NEWS OF THE WEEK
In an unprecedented move, Georgetown University in Washington announced that it will award preferential status in its admissions process to descendants of slaves it once owned. The Jesuit university also said it would offer a formal apology, create an institute … More
Mother Teresa of Calcutta is to be made a saint this Sunday (September 4), 20 years after her death at the age of 87. She founded the Roman Catholic order the Sisters of Charity to care for the poorest of … More
Pope Francis announced that caring for the environment should be added to the traditional Catholic works of mercy drawn from the Gospels and Christian tradition, such as feeding the hungry and sheltering the homeless. In a message released on Thursday … More
Burkinis, the swimsuit worn by many Muslim women, have been banned in a number of French towns. Now the United Nations human rights office is asking that the towns lift their bans on the burkini, calling them a “stupid reaction.” … More
Egypt passed the country’s first law detailing the rules for building a church. Christians, who make up about 10 percent of the population, hope the new law will allow them to build more churches. Local authorities often refused to give … More
Next week, the Bible Lands Museum in Jerusalem will open a new exhibition showcasing artifacts recovered from what archaeologists believe was the ancient city mentioned in the biblical story of David and Goliath. Experts say carbon dating determined that the … More
Hindus celebrate the birth (September 5) of the elephant god Ganesh, who represents prosperity and good fortune. The celebration traditionally lasts 10 days. And Muslims from all around the world are preparing for the hajj (September 10-15), their annual pilgrimage … More
Amatrice and other towns in Italy are recovering from a devastating earthquake that has left hundreds dead. A three-story convent on the edge of town was virtually destroyed by the quake, killing three nuns and four elderly women. Pope Francis … More
An Islamic extremist pleaded guilty in International Criminal Court to destroying shrines and damaging a mosque in Timbuktu, Mali. It was the court’s first prosecution of the destruction of cultural heritage site as a war crime. Legal experts point out … More
A federal judge blocked the Obama administration from enforcing new guidelines intended to expand restroom access for transgender students. The judge said the government had not complied with federal law when it issued the new directives. The Obama administration had … More
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