World

PARIS (RNS) — To Americans who drop coins into the collection plate, write a check or perhaps text in their Sunday donation, the idea that the state would charge an annual tax to support their church can seem strange and off-putting indeed. Not so in Western Europe.

(The Conversation) — Sri Lanka’s Christians - about 7 percent of the country's total population - have a long history that reflects the dynamics of colonialism as well as present-day ethnic and religious tensions.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka (AP) — At least 207 people were killed and hundreds more wounded in eight bomb blasts that rocked churches and luxury hotels in or near Sri Lanka's capital on Easter Sunday.

According to a United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report, more than three-quarters of pre-primary-age children are not enrolled in pre-primary education programs in lower-income nations.

(RNS) — The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris was engulfed in flames on Monday (April 15). What is its history, its significance and how have cathedrals like it recovered from disaster?

(RNS) — A massive fire engulfed the 850-year-old Notre Dame Cathedral in the heart of Paris Monday evening (April 15), destroying the entire wooden frame.

Of the estimated 113 million food insecure persons in 2018 globally, 72 million lived in eight countries.

TARAZ, Kazakhstan (BP) -- A police raid on a Baptist worship service in Kazakhstan is the latest reported incident in a long string of religious liberty violations in the Central Asian country.

VENEZUELA (BP) -- Venezuela is in darkness in every possible way. Believers often feel helpless because, although they see -- and live -- the need, and have a great desire to help, they are enormously impeded by the electrical outages, their own critical situation and lack of resources.

BEIJING (BP) -- Beijing's Shouwang Church has become the fourth major underground church raided by authorities in China during the past seven months.