Today’s news briefs include surprise result in India’s election, woman thought dead found breathing at funeral home, Pakistani Christian dies after mob attack, Baptists set to vote on resolutions.
Woman about to be embalmed at funeral home found breathing
A Nebraska woman was saved from being embalmed alive after a funeral home discovered she was breathing. Constance Glantz, 74, was on hospice at the Mulberry Nursing Home in Waverly, Nebraska, when she was pronounced dead by the staff. Because she was on hospice, the coroner was not called and she was transferred to the funeral home where, two hours later, staff began preparing her for embalming. Shocked staff noticed her breathing and called 911 who responded and transferred her to a hospital where she remains. Lancaster County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Ben Houchin says an investigation is ongoing. “This is a very unusual case,” he said at a press conference.
Five more hostages declared dead
Israel has confirmed that five more Israelis have been declared dead. British-Israeli Nadav Popplewell, 51, Chaim Peri, 79, Yoram Metzger, 80, and Amiram Cooper, 85 were taken hostage on Oct. 7. The IDF says the four were killed together during an Israeli operation in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. It does not say if they were killed by Hamas or by the actions of the IDF. Their bodies are still in Hamas custody. Yesterday officials confirmed that Dolev Yehud‘s remains were found in Israel after he was presumed to have been taken hostage on October 7. Yehud, 36 from Kibbutz Nir Oz, was a paramedic who left his wife and children in a safe room on October 7 to try and save lives during the Hamas attack. Eight months after the attack, forensic experts continue to sift through debris that may contain human remains.
World’s largest election in India
Votes are being counted in the world’s largest ever election. India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led coalition may lose its majority and be forced to form coalition to remain in power. The opposition party Indian National Congress continues to make gains as it promises to protect the constitution. Modi’s party has looked the other way as India’s Christian community has faced severe persecution. Modi has also become close to Russia and Iran and has ignored sanctions placed on Russia after the Ukraine invasion.
Southern Baptists to vote on these resolutions
As Southern Baptist messengers prepare for their annual convention June 11, 10 resolutions will be up for a vote. They include SBC leadership accountability, defending religious liberty, outlining what constitutes a just war and supporting peace, supporting Israel against calls for a unilateral ceasefire, life issues in a post-Roe political environment including increased healthcare support for pregnant women and children, guidelines for reproductive technology and the dignity of embryos, parental rights and responsibilities, guidelines for non-disclosure agreements, goals for the Great Commission, appreciation for Indianapolis which is hosting the convention.
Pakistani Christian man dies from mob attack
Lazar (Nazir) Masih, an elderly grandfather in Pakistan, has died of injuries after a Muslim cleric and mob burned down his shoemaking factory over unproven allegations he desecrated the Quran. He died Monday in a military hospital in Rawalpindi, Punjab province, according to Christian persecution watchdog organizations. “Today every single Pakistani should be weighed by grief, not only for the atrocities in a foreign land but right here. Yet again, hate has brought us to the place where we must ask questions,” Church of Pakistan President Bishop Asad Marshall wrote in an X post. Human rights groups say Pakistan’s blasphemy laws embolden radical Muslim mobs to attack Christians.
–Dwight Widaman and wire services