RNS Updated Budget—Friday, August 20, 2021

After years of cuts to the number of refugees allowed into the U.S., the six faith-based refugee resettlement agencies are scrambling to meet the needs of an anticipated rush of Afghans arriving in a matter of weeks. By […]

NEWS STORY
RNS-Refugee-Folo: As vulnerable Afghans flee Kabul, US faith groups prepare to aid them
(RNS) — After years of cuts to the number of refugees allowed into the U.S., the six faith-based refugee resettlement agencies are scrambling to meet the needs of an anticipated rush of Afghans arriving in a matter of weeks. By Jack Jenkins. 1,200 words. (categories: a, i)

NEWS STORY
RNS-Orthodox-TV: How Orthodox Jews became a streaming TV hit
(RNS) — Orthodox Jews are having a moment. A surge in recent TV shows about Haredi Jews, the ones commonly distinguished by their long black suits and hats, twisted locks of hair (for men) and wigs (for women), are for the first time competing with shows like “Bridgerton,” “Ted Lasso” and “Hacks.” By Yonat Shimron. 1,000 words. (category: a)

NEWS STORY
RNS-Ethiopia-Churches: Fate of Ethiopia’s rock churches of Lalibela raises concerns among U.S. Ethiopians
(RNS) — (RNS) — The fate of the ancient rock-hewn churches of northern Ethiopia has become a grave concern for Ethiopian Americans, as a civil war between the government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Tigray rebels imperil the fate of many religious sites across the country. By Joseph Hammond. 480 words. (category: i)


NEWS STORY
RNS-Graham-Prayer: Franklin Graham calls for a day of prayer for people of Afghanistan
(RNS) — Franklin Graham, who has been sharply critical of President Biden’s pullout from Afghanistan, has called for a day of prayer for the people of Afghanistan on Sunday (Aug. 22). By Yonat Shimron. 450 words. (category: a, i)

COMMENTARY
RNS-Sundaram-Oped: Namaste nationalism: Yoga, whiteness and extremism on Jan. 6
(RNS) — The crowd at the U.S. Capitol insurrection projected a particular kind of white cultural identity at play: MAGA hats, flannel and camouflage patterns, Confederate flags.  But there was another subtle marker of whiteness present on Jan. 6. Enthusiasm for yoga. By Dheepa Sundaram. 780 words. (category: k)

COMMENTARY
RNS-Randall-Oped: How to remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Sign the nuclear weapons treaty
(RNS) — As long as nuclear weapons exist, there is a threat of use or the possibility of an accident with these weapons that harbor devastating destruction. These threats can be eliminated by banning all nuclear weapons.  By Diane Randall. 700 words. (category: k)