RNS staff
RNS staff is an author at Religion News Service.
All Stories by RNS staff
Obama meets victims, renews call for gun control
By RNS staff — June 16, 2016
Obama renewed his call for gun control legislation after a series of emotional private meetings in Orlando with the families of victims.
American Muslims do report extremist threats, officials say
By RNS staff — June 16, 2016
Muslim-Americans have repeatedly informed authorities of fellow Muslims they fear might be turning to extremism, law enforcement officials say, contrary to a claim by presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump this week.
Trump backs surveillance of mosques
By RNS staff — June 16, 2016
Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is calling for surveillance of mosques as part of U.S. law enforcement efforts to prevent terrorism, and standing by his remarks on banning Muslim immigrants, which others in his party have criticized.
Obama meets Dalai Lama despite Chinese objections
By RNS staff — June 16, 2016
The meeting was the fourth between Obama and the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader since Obama took office.
Pakistani clerics declare ‘honor killing’ against Islam
By RNS staff — June 13, 2016
LAHORE, Pakistan - Hundreds of Pakistanis, the vast majority women and girls, are murdered every year by relatives after being accused of damaging a family's honor.
50 people killed in massacre at Florida gay nightclub
By RNS staff — June 12, 2016
ORLANDO, Fla. — The shooter was identified as Omar S. Mateen, a man who a senior FBI official said might have had leanings toward Islamic State militants. Officials cautioned that the Islamist tie required further investigation.
Italian newspaper draws criticism with ‘Mein Kampf’ giveaway
By RNS staff — June 11, 2016
MILAN — Il Giornale, a center-right daily owned by the family of former premier Silvio Berlusconi, said the decision to distribute the edition aimed "to study what is evil to avoid its return."
Hindu hacked to death in latest attack on Bangladesh minorities
By RNS staff — June 10, 2016
DHAKA — Nitya Ranjan Pandey, 60, who had volunteered at the monastery for 40 years, was taking a walk in the northwestern district of Pabna when he was attacked, police said.
Charleston church shooter seeks trial by court instead of jury
By RNS staff — June 10, 2016
(Reuters) The white man accused of killing nine black parishioners in a racially motivated attack at a church in South Carolina a year ago said he would like to waive his right to a jury trial, opting instead to be tried and sentenced by the court. The court filing on Thursday (June 9) said federal […]
Pope to visit Auschwitz during trip to Poland in July
By RNS staff — June 9, 2016
(RNS) The visit will take place during Francis' trip to Krakow for an international gathering of Catholic youth.
Hindu priest in Bangladesh hacked to death by suspected Islamists
By RNS staff — June 8, 2016
DHAKA -- Since February last year, militants have killed more than 30 people in Bangladesh, including members of religious minorities, liberal bloggers and academics.
Police question French cardinal over pedophile priest
By RNS staff — June 8, 2016
Cardinal Philippe Barbarin, 65, who has denied covering up the activities of the Rev. Bernard Preynat, was questioned as a witness by officers of the child and family protection brigade at a police station in Lyon.
Do no harm to life on Mars? Ethical limits of the ‘Prime Directive’
By RNS staff — May 30, 2016
One of the most profound concerns is about the moral status of extraterrestrial life forms.
German Protestant bishop wants Islam classes in all state schools
By RNS staff — May 29, 2016
BERLIN (Reuters) Bishop Heinrich Bedford-Strohm told the Heilbronner Stimme newspaper that teaching Islam in schools nationwide would give Muslim pupils a chance to take a critical approach to their own religion.
Iran says its pilgrims will not attend hajj in Saudi Arabia
By RNS staff — May 29, 2016
DUBAI (Reuters) Saudi Arabia, which oversees the pilgrimage to Mecca by more than 2 million Muslims from around the world, accused Iran of effectively depriving its citizens from the religious duty.
