Mexico number three in virus deaths; storm could hinder US response
AP Mexico now has the third most COVID-19 deaths in the world, behind Brazil and the United States, where a hurricane bearing down on the East Coast on Saturday is threatening to complicate efforts to contain the virus. Hurricane Isaias’ imminent arrival forced the closure of some outdoor testing sites even though Florida has become a […]
South Korea arrests leader of church with big cluster
Seoul, South Korea AP South Korean prosecutors arrested the elderly leader of a secretive religious sect Saturday as part of an investigation into allegations that the church hampered the government’s anti-virus response after thousands of worshippers were infected in February and March. Prosecutors in the central city of Suwaon have been questioning 88-year-old Lee Man-hee, […]
Gunmen kill, wound dozens at South Sudan church, jeopardising peace talks
Religion Unplugged At least 23 people were killed this week and 20 others were wounded after unidentified gunmen stormed an Anglican church compound in South Sudan’s Anglican Diocese of Athooch, in Jonglei State. The assailants took six children as hostages, Anglican Bishop Moses Anur Ayom told Religion Unplugged. The gunmen attacked Makol Chuei village from […]
Thousands rally in Pakistan in support of killer of American
Islamabad, Pakistan AP Thousands of radical Islamists rallied on Friday in north-western Pakistan in support of a man who earlier this week walked into a courtroom in the city of Peshawar and gunned down a US citizen on trial for blasphemy. The American, Tahir Naseem, died of his wounds before he could be taken to […]
Black Catholics’ history: Will US Catholic schools teach it?
DAVID CRARY, of Associated Press, reports on calls for Catholic schools to teach more about the church’s past links to slavery and segregation, and how Black Catholics have persevered…
In the US, Promise Keepers stages a comeback, but returns on screens instead of in a stadium
RNS Thirty years ago, a Christian men’s movement began as a meeting of dozens of men with a prominent former football coach. Its biggest moment was a gathering of hundreds of thousands on the National Mall in 1997. Musicians Michael W Smith, right, and Calvin Nowell, left, lead a recorded worship service for Promise Keepers […]
WHO reports record daily increase in global coronavirus cases, up over 292,000
Reuters The World Health Organization reported a record increase in global coronavirus cases on Friday, with the total rising by 292,527. The biggest increases were from the United States, Brazil, India and South Africa, according to a daily report. Deaths rose by 6,812. The four countries have dominated global headlines with large outbreaks. A healthcare […]
Postcards: Guatemala teacher pedals classroom to students in pandemic
MOISES CASTILLO, of Associated Press, reports from Guatemala on how teacher Gerardo Ixcoy has taken his classroom on the road during the coronavirus pandemic…