In the US, Syrian refugee pleads guilty in IS-inspired church bomb plot
Pittsburgh AP A Syrian refugee accused of plotting to bomb a Christian church in Pittsburgh and who was inspired by the Islamic State group pleaded guilty to a federal charge on Thursday and awaits sentencing. Pittsburgh resident Mustafa Mousab Alowemer, 23, entered the plea to attempting to provide material support and resources to the Islamic […]
In the US, death-row inmate sues for pastor’s touch during execution
Corpus Christi, TexasAP A Texas death-row inmate has sued state prison officials to allow his pastor to lay hands on him as he dies from a lethal injection. John Henry Ramirez, 37, is scheduled to be put to death in the Texas death chamber on 8th September, but his attorneys said in a federal lawsuit […]
US judiciary: Trump’s impact on courts likely to last long beyond his term
MARK SHERMAN, KEVIN FREKING and MATTHEW DALY, of Associated Press, report…
Five charged in toppling of Junipero Serra statue in northern California
RNS Five people linked to the removal of a statue of Junipero Serra at a California church in October have been charged with felony vandalism, a move that San Francisco Archbishop Salvatore J Cordileone applauded as a “breakthrough moment for Catholics”. Cordileone, in a statement on Friday, said the charges will be the first time that […]
Judge throws out extortion charges against megachurch leader
Los Angeles, USAP Citing insufficient evidence, a judge on Wednesday threw out extortion charges against the leader of a Mexican megachurch but left in place accustations of child rape and human trafficking. The California attorney general’s office failed to show that Naasón Joaquín García, the self-proclaimed apostle of La Luz del Mundo, extorted sex acts […]
US judge blocks 25 per cent capacity rule for religious services in New York
New York City, USAP A federal judge on Friday blocked New York state from enforcing coronavirus restrictions limiting indoor religious gatherings to 25 per cent capacity when other types of gatherings are limited to 50 per cent. Judge Gary Sharpe enjoined Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Attorney General Letitia […]
Jim Bakker seeks suit dismissal; ex-governor is his lawyer
O’Fallon, MissouriAP Missouri-based TV pastor Jim Bakker is asking a judge to dismiss a state lawsuit accusing him of falsely claiming that a health supplement could cure the coronavirus, and the lawyer representing Bakker is former Governor Jay Nixon. Republican Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt sued Bakker and Morningside Church Productions Inc in early March. […]
In the US, La Luz del Mundo minister says abuse allegations are false
Pomona, CaliforniaRNS A minister for La Luz Del Mundo, a Mexico-based Pentecostal movement that claims five million members, said new allegations of abuse against more than a dozen of its leaders are false and meant to disrespect their sacred celebration last week. “We find these accusations to be absolutely untrue and ridiculous,” said Jack Freeman, […]
US slavery victims denied compensation by courts – study
New York, USThomson Reuters Foundation Most human trafficking victims in the United States are not getting any compensation from their convicted captors, and the number of those awarded payment is shrinking, experts said on Thursday. Although trafficking victims are entitled by law to compensation, judges ordered perpetrators to pay in only 27 per cent of […]