Global Religious Freedom Commission Cites 28 Key Nations for ‘Ongoing Downward Trend’
(RNS) — The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom cited more than two dozen countries as main contributors to an “ongoing downward trend” in religious liberty worldwide and called on the Trump administration to prioritize the release of religious prisoners and assist in resettling refugees fleeing persecution.
What’s Auschwitz? 2/3 of Millennials Don’t Know It Was a Nazi Death Camp, Survey Reports
(RNS) — Despite the slaughter of nearly a million Jews — as well as hundreds of thousands of Poles, Roma, Soviet prisoners of war and others — at the World War II Nazi death camp, a survey commissioned by the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany found that 66 percent of Americans ages 18 to 34 “cannot identify what Auschwitz was.”
Report: Climate Migrants Could Top 143 Million by 2050
There could be 143 million climate migrants within three regions of the world by 2050 if trends hold and no action is taken to mitigate the impact of climate change, according to a World Bank report.
Report: Global Hunger Rises by 11 Million in 2017
Almost 124 million people in 51 nations experienced acute hunger in 2017, according to a report released on March 22.
Jewelry Industry’s Supply Chains Hide Worker Exploitation
The global jewelry industry relies on complex supply chains that hide worker exploitation, according to a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report released in January.
Jerusalem Tax Spat Pits Heaven Against Earth
JERUSALEM (RNS) - An ethereal city graced with sunlight so bright it turns the white stone skyline gold at sunset, Jerusalem is also an earthbound city whose teachers must be paid and whose garbage must be collected.
Rwanda Closes Hundreds of Churches and Arrests Pastors
NAIROBI, Kenya (RNS) — A move by Rwanda to shut down more than 700 churches in its capital city, allegedly for building safety, hygiene and noise violations, is prompting accusations that the government of President Paul Kagame is trampling on religious freedom.
Boko Haram Kidnaps 101 Schoolgirls 4 Years After Chibok
DAPCHI, Nigeria (BP) -- As many as 101 Nigerian schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists Feb. 19 are still missing after state government officials admitted to falsely announcing many of the girls' rescue.
As Cape Town’s Water Crisis Nears ‘Day Zero,’ Faith Groups Spring into Action
CAPE TOWN, South Africa (RNS) — The sound of running water, once considered soothing, now triggers anxiety in drought-stricken Cape Town, where residents are hoarding bottled water and showering over buckets in anticipation of “Day Zero.”
South Sudan May Spur Africa’s Largest Refugee Crisis
Ongoing violence in South Sudan is projected to result in "Africa's largest refugee crisis since the mid-1990s," the United Nations announced on Feb. 1.