World

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — When Cyclone Idai struck the Southeast Africa coast last week, it swept away everything in its path, including churches, schools and homes in the Mozambican port city of Beira and beyond.

Women are fully equal to men under the law in only six nations, according to a World Bank report published in late February. The U.S. was ranked 65 out of 187, receiving a score of 83.75 – the same rating as The Bahamas, Kenya and Malawi.

There are just a few countries in Europe where Baptists are not yet present; until recently, Cyprus was in this number.

(RNS) — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said people of all faiths will have “something to say” about the Israeli-Palestinian peace plan the White House is expected to announce after Israel’s elections in two weeks.

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — At least 49 people were killed in mass shootings at two mosques full of worshippers attending Friday prayers on what the prime minister called "one of New Zealand's darkest days."

Only 35 percent of the world’s children have social safety net protections available to them, according to a joint report published Feb. 6 by the International Labor Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

JOS, Nigeria (BP) -- At least 32 people were killed in a Muslim Fulani herder attack on a Christian area of north-central Nigeria on Tuesday (Feb. 26), sources told a Morning Star News correspondent.

MOSCOW (RNS) —  A Russian court has sentenced a Danish member of the Jehovah’s Witnesses to six years on extremism charges in a case that has triggered widespread international criticism. A human rights organization warned that the imprisonment of Christensen could trigger a “wave” of arrests of members of other minority religious groups.

NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — The government of the Central African Republic and 14 rebel groups signed a peace agreement Wednesday (Feb. 6), raising hope for an end to one of Africa’s bloody and complex conflicts.

JERUSALEM (RNS) — When pieces of ancient pottery and never-before-seen scroll fragments began making their way to the antiquities black market a few years ago, archaeologists suspected that looters had found a new cache of Dead Sea Scrolls.