Law & Court
Iraq Shiite cleric behind parliament sit-in steps up demands
By Samya Kullab — August 10, 2022
BAGHDAD (AP) — Al-Sadr's political rivals in the Coordination Framework, an alliance of Iran-backed parties, said earlier that the parliament would have to convene to dissolve itself.
Amy Spitalnick, who took on neo-Nazis in Charlottesville, is moving to Bend the Arc
By Yonat Shimron — August 9, 2022
(RNS) — In November, Spitalnick will become CEO of the left-leaning organization that blends community organizing, political advocacy and leadership training.
Albuquerque killings send fear through Islamic communities
By Mariam Fam and Stefanie Dazio — August 8, 2022
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Earlier this week, police confirmed that local detectives and federal law enforcement officers were looking for possible ties among the separate crimes.
In Sri Lanka, Buddhist monks’ involvement in protests raises familiar questions
By Haley Barker — August 4, 2022
(RNS) — The connection between monks and political figures has reportedly diminished some monks’ respectability.
Christian flag in speech battle flies, briefly, over Boston
By Mark Pratt — August 3, 2022
BOSTON (AP) — The Supreme Court case revolved around whether the flag-raisings were an act of the government or private parties.
UN court to rule on jurisdiction in Rohingya genocide case
By Mike Corder — July 22, 2022
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Lawyers representing Myanmar argued in February that the case should be tossed out because the world court only hears cases between states and the Rohingya complaint was brought by Gambia on behalf of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Vatican says they’re gifts; Indigenous groups want them back
By Nicole Winfield — July 21, 2022
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Indigenous groups from Canada, who were shown a few items in the collection when they traveled to the Vatican last spring to meet with Francis, question how some of the works were actually acquired and wonder what else may be in storage after decades of not being on public display.
UN slams killings, rights abuses under Afghanistan’s Taliban
By Rahim Faiez — July 21, 2022
ISLAMABAD (AP) — The report said as many as 700 people have been killed and 1,400 wounded since mid-August 2021, when the Taliban overran the Afghan capital of Kabul.
Religious liberty has a long and messy history – and there is a reason Americans feel strongly about it
By James Hudnut-Beumler and James P. Byrd — July 19, 2022
(The Conversation) — Historians of American religious history explain why the Supreme Court’s recent religious liberty rulings are an example of America’s long struggle to define religious freedom.
Parent sues Australian cardinal over child sex abuse charge
By Associated Press — July 14, 2022
(AP) — Both boys were 13 years old at the time.
Some Muslims, Jews welcome court ruling allowing football coach to pray
By Yonat Shimron — July 8, 2022
(RNS) — Some minority faith leaders are wondering if government neutrality on religion is such a good thing.
There is no one Islamic interpretation on ethics of abortion, but the belief in God’s mercy and compassion is a crucial part of any consideration
By Zahra Ayubi — July 8, 2022
(The Conversation) — Islamic views on abortion are based on diverse interpretations of what’s right and wrong when it comes to the body.
Judges dismiss Jewish couple’s suit alleging adoption bias
By Jonathan Mattise — July 5, 2022
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Americans United for Separation of Church & State, which filed the lawsuit in January on the couple's behalf, plans to appeal the ruling.
There’s no ignoring the Supreme Court’s motivations in ruling against the EPA
By Susan Hendershot — July 1, 2022
(RNS) — SCOTUS is showing a blatant disregard not only for those it supposedly serves, but also for God’s beautiful creation.
Anti-Roe justices a part of Catholicism’s conservative wing
By Peter Smith — July 1, 2022
The Supreme Court was dominated by Protestant justices for much of its history. The majority have been Catholic since the 1990s, and for several years in the last decade, the court had six Catholic justices, three Jews and no Protestants.
