International
Excitement and skepticism meet Algeria’s decision to import beef to meet high demand during Ramadan
By Associated Press — March 11, 2024
ALGIERS, Algeria (AP) — For Algerians flocking to new imported meat stores staffed by butchers in white coats, the arrival of beef from as far away as Australia has raised both excitement and skepticism.
Tattooing has held a long tradition in Christianity − dating back to Jesus’ crucifixion
By Gustavo Morello — March 7, 2024
(The Conversation) — Historically, many Christians got tattoos around Holy Week − usually a cross − to honor Christ’s martyrdom.
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.
Swiss teenager arrested on suspicion of stabbing an Orthodox Jewish man on a Zurich street
By Associated Press — March 5, 2024
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The Swiss Organization of Jewish Communities said it was “deeply shocked that a community member fell victim to such an attack.”
Israeli peace activists are more anguished than ever − in a movement that has always been diverse and divided, with differing visions of ‘peace’
By Atalia Omer — March 5, 2024
(The Conversation) — Secular Jewish groups have historically made up the majority of solidarity and peace groups. But Palestinian citizens and observant Jews are also key.
French police hunt an assailant who attacked a man leaving a Paris synagogue
By Associated Press — March 5, 2024
PARIS (AP) — A sharp rise in antisemitic acts in France has been reported in the wake of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel.
The Church of England aims to raise more than $1 billion to address its past links to slavery
By Jill Lawless — March 5, 2024
LONDON (AP) — The fund was established as part of efforts by the Anglican church to reckon with its historic complicity in the trans-Atlantic slave trade
How Orthodox Jewish women are creating a parallel entertainment market
By Yonat Shimron — March 4, 2024
(RNS) — Jessica Roda's new book explores how women in Haredi communities are embracing and creating digital arts tailored to the gender-segregated world of women.
Dating app burnout and COVID-19 make Indian matchmaking cool again
By Richa Karmarkar — March 1, 2024
(RNS) — Indian matchmaking is having a comeback in the United States, say elite matchmakers.
Israel-Hamas war brings back pain to Argentine Jewish community decades after major bombing attack
By MarÍa Teresa HernÁndez — March 1, 2024
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — For many who lost friends and family to the attack, time has not healed their pain.
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.
Hindu American organizations adopt a new short film on anti-Hindu ignorance
By Richa Karmarkar — February 28, 2024
(RNS) — Director Ravi Chand’s “Namaste Yoga,” released worldwide in late January, was created to highlight the challenges Hindu children face in the Western world.
Anti-immigrant pastors may be drawing attention – but faith leaders, including some evangelicals, are central to the movement to protect migrant rights
By Brad Christerson, Robert Chao Romero, and Alexia Salvatierra — February 26, 2024
(The Conversation) — Religious beliefs can provide motivation, hope and endurance in the long and often discouraging task of mobilizing people for social change.
Israeli officials to meet on a proposed pause in Gaza while the Cabinet is set to OK a Rafah plan
By Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy — February 26, 2024
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Negotiators face an unofficial deadline of the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan around March 10.
German bishops to head to Rome after Vatican demands they scrap a vote on contentious lay council
By Nicole Winfield and Geir Moulson — February 26, 2024
ROME (AP) — A regular meeting of the German Bishops’ Conference this week had been expected to vote on the statutes of a committee that would have prepared for the future council.
