International
Pope and Argentine President Milei embrace after pontiff canonizes Argentina’s first female saint
By Nicole Winfield, Gianfranco Stara, and Alessandra Tarantino — February 12, 2024
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Mama Antula was an 18th century laywoman who ministered to the poor and helped keep Jesuit spirituality alive in Argentina after the religious order — to which the pope belongs — was suppressed.
What is Lunar New Year and how is it celebrated?
By Deepa Bharath — February 8, 2024
Lunar New Year begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends 15 days later on the first full moon
It’s the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese zodiac − associated with good fortune, wisdom and success
By Mario Poceski — February 8, 2024
(The Conversation) — According to the Chinese zodiac signs, each year in the lunar cycle is associated with a particular animal. The cycle repeats every 12 years.
The divine matchmaker in Chinese mythology − Old Man Under the Moon − who helps couples find love
By Megan Bryson — February 8, 2024
(The Conversation) — Young people in China are no longer settling into marriages arranged by their parents. But they are still looking for blessings from Chinese gods to find everlasting love.
Divine intervention? Ivorians say God is on their team’s side after ‘miracles’ at Africa Cup
By CiarÁn Fahey — February 8, 2024
ABIDJAN, Ivory Coast (AP) — At the Chapelle de l’externat Saint Paul for a service hours before the match, many worshippers wore the national team's distinctive orange jersey.
Sikh Americans, citing ‘transnational repression,’ vote for an independent homeland
By Richa Karmarkar — February 1, 2024
(RNS) — More and more Sikh Americans are fearful about an ‘alarming rise’ in transnational repression, according to several Sikh advocacy organizations.
Auschwitz survivor decries rise of the far right and increased antisemitism in Germany
By Associated Press — January 31, 2024
BERLIN (AP) — Germany saw a significant increase in anti-Jewish incidents following the attack on Israel.
Pope names 3 Chinese bishops in a week and reorganizes diocese under a controversial 2018 accord
By Associated Press — January 31, 2024
ROME (AP) — The Vatican said all nominations took place “within the framework” of the 2018 Vatican-China accord.
When is criticism of Israel antisemitic? A scholar of modern Jewish history explains
By Joshua Shanes — January 31, 2024
(The Conversation) — In recent years, the relationship between antisemitism and anti-Zionism has taken on renewed importance and competing definitions of antisemitism have emerged. What is antisemitism?
The opening of India’s new Rama temple made waves – but here’s what the central ritual actually meant
By Vasudha Narayanan — January 31, 2024
(The Conversation) — A scholar of Hinduism explains the importance of the consecration ritual, which is believed to bring the presence of the divine into the temple.
Here’s a look at the 6 things the UN is ordering Israel to do about its operation in Gaza
By Associated Press — January 29, 2024
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — The decision was one step in a broader case that the court is considering about South Africa’s accusation that Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza.
Nazi genocides of Jews and Roma were entangled from the start – and so are their efforts at Holocaust remembrance today
By Ari Joskowicz — January 29, 2024
(The Conversation) — Many young people today know little about the murder of European Jews during the Holocaust, and even less about the murder of Romani communities.
France’s biggest Muslim school went from accolades to defunding – showing a key paradox in how the country treats Islam
By Vincent Geisser, Françoise Lorcerie, and Carol Ferrara — January 29, 2024
(The Conversation) — Some of the measures the French government has taken to fight radicalization can do the opposite, three social scientists argue.
Who was St. Brigid and why is she inspiring many 1,500 years after her death?
By Peter Smith — January 29, 2024
The commemorations come a year after Ireland began honoring her with an annual public holiday — the first Irish woman to be recognized with one.
Nazi death camp survivors mark 79th anniversary of Auschwitz liberation on Holocaust Remembrance Day
By Czarek Sokolowski — January 29, 2024
OSWIECIM, Poland (AP) — About 20 survivors from various camps set up by Nazi Germany around Europe laid wreaths and flowers and lit candles at the Death Wall in Auschwitz.
