NEW YORK (AP) — More than 107,000 Americans died of drug overdoses last year, setting another tragic U.S. record. That translates to roughly one overdose death every 5 minutes.

BEIJING (AP) — China on Wednesday defended sticking to its strict “zero-COVID” approach, calling critical remarks from the World Health Organization “irresponsible.”

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The fast-growing population of Jewish immigrants to the United Arab Emirates may feel freer than ever to express their identity in the autocratic Arab sheikhdom, which has sought to brand itself as an oasis of religious tolerance. But plans to build a permanent Jewish sanctuary for Dubai’s fast-expanding congregation have sputtered to a standstill, religious leaders say.

ATLANTA (AP) — Rafael Devers hit his first career grand slam and the last-place Boston Red Sox broke out for clean-shaven manager Alex Cora in a 9-4 win over the Atlanta Braves that ended a five-game skid.

When Pastor Adrian Taylor thinks about the revitalization and growth that Springhill Missionary Baptist Church has experienced over the past 17 years, he is quick to give credit to God and His unchanging Word, the Bible. “The most important factor has been fidelity to Scripture,” he said.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Angels rookie Reid Detmers pitched the majors’ second no-hitter this season, cruising after he benefited from a borderline error call in the seventh inning as Los Angeles beat the Tampa Bay Rays 12-0.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — Sri Lankan authorities have deployed armored vehicles and troops in the streets of the capital two days after pro-government mobs attacked peaceful protesters, triggering a wave of violence across the country.

JERUSALEM (AP) — A veteran journalist for the Al Jazeera network was shot and killed while covering an Israeli raid in the West Bank town of Jenin. Shireen Abu Akleh, a well-known Palestinian reporter for the broadcaster’s Arabic language channel, was shot and died soon afterward early Wednesday.

When we look at what is going on today related to the possibility of Roe v. Wade being overturned, I want to set the tone for how we should be thinking. The fight for life is now going to be more intense on the state level! Now is not the time to back down! Now is the time to stand up!

ZAPORIZHZHIA, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine stopped the flow of Russian natural gas through one hub that feeds European homes and industry. Meanwhile, a pro-Kremlin official in a southern region seized by Russian troops said it would ask Moscow to annex it. The remarks could be another sign of Russia’s broader plan for Ukraine as it tries to salvage an invasion that has so far gone awry.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Inflation slowed in April after seven months of relentless gains, a tentative sign that price increases may be peaking while still imposing a financial strain on American households. Consumer prices jumped 8.3% last month from 12 months earlier.

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors in the U.S. have charged the leader of a notoriously violent Haitian gang with conspiracy to commit hostage taking for his alleged role in the kidnapping of 16 Americans last year.

IVEY, Ga. – A shortage of pianists is hitting churches in the largely rural Ebenezer Baptist Association especially hard, forcing pastors to turn to soundtracks for musical accompaniment. “I’d say more than half of our churches are without pianists,” said Bill Gordon, the associational missions strategist in Ebenezer. “People simply aren’t taking piano lessons like they once did. It’s a lot easier to find a pastor right now than it is to find a pianist.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — Parents across the U.S. are scrambling to find baby formula because of supply disruptions and a massive safety recall by manufacturer Abbott. Ongoing supply problems have intensified since Abbott shuttered its largest U.S. formula plant due to contamination concerns. Pediatricians are urging parents who can’t find formula to contact food banks or doctor’s offices.

PHILADELPHIA (BP) — Nearly 40 percent of Generation Z believe Jesus was a human and sinned like other people when He lived on earth, the American Bible Society reveals in State of the Bible 2022.

Despite consecutive days of howling winds, New Mexico's governor says there haven't been any reports of widespread damage to homes as a massive wildfire makes its way across the tinder-dry landscape. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called that good news during a briefing Tuesday on the largest wildfire burning in U.S.

NASHVILLE (BP) – Pastors often deal with churchgoers with strong opinions, but they’re much more concerned about the people in their congregations who don’t seem to care much at all. According to a recent study, most pastors say the primary “people dynamics” challenge they face in their churches is apathy or lack of commitment.

NASHVILLE (BP) – Charlie Houck loves serving as lead pastor at Mesa Church in San Diego. Just as much, he’s a fan of the parsonage that came with the building when Mesa launched in …

Theresa Dacio swore she’d never be a missionary. So when God nudged Dacio’s heart to the mission field, she didn’t tell her parents until tickets were purchased for her assignment in Asia. She kept waiting for God to slam the door shut, so why tell anyone? However, the graduate student couldn’t shake the feeling that it was time to step out of her comfort zone and allow God to fully use her.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Young leaders and pastors will gather May 13-14, for a national summit aimed at developing them and spurring conversations on the topics most relevant to them. Participants can expect the opportunity for fellowship and will hear messages from fellow pastors and leaders and discuss issues affecting the future of the church.

Video from the 2022 evangelism conference sermons are now available on the ACTS2 streaming app. The app highlights the work of Southern Baptists and other evangelicals around the globe to encourage others to live ON MISSION.

NEW YORK (AP) — Just as Americans gear up for summer road trips, the price of oil remains stubbornly high, pushing prices at the gas pump to painful heights. AAA says drivers are paying $4.37 for a gallon of regular gasoline. That’s especially hard on people who drive for a living.

Defending national champion Mississippi State will be hard-pressed to make the NCAA baseball tournament this year after losing three straight at home to Florida over the weekend. The Bulldogs are last in the SEC West and 102nd in the RPI with conference series remaining against Texas A&M on the road and top-ranked Tennessee at home.

MORRISTOWN, Tenn. - For the past several weeks, Tennessee Baptist churches have been collecting supplies for Ukrainian refugees. Volunteers from Nolachucky Baptist Association loaded the first of two containers that will be sent to Moldova to assist in Ukrainian relief efforts.

Testing for COVID-19 has plummeted globally, making it tougher for scientists to track the course of the pandemic and spot worrisome viral mutants as they emerge and spread. Experts say testing has dropped by 70-90% worldwide from the first to the second quarter of this year. Rates are particularly low in low-income countries.