifica Island Vanilla Bundle

Take a break from the harsh winter blues and escape with vegan beauty pioneer Pacifica’s shower set featuring its best-selling Tahitian vanilla scent.
$58
Get it here

8 Anna Marti Cosmetics Posh Pink Bundle

Beauty industry veteran Anna Marti launched her vegan lipstick line to meet the needs of those looking for cruelty-free, high-quality products to create the perfect pout on the go. This warm pinkish-orange lip set comes with a long-lasting lip liner, velvet-matte lipstick, high-shine gloss, and a travel makeup bag.
$49.95
Get it here

9 Versed Skin De-Stressing Gift Set

Holiday stress can wreak havoc on the skin. Thankfully, vegan drugstore brand Versed knows this trio of relaxing essentials will help. Massage pressure points with its Facial Acupressure Wand, and use the Clarifying Serum and Moisturizing Gel-Cream to calm inflammation.
$20
Get it here

10 Skandinavisk Protect Mini Hand Cream Giftset

After the past two years of constant hand-washing and hand sanitizer-applying, it’s safe to say our hands could use some extra attention. Scandinavian home and body-care brand Skandinavisk brings five mini organic hand creams in an adorable gift set so rich moisture is just a few steps away.
$40
Get it here

11 Evereden Baby On The Way Gift Set

Need a gift for an expecting mother? This bundle from Evereden is perfect for the mom-to-be with its Soothing Belly Mask, Golden Belly Serum, and Nourishing Stretch Mark Cream. Plus, the gift set comes with deluxe minis for newborns featuring a Nourishing Baby Face Cream and Soothing Baby Massage Oil all packaged in a cute leather gift bag.
$98
Get it here

12 The Lip Bar Matte + Merry Holiday Set

Red lips just scream holidays, which is exactly why Black-owned beauty brand The Lip Bar put together five of its best-selling liquid matte lipsticks together to get you through every Christmas party looking festive.
$40
Get it here

Fashion

13 Foundationals Easy-Does-It Tank (3-Pack)

You can never go wrong with an everyday tank. Los Angeles-based sustainability-focused apparel brand Foundationals’ heavy-weight rib-knit cotton tank comes in various colors but this neutral set in black, white, and sand is easy to dress up or down for any occasion.
$98
Get it here

14 Coconuts By Matisse Bambi Western Boot

The popular cowboy boot trend isn’t stopping anytime soon, but it’s hard to find a non-leather version. Luckily, Matisse has created these embossed boots with synthetic leather and man-made outsoles so you can join in on the fun while maintaining your ethics. Pair with a short red dress for the ultimate trendy holiday look.
$100
Get it here

15 Apparis Luna Scarf

Cooler temperatures call for warm accessories, and what better holiday gift than a luxuriously soft faux-fur scarf? Vegan fashion brand Apparis shows you how to get cozy while staying in style with glam colors ranging from bright pink to emerald green.
$85
Get it here

16 NAOT Leisure Slippers

Looking for a useful stocking stuffer? This slipper from footwear company NAOT’s vegan line is incredibly comfy with its mattress foam padding insole and is even podiatrist-approved for support while you lounge around the house.
$59.95
Get it here

17 Pixie Mood Sara Shoulder Bag

Cruelty-free and vegan handbag company Pixie Mood is on a mission to create unique styles that are kind for the animals, the people, and the environment. Its shoulder bag comes in six classic colorways and features a tortoiseshell chain and a versatile detachable crossbody strap.
$78
Get it here

18 Vetta Capsule The Long Sleeve Convertible Tee

Ever heard of a capsule wardrobe? It’s a minimalist approach to keep consumption down while creating a variety of outfits using only a few key clothing pieces. Start with Vetta Capsule’s basics collection featuring a versatile soft tee that goes with basically everything.
$98
Get it here

19 SOKO Mezi Mini Hoop Earrings

Women-led jewelry brand SOKO values fair-trade practices and works with small Kenyan artisans to connect them directly with the global market. These handcrafted gold-plated earrings feature a mini huggie style and are the perfect everyday hoop.
$88
Get it here

20 Poppy Lissiman Card Holder

To avoid unnecessary waste, Australian designer Poppy Lissiman began using the leftover fabric from her vegan leather bags to create matching cardholders. The result is a functional, gorgeous wallet with four card slots adorned with her signature gold logo.
$60
Get it here

21 Reebok Classic Leather Vegan Shoes

Reebok has proven its longevity as it gets a resurgence from Fashionphiles everywhere looking to revive the old-school vibes. For its vegan collection, the iconic shoe brand pulled from its archives to bring back these ‘70s-inspired kicks created with entirely vegan ingredients down to the glues used.
$80
Get it here

For more vegan gift ideas, read:
The VegNews Guide to Vegan Gifts
13 Vegan Advent Calendars for 24 Days of Gifts
15 Dad-Approved Vegan Christmas Gifts for Men Under $50

Aruka Sanchir (@ruukes) is the Beauty & Style Editor at VegNews who is always looking for exciting new vegan products to test out.

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