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By David E. Anderson Religion News Service U.S. foreign policy officials have shown an increased understanding of religion’s importance to American diplomacy, but the government’s activities in that area display a “lack of strategic thinking” that hampers efforts abroad, according to a new report. U.S. officials do not have “a clear set of policy objectives…

RNS by Michelle Rindels Ukrainian Catholics are fighting to stop a U.S.-owned company from turning a 19th-century church into a casino, according to international reports. Protesters inside St. Joseph’s church in Dnipropetrovsk were forcefully evicted before the roof and ceiling were removed Friday (July 20), according to Ecumenical News International. “The authorities are laughing at…

Associated Press Kabul, Afghanistan – July 25, 2007 – Afghan police discovered the bullet-riddled body of a South Korean hostage Wednesday as the Taliban released eight other captives who were taken to a U.S. military base, officials said. Because of a recent spike in kidnappings – including an attempt against a Danish citizen Wednesday –…

RNS By Gwen Filosa and John Pope New Orleans — Closing one of the most sensational chapters in post-Katrina New Orleans, Dr. Anna Pou said she fell to her knees and thanked God when she learned Tuesday (July 24) that a grand jury had refused to charge her with murdering patients in Memorial Medical Center…

RNS by Adelle M. Banks Rabbi Sherwin Wine, the founder of the humanistic stream of Judaism, died Saturday (July 21) in an automobile accident. Wine, 79, was vacationing in Morocco at the time. Described by the Humanist chaplain of Harvard University as “the greatest American religious leader you never heard of,” Wine founded the movement…

RNS by Michelle Rindels The Vatican is appealing to U.S. officials to commute the death sentence of a Georgia man convicted of killing a police officer in 1989. Saying that a number of key witnesses have recanted their testimonies, the Vatican embassy in Washington sent a letter to Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, requesting clemency for…

RNS by Omar Sacribey Rizwan Kadir liked working in finance, but when he read a verse in the Quran that said engaging in usury was the same as “waging war” against God and Islam’s prophet Muhammad, fear struck him. “When you come across an aya (verse) like this, it makes you start wondering what you’re…

United Press International Perugia, Italy – Jul 23, 2007 – Authorities in the Italian city of Perugia raided a local mosque during the weekend, arresting its imam and seizing a number of chemicals. The Italian news agency ANSA reported Monday Mostapha El Korchi was arrested during the weekend raid and the chemicals found inside his…

Associated Press Beijing – July 23, 2007 – China’s intelligence services are gearing up for next year’s Beijing Olympics, gathering information on foreigners who might mount protests and spoil the nation’s moment in the spotlight. Government spy agencies and think tanks are compiling lists of potentially troublesome foreign organizations, looking beyond the human rights groups…

Associated Press London – July 23, 2007 – The decision to slaughter a bull revered as sacred by his Hindu caretakers is justified, a British court ruled Monday, overturning a decision by a lower court last week. The ruling could spell the end for Shambo, a 6-year-old Friesian bull, whose life has been in jeopardy…
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