Government & Politics
An effort to get aid to Gaza by sea is moving ahead. But the first ship is still waiting in Cyprus
By Samy Magdy and Wafaa Shurafa — March 11, 2024
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel says it welcomes the sea deliveries and would inspect Gaza-bound cargo before it leaves Cyprus.
Putin’s crackdown casts a wide net, ensnaring the LGBTQ+ community, lawyers and many others
By Dasha Litvinova — March 7, 2024
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Prominent rights groups in Russia have been outlawed or classified as agents of foreigners.
Biden restores faith-based initiative’s religious liberty protections — more or less
By Mark Silk — March 6, 2024
(RNS) — Religious freedom safeguards put in place by Obama and removed by Trump are back, mostly.
My Malaysia ordeal shows how religion can fuse with populist nationalism to silence dissent
By Ahmet T. Kuru — March 5, 2024
(The Conversation) — Religion and nationalism were once ideologies at odds. Now, they are increasingly bedfellows, with populism often the glue.
Biden administration finalizes rule on religious liberty protections
By Adelle M. Banks — March 1, 2024
(RNS) — 'Today’s announcement establishes uniform policies to safeguard Americans from religious discrimination in social services,' said Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra.
Georgia Republicans say religious liberty needs protection, but Democrats warn of discrimination
By Jeff Amy — March 1, 2024
ATLANTA (AP) — Opponents warn that people and private groups will use the law to do things like deny birth control coverage to their employees, and that the legislation could blow holes in local laws that ban discrimination.
These US citizens went to fight for Israel. Now they’re hostages in Gaza.
By Yonat Shimron — February 29, 2024
(RNS) — An estimated 23,380 American citizens currently serve in Israeli ranks. Three are now hostage in Gaza.
How Hakeem Jeffries’ Black Baptist upbringing and deep-rooted faith shapes his House leadership
By Darren Sands — February 28, 2024
WASHINGTON (AP) — For Jeffries, 53, his leadership in the House traces back to his formative days growing up and serving at Cornerstone, a historically Black congregation which he still attends.
Alabama IVF decision is bad law with religious filigree
By Mark Silk — February 26, 2024
(RNS) — Being a religious conservative doesn't necessarily make you a theocrat.
UK Conservatives suspend a lawmaker after he accused London’s mayor of being controlled by Islamists
By Danica Kirka — February 26, 2024
LONDON (AP) — The controversy comes as the Israel-Hamas war fuels tensions in British society.
Catholics rally around Annunciation House after lawsuit
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — February 23, 2024
RNS — 'Our church, our city and our country owe Annunciation House a deep debt of gratitude,' El Paso Bishop Mark Seitz wrote in a statement.
Georgia bill aims to protect religious liberty. Opponents say it’s a license to discriminate
By Jeff Amy — February 23, 2024
ATLANTA (AP) — That religious protection bill resurfaced Thursday eight years after lawmakers passed a different version of the measure.
Belarus cracks down on clergy who supported protests of its authoritarian leader
By Yuras Karmanau — February 23, 2024
TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — In the last three years, at least 74 clergy have been arrested, fined or deported, according to the Viasna human rights center, even before the new law took effect.
At National Cathedral, leaders of different parties, perspectives call for civility
By Adelle M. Banks — February 22, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore spoke about their participation in the ‘Disagree Better’ project and noted their efforts to seek bipartisan solutions.
Texas attorney general moves to shut down Catholic migrant shelters
By Aleja Hertzler-McCain — February 21, 2024
RNS — The lawsuit from Ken Paxton’s office ‘seeks to revoke Annunciation House’s authorization to do business in Texas and asks the court to appoint a receiver to liquidate their assets.’
