New Zealand public hearings highlight dark history of child abuse
Wellington, New ZealandReuters Public hearings in New Zealand on abuse of young people in state and faith-based care have exposed a horrific history of neglect and exploitation as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern seeks to make the country the best place in the world to be a child. Ardern last year announced a Royal Commission of […]
SNAPSHOT: THE DEAD SEA, ISRAEL
See DAVE HERRING’s image…
Museum of the Bible displays medieval Hebrew Pentateuch
RNS A rare medieval Pentateuch manuscript that had been in private collections for years will go on display Friday at the Museum of the Bible. The volume, which dates to around the year 1000, was acquired two years ago by the Green Collection, headed by billionaire Steve Green of the Hobby Lobby arts and crafts […]
Out of school, in the dictionary: ‘Climate strike’ declared ‘word of the year’
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation With climate protests surging around the world, Collins Dictionary has declared ‘climate strike’ its 2019 ‘word of the year’, noting the term’s use has soared 100 times higher than in previous years. The Glasgow-based company bases its choice on an annual search of websites, newspapers, magazines and social media to see […]
Singapore tackles “pop up” sex but little help seen for victims
Kuala Lumpur, MalaysiaThomson Reuters Foundation Singapore is clamping down on landlords whose rental flats serve as “pop up” brothels but campaigners said on Thursday it would do little to help the women who are trafficked into sex work. The government announced tougher sentences this week in a bid to stamp out a trend for temporary […]
Quick facts – Heat is on to bring cooling to one billion people without it
London, UKThomson Reuters Foundation Access to cooling technologies is crucial for reasons far beyond just staying comfortable on a hot day. As global temperatures continue to creep upward as a result of climate change, a little over one billion people face threats because they lack cooling methods, said a report released on Thursday by international […]
URBAN MISSION: AUSTRALIAN COUPLE LAUNCH CONSULTANCY TO HELP CHURCHES CONNECT WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES IN SYDNEY
CHRISTOPHER GILBERT speaks with husband and wife team Armen Gakavian and Karina Kreminski about their new Sydney-based urban mission consultancy, Neighbourhood Matters…
US comedian John Crist’s Netflix special on hold amid sexual harassment allegations
RNS John Crist’s upcoming Netflix holiday special is on hold after allegations the popular comedian has used his celebrity status and Christian reputation to sexually harass women. A Netflix spokesperson confirmed to Religion News Service on Thursday that the status of Crist’s special, entitled I Ain’t Prayin’ for That, is now up in the air. […]
ESSAY: FIVE THINGS KANYE KNOWS
US Catholic commentator CHARLES C CAMOSY, in an article first published on Religion News Service, reflects on Kanye West’s “improbable and dramatic turn to traditional Christianity”…