Megachurch pastor Bill Hybels resigns, calls sexual accusations ‘flat-out lies’
USA Today The pastor of a powerful Chicago-area megachurch has resigned after a series of sexual misconduct claims he described as “flat-out lies.” Bill Hybels, 66, founded Willow Creek Community Church more than four decades ago, building it into an eight-campus evangelical Christian megachurch with a 7,000-seat worship centre. Rev Hybels has been dogged in recent […]
Rich nations ramp up anti-slavery funding yet businesses urged to do more
Thomson Reuters Foundation The world’s top economies have ramped up spending on the fight to eradicate modern-day slavery, according to new United Nations figures, but campaigners said businesses needed to play a greater role by ensuring their supply chains are slave-free. Upcoming UN data given exclusively to the Thomson Reuters Foundation showed overseas aid spending […]
Thousands held in “unlawful and arbitrary” detention in Libya facing torture and abuse, says report
Thousands of people being held in unlawful arbitrary detention by armed groups in Libya are being tortured and abused, according to a UN report released this week. Released on Tuesday, the report – compiled by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in cooperatioon with the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, estimates that […]
PAKISTAN: COURT RULING AIMS TO PUBLICLY IDENTIFY ALL RELIGIOUS MINORITIES
NAILA INYAT reports for Religion News Service on last month’s ruling that all citizens must declare their religious faith before joining state-run institutions…
UN religious freedom envoy to assess Tunisia
World Watch Monitor The UN’s special rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief will assess whether security measures to combat terrorism in Tunisia are limiting freedom of religion. Ahmed Shaheed is scheduled for a 10 day visit the capital, Tunis, and the island of Djerba, where he will discuss human rights issues, including those of […]
Aid groups seek greater support for Rohingya refugees facing trauma, hunger
Thomson Reuters Foundation Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are struggling from mental health issues, including suicidal thoughts, while almost half of the children are malnourished, according to aid agencies racing to boost services. Focus groups involving 300 people living in the densely populated “mega-camp” in Cox’s Bazar District found that 38 per cent of children and […]