International
Israel pushes deeper into Gaza and frees Hamas captive; Netanyahu rejects calls for cease-fire
By Najib Jobain, Lee Keath, and Samy Magdy — October 30, 2023
KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Gaza Health Ministry later said three people were killed in the car that was hit. The Israeli military declined to comment on where its forces were deployed.
Palestinian Christians and Muslims have lived together in the region for centuries − and several were killed recently while sheltering in the historic Church of Saint Porphyrius
By Christine Shepardson — October 30, 2023
(The Conversation) — Many Christian and Muslim families in Gaza today were displaced following the creation of new Arab and Jewish states. Today, Palestinian Christians occupy a complicated place in this region.
Day of the Dead is taking on Halloween traditions, but the sacred holiday is far more than a ‘Mexican Halloween’
By Mathew Sandoval — October 30, 2023
(The Conversation) — Halloween’s influence is transforming popular festivities around Día de los Muertos and its ceremonial customs in rural and urban areas of Mexico in some fascinating ways.
Protesters occupy New York’s Grand Central to demand cease-fire in Gaza
By Fiona André — October 28, 2023
New York (RNS) — The event was organized by Jewish Voice for Peace, an anti-Zionist organization created in 1996 that also occupied Congress a week ago, asking for an immediate cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
UN warns Gaza blockade could force it to sharply cut relief missions as Israeli bombings rise
By Najib Jobain, Lee Keath, and Samy Magdy — October 25, 2023
RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — The U.N. says about 1.4 million of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents are now internally displaced, with almost 600,000 crowded into U.N. shelters.
Support for Israel becomes a top issue for Iowa evangelicals key to the first Republican caucuses
By Thomas Beaumont — October 25, 2023
NEWTON, Iowa (AP) — Support for Israel has leapt to a top priority for evangelicals in the leadoff Republican presidential caucuses now less than three months away, according to interviews with more than a dozen Iowa conservative activists.
My friend’s inspiring life was a reminder: We need to see each other’s humanity
By Greg M. Epstein — October 23, 2023
(RNS) — It's natural to retreat into our own pain and fear, and to stay there. But then none of us gets the world we long for and deserve.
Violence forced them to flee. Now faith sustains these migrants on their journey to the US
By MarÍa Teresa HernÁndez — October 23, 2023
TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — While many places in Mexico provide shelter for Venezuelans, Haitians and Central Americans, some shelters in Tijuana have seen an influx of Mexicans fleeing violence, extortion and threats by organized crime.
German leaders voice outrage and thousands rally in Berlin in reaction to rising antisemitism
By Associated Press — October 23, 2023
BERLIN (AP) — The protest comes as antisemitic incidents have been rising in Germany following the violent escalation of the war in Gaza.
Vegetarian or vegan? What about lab-grown beef? Hindus follow scriptures for diet advice
By Richa Karmarkar — October 20, 2023
(RNS) — Many Hindus, already vegetarian, are going vegan for health and religious reasons. But fake or lab-grown beef is still up for debate among religious authorities.
Nicaragua releases 12 Catholic priests and sends them to Rome, following agreement with the Vatican
By Associated Press — October 19, 2023
MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Vatican confirmed Thursday that the Holy See had been asked to receive the 12 priests who had been recently released
The pope’s absolute power, and the problems it can cause, are on display in 2 Vatican trials
By Nicole Winfield — October 19, 2023
VATICAN CITY (AP) — On Thursday, the Vatican’s long-running financial fraud, extortion and corruption trial resumes, with defense attorneys offering final arguments ahead of a verdict expected before the end of the year.
The German chancellor condemns a firebomb attack on a Berlin synagogue and vows protection for Jews
By Kirsten Grieshaber — October 19, 2023
BERLIN (AP) — Police said they were investigating “an attempted serious arson” in which two people approached the synagogue on foot and threw the firebombs, which burst on the sidewalk next to the building.
Why Hamas is selling its assault on Israel as a holy war
By Michele Chabin and Yonat Shimron — October 17, 2023
(RNS) — The reference to Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest site in Islam, was a rallying cry to unite Muslims everywhere.
Wracked by grief, US Jews gather to mourn, lament and raise money for Israel
By Yonat Shimron — October 12, 2023
(RNS) — Many American Jews are feeling an acute sense of trauma.
