People
T.D. Jakes mentioned briefly in suit against music mogul Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
By Adelle M. Banks — April 2, 2024
(RNS) — Jakes, a Dallas-based megachurch pastor, is not among the defendants in the suit, which include several record labels.
A year after deadly Nashville shooting, Christian school relies on faith — and adopted dogs
By Travis Loller — April 1, 2024
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Now, as the school faces the first anniversary of the tragedy and moves back into the building where it happened, chaplain Matthew Sullivan says one positive aspect of the past year has been the bond that has grown between families.
Israelis stage largest protest since war began to increase pressure on Netanyahu
By Melanie Lindman, Wafaa Shurafa, and And Samy Magdy — April 1, 2024
JERUSALEM (AP) — Protesters blame Netanyahu for the failures of Oct. 7 and say the deep political divisions over his attempted judicial overhaul last year weakened Israel ahead of the attack.
Senator Joseph Lieberman’s real legacy to America and the Jews
By Jeffrey Salkin — March 29, 2024
(RNS) — A great American, and a great Jew, has died.
Pope Francis skips Palm Sunday homily at start of busy Holy Week that will test his health
By Nicole Winfield — March 26, 2024
ROME (AP) — The Holy Week schedule is challenging for popes even under the best of circumstances.
A Chinese pastor is released after 7 years in prison, only to find himself unable to get an ID
By Huizhong Wu — March 26, 2024
BEIJING (AP) — Cao, who was born and raised in Changsha, had dedicated his life to spreading Christianity in China, where the religion is strictly regulated.
Religious affairs expert Thomas Bowen moves from city of Washington to White House
By Adelle M. Banks — March 22, 2024
WASHINGTON (RNS) — While shifting to national and international issues, he will still be acting as a clergyperson in the city that he has long served.
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.
Jurors weigh fate of Afghan refugee charged with murder in a case that shocked Muslim community
By Susan Montoya Bryan — March 18, 2024
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Muhammad Syed is charged with three counts of murder and four charges of tampering with evidence.
Bulgarians pay their last respects to the late Orthodox patriarch
By Associated Press — March 18, 2024
SOFIA, Bulgaria (AP) — Neophyte, who became patriarch in 2013, was the first head of the Bulgarian church to be chosen after the fall of Communism in 1989.
Caribbean musician Sherwin Gardner’s viral hit song surpasses 1 billion TikTok views
By Adelle M. Banks — March 15, 2024
ROCKVILLE, Maryland (RNS) — ‘It's like a prayer,’ Gardner said of his hit song. ‘God already kind of answered that — within the first two weeks of the year.’
Pope acknowledges criticism and health issues but says in his new memoir he has no plans to retire
By Nicole Winfield — March 15, 2024
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Francis, who had part of one lung removed as a young man, has been battling bronchitis, the flu and a cold on and off this winter and for the past two weeks has asked an aide to read most of his speeches.
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.
In ‘Bob Marley: One Love’ film, what’s his faith? And why is marijuana deemed holy to the Rastafari?
By Luis Andres Henao — March 14, 2024
NEW YORK (AP) — The Rastafari message was spread across the world in the 1970s by Marley and Peter Tosh, another Jamaican reggae legend and globally known Rastafari.
Yeezy shoe sales lead Adidas to plan to donate $150 million to anti-hate groups
By Associated Press — March 14, 2024
LONDON (AP) — The company has made donations to the Anti-Defamation League and the Philonise & Keeta Floyd Institute for Social Change.
