World
Each Jewish couple’s story starts long before the wedding − and so does the celebration of their life together
By Shulamit Reinharz — August 28, 2024
(The Conversation) — Jewish traditions to mark a marriage often involve ceremonies and celebrations before the big day, whether it’s a ritual bath or even a fiance’s conversion to Judaism.
The suspect in the Germany attack was motivated by Islamic State group ideology, prosecutors say
By Daniel Niemann and David Mchugh — August 28, 2024
SOLINGEN, Germany (AP) — The attack comes amid debate over immigration before regional elections on Sept. 1 in Germany’s Saxony and Thuringia regions where anti-immigration parties such as the populist Alternative for Germany are expected to do well.
In the face of Palestinian suffering, interfaith groups offer a protective presence
By Yonat Shimron — August 27, 2024
(RNS) — An interfaith delegation to Israel aims to provide support and accompaniment to Palestinians facing home demolitions, dislocation and violence from West Bank settlers.
Brazilians march for Eshu, an Afro-Brazilian deity, to protest Christian intolerance
By Eduardo Campos Lima — August 27, 2024
SÃO PAULO, Brazil (RNS) — A march in honor of the orisha Eshu drew some 150,000 people in São Paulo recently, considered a rebuke to the rise of evangelical Christians’ political power.
AME Church announces retirement settlement agreement during General Conference
By Adelle M. Banks — August 26, 2024
(RNS) — ‘Church employees who served their community for years deserve the retirement funds they were promised,’ responded a lawyer involved in the litigation.
The UN’s ‘memories’ of antisemitic terrorism are painfully faulty
By Avi Shafran — August 26, 2024
(RNS) — A tribute to the victims of terrorism at the world body's New York headquarters fails to mention attacks on Jews.
Harris promises a new way forward. Would that the pope would do the same.
By Phyllis Zagano — August 26, 2024
(RNS) — The Democratic convention brought more hope, especially to women, than Pope Francis.
Pope Francis condemns Ukraine’s ban on Russian Orthodox Church
By Claire Giangravé — August 26, 2024
(RNS) – 'Churches are not to be touched!' Pope Francis said after Ukraine approved a law banning churches tied to Russia.
Hundreds of police raid a religious compound in search of Filipino preacher wanted for child abuse
By Jim Gomez — August 26, 2024
MANILA, Philippines (AP) — Apollo Quiboloy, preacher of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ, claims to be the appointed son of God.
John Lennon’s inspiration for ‘Strawberry Fields’ bears new fruit for Salvation Army
By Catherine Pepinster — August 26, 2024
LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom (RNS) — The Salvation Army is exploiting a connection to the Beatles to draw more visitors to fund its mission and encourage people who would never consider stepping inside a church to find out about Christianity.
Italian teenager Carlo Acutis’ upcoming canonization reflects the Vatican’s desire to appeal to a new generation of Catholics
By Michael A. Di Giovine — August 23, 2024
(The Conversation) — Italian priest Padre Pio was one of the world’s most prayed-to saints in recent times. As Pio’s generation ages, the Catholic Church is turning to Carlo Acutis to appeal to a new demographic.
Palestinian allies make last-ditch push for speaker on the DNC stage
By Yonat Shimron — August 22, 2024
(RNS) — The DNC has so far denied a request to allow Americans to hear the stories of Palestinian people in Gaza whose lives have been upended by Israel’s massive military.
As AME Church meets for General Conference, retirement plan questions continue
By Adelle M. Banks — August 22, 2024
(RNS) — Some 2,900 people have joined an ‘AMEs for Reform’ Facebook group and others have issued open letters as part of ‘AMEs for Justice and Accountability.’
Ukraine’s ban targeting Russian-linked faith groups raises religious freedom concerns
By David I. Klein — August 21, 2024
(RNS) — Even some supporters of Ukraine see the ban as an overstep in the name of national security, a violation of religious freedom and a potential risk to continued foreign military aid.
Ukraine’s ban targeting Moscow-linked Orthodox Church risks US aid
By Katherine Kelaidis — August 21, 2024
(RNS) — Zelenskyy is about to test not only Ukraine’s carefully constructed global image but also its own path toward liberal democracy.
