Government & Politics
Do Christians who vote Republican hate their country?
By Mark Silk — March 20, 2024
(RNS) — Not to mention their religion.
Biden’s Muslim American judicial nominee threatened by smear campaign
By Yonat Shimron — March 19, 2024
(RNS) — Muslim Americans are significantly underrepresented as a proportion of the population in the nation's federal judiciary.
Netanyahu snaps back against growing US criticism after being accused of losing his way on Gaza
By Ravi Nessman and Tia Goldenberg — March 18, 2024
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — The U.S., which has provided key military and diplomatic support to Israel, also has expressed concerns about a planned Israeli assault on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
The British government wants to define extremism. Critics say it risks creating more division
By Jill Lawless and Sylvia Hui — March 15, 2024
LONDON (AP) — The move is in response to a surge in reports of antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate speech and what authorities call an increase in radicalization in Britain since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel.
India’s new citizenship law excludes Muslims. Here’s what to know
By Sheikh Saaliq — March 12, 2024
NEW DELHI (AP) — The implementation of the law has been one of the key poll promises of Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party in the run-up to the general election, which is scheduled to be held by May.
Mexico’s presidential candidates sign commitment for peace with church leaders concerned by violence
By MarÍa Teresa HernÁndez — March 12, 2024
MEXICO CITY (AP) — According to the church leaders, Mexico suffers from a “deep crisis of violence and social decomposition.”
Florida public schools could make use of chaplains under bill going to DeSantis
By Brendan Farrington — March 11, 2024
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The only requirements of a chaplain participating in a school program would be a background check and having their name and religious affiliation listed on the school website.
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.
