Kidnapped schoolgirl Leah Sharibu appeals for rescue in audio recording, say reports
Morning Star News In an audio recording revealed this week, kidnapped Christian schoolgirl Leah Sharibu appeals to the government of Nigeria to win her release from Islamic extremist group Boko Haram, according to several published sources. Boko Haram released more than 100 schoolgirls about four weeks after kidnapping them on 19th February but held Leah, […]
Rising carbon levels threaten diets of hundreds of millions of poor
New York, USThomson Reuters Foundation Rising carbon emissions could make vital food crops from wheat to rice less nutritious and endanger the health of hundreds of millions of the world’s poorest, scientists said on Monday. Certain staple crops grown in open fields with elevated carbon dioxide levels had up to 17 per cent lower levels […]
BOOKS: ENGAGING IN A DEEPER WAY WITH JESUS
NILS VON KALM finds Sheridan’s Voysey’s book, ‘Resilient’, helped him gain new-found inspiration from Jesus’ famous ‘Sermon on the Mount’…
Africa, home to growing number of Christians and Muslims, contends with atheists, too
Nairobi, KenyaRNS When the doors swing open every Sunday morning, churches in Africa welcome thousands of new followers. On this deeply religious continent, both Christianity and Islam are on the rise. But small groups of determined atheists are challenging Africa’s grip on faith while seeking recognition and more followers. Harrison Mumia, president of Atheists in […]
UN report calls for Myanmar generals to be investigated for genocide
Myanmar’s top military figures must be investigated and prosecuted for genocide as well as for crimes against humanity and war crimes, according to a UN fact-finding mission. In a report handed down on Monday, the UN Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar said it found patterns of “gross human rights violations and abuses” committed in Kachin, […]
GENESIS AND WOMEN
Many assume Genesis is uncomplimentary of women. But it is not so; Genesis has a very high view of women. Equals – Adam and Eve. PICTURE: From a stained glass windown in Saint-Julien Cathedral, Le Mans, France (Selbymay – licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0/image cropped) The first mention of females is to declare that they are made in […]
IRELAND: POPE FRANCIS CLOSES VISIT WITH APPEAL TO DIVIDED CATHOLICS
CHRISTINE A SCHELLER, writing for Religion News Service, reports on the Pope’s historic visit to Ireland last weekend…
In battles over land rights, activists are branded as criminals, says UN
Thomson Reuters Foundation Governments and corporations are increasingly using legal persecution to portray indigenous activists as criminals and terrorists, putting them at heightened risk of violence, the United Nations said on Monday. Indigenous leaders and campaigners fighting to protect land from development are being stymied and silenced by rising militarization, national security acts and anti-terrorism […]
ESSAY: WHY IT’S SO HARD TO HOLD PRIESTS ACCOUNTABLE FOR SEX ABUSE
In an article first published on The Conversation, CAROLYN M WARNER, associate director of graduate studies and a professor at Arizona State University, argues that canon law is part of the problem when it comes to holding priests accountable for abuse…
THIS LIFE: TIME TO CLEAN OUT THE CLUTTER
US columnist CAROL ROUND, in an article first published on ASSIST News Service, writes of the importance of letting go…