Law & Court

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.

Mississippi’s top court says it won’t reconsider sex abuse conviction of former friar

By Associated Press — January 29, 2024
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — A judge sentenced him to 30 years on the first count and 15 years on the second count, to be served at the same time.

A pastor and a small Ohio city tussle over the legality of his 24/7 homeless ministry

By Patrick Orsagos and Mark Scolforo — January 23, 2024
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An attorney for Avell and the church, Jeremy Dys, said he thinks city leaders don't want the ministry in the middle of town, describing it as a “not in my backyard” issue and accusing officials of inventing problems.

Family of Atlanta church deacon who died after struggle with police officer files lawsuit

By Sudhin Thanawala — January 19, 2024
ATLANTA (AP) — Body camera video of Hollman's Aug. 10 arrest shows Kimbrough shocked him with a stun gun after he repeatedly said he could not breathe

Two Malaysian filmmakers are charged with offending the religious feelings of others in banned film

By Associated Press — January 18, 2024
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — The film, which debuted at a regional film festival in 2021, revolves around a young Muslim girl who explores other religions to figure out where her ailing mother would go when she dies.

Fueled by unprecedented border crossings, a record 3 million cases clog US immigration courts

By Giovanna Dell'orto — January 17, 2024
MIAMI (AP) — About 261,000 cases of migrants placed in removal proceedings are pending in the Miami court — the largest docket in the country.

Jehovah’s Witnesses go to trial against Norway after state registration is revoked

By Kathryn Post — January 16, 2024
(RNS) — ‘It’s certainly the most important trial about a religious freedom issue in Norway in decades,’ said Willy Fautré, director of Human Rights Without Frontiers.

Wisconsin sexual abuse case against defrocked Cardinal McCarrick suspended

By Associated Press — January 11, 2024
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — McCarrick, who did not appear in person for the hearing but listened in by phone, was charged with sexually assaulting an 18-year-old man more than 45 years ago, court records show

A Jew coined the word ‘genocide.’ Now it’s being used against the Jewish state.

By Yonat Shimron — January 10, 2024
(RNS) — Israel has vehemently denied the accusation that the International Court of Justice will begin hearing Thursday.

A spiritual leader in Nepal known as ‘Buddha Boy’ arrested on charges of rape and kidnapping

By Binaj Gurubacharya — January 10, 2024
KATHMANDU, Nepal (AP) — Bamjan is expected to be taken to a court in southern Nepal, where the alleged crimes occurred, to appear before a judge there.

‘Soldiers of Christ’ killing unsettles Korean Americans in Georgia and stokes fear of cults

By Sudhin Thanawala — January 8, 2024
(AP) — Community leaders say the case is a wake-up call for Korean Americans to be more vigilant about religious cults and potential threats to new arrivals from South Korea.

Judge dismisses Muslim couple’s lawsuit against school where daughter converted to Christianity

By Bob Smietana — January 4, 2024
(RNS) — The judge’s decision is the latest twist in a long-running dispute over religion at a public high school outside Chicago.

Southern Baptists settle abuse lawsuit against legendary conservative leader Paul Pressler

By Bob Smietana — December 29, 2023
(RNS) — Texas Judge Paul Pressler, a conservative activist and one of the founding fathers of the so-called conservative resurgence, had been accused of abusing young men for years.

Suspect in stabbing death of eastern Nebraska priest had no connection to priest, prosecutor says

By Josh Funk — December 15, 2023
FORT CALHOUN, Neb. (AP) — The 65-year-old priest called 911 before dawn Sunday to report that a man had broken into the rectory and was in his kitchen holding a knife.

Denmark widens terror investigation that coincides with arrests of alleged Hamas members in Germany

By Jan M. Olsen — December 15, 2023
COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Danish intelligence agency PET on Thursday announced the arrests of three people on suspicion of plotting to carry out “an act of terror."
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