Australian state commits more police to investigate antisemitic crime MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — The childcare center a block from a synagogue in a suburb of Maroubra was also spray-painted with anti-Jewish graffiti before it was set alight early Tuesday, police said. The post Australian state commits more police to investigate antisemitic crime appeared first on RNS.

Welcome to America’s new Gilded Age (RNS) — Trump’s praise for the 19th-century president answers the question so many have been asking: When does Trump believe America was great? It’s the Gilded Age.  The post Welcome to America’s new Gilded Age appeared first on RNS.

Praying for the president (RNS) — Praying for the President does not mean that you endorse everything he says and does. The post Praying for the president appeared first on RNS.

At historic Riverside Church, a multifaith coalition seeks to reclaim King’s dream NEW YORK (RNS) — On Monday, a group of interfaith leaders came together to speak about Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of ‘beloved community’ against today’s context of social and political disunity. The post At historic Riverside Church, a multifaith coalition seeks to reclaim King’s dream appeared first on RNS.

Musk’s straight-arm gesture embraced by right-wing extremists regardless of what he meant NEW YORK (AP) — The Anti-Defamation League, an antisemitism and human rights watchdog, called it an “awkward gesture” and urged caution in jumping to conclusions. The post Musk’s straight-arm gesture embraced by right-wing extremists regardless of what he meant appeared first on RNS.

Anabaptists commemorate 500 years with new study Bible and more (RNS) — In North America, MennoMedia is releasing a new study Bible that features the reflections of 597 Bible study groups from 18 Anabaptist faith groups. The post Anabaptists commemorate 500 years with new study Bible and more appeared first on RNS.

Alaska Native leaders call to preserve Denali name for Mount McKinley (RNS) — Activists argue that Indigenous values should take precedence over honoring of a pro-tariff president. The post Alaska Native leaders call to preserve Denali name for Mount McKinley appeared first on RNS.

Gloo announces investment in software product powerhouse Midwestern Gloo The post Gloo announces investment in software product powerhouse Midwestern appeared first on RNS.

Faith-based aid agencies challenge Trump’s order ‘realigning’ refugee program WASHINGTON (RNS) — An executive order signed by President Donald Trump appears to keep all but a few refugees from entering the country, saying that the United States lacks the resources to absorb them.  The post Faith-based aid agencies challenge Trump’s order ‘realigning’ refugee program appeared first on RNS.

In sermon to Trump, Bishop Budde pleads for immigrants, transgender rights WASHINGTON (RNS) — The inaugural prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral Tuesday morning featured a number of interfaith leaders, including the Rt. Rev. Mariann Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, who delivered the homily. The post In sermon to Trump, Bishop Budde pleads for immigrants, transgender rights appeared first on RNS.

Episcopal Divinity School launches public online course equipping Christians to shift public theological narrative around reproductive justice Episcopal Divinity School The post Episcopal Divinity School launches public online course equipping Christians to shift public theological narrative around reproductive justice appeared first on RNS.

Warm weather threatens Epiphany ice water plunges for Russia’s Orthodox Christians MOSCOW (AP) — Temperatures across Russia have been increasing over the past quarter of a century in line with global warming, says meteorologist Leonid Starkov. The post Warm weather threatens Epiphany ice water plunges for Russia’s Orthodox Christians appeared first on RNS.

With last-minute pardon, Biden delivers immigration activist Ravi Ragbir from deportation (RNS) — A chorus of nationally known faith leaders and other clergy in the New York area had supported the New Sanctuary Coalition director’s plea to be spared deportation. The post With last-minute pardon, Biden delivers immigration activist Ravi Ragbir from deportation appeared first on RNS.

At King Day rally, Sharpton leads oath to support DEI as Trump opposes it (RNS) — ‘I will defend equality for all, diversity, equality, inclusion, women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, immigration rights,’ a crowd recited at a rally. The post At King Day rally, Sharpton leads oath to support DEI as Trump opposes it appeared first on RNS.

Imam who backed Trump absent from inauguration, removed from program WASHINGTON (RNS) — Imam Husham Al-Husainy’s invitation to give a benediction at the inauguration was seen as controversial in some conservative pro-Israel circles. The post Imam who backed Trump absent from inauguration, removed from program appeared first on RNS.

At inauguration, Trump says he was ‘saved by God to make America great again’ WASHINGTON (RNS) — The former president marked his return to the White House with religious services and prayers from a range of faith leaders. The post At inauguration, Trump says he was ‘saved by God to make America great again’ appeared first on RNS.

Hostages are coming home. Thank God. (RNS) — This is what we have been praying for. The post Hostages are coming home. Thank God. appeared first on RNS.

In Inauguration Day message, Pope Francis urges Trump to avoid ‘discrimination or exclusion’ (RNS) — Francis’ prayer for the 47th president followed a Sunday interview with Italian media in which he called Trump’s proposed immigration policy ‘a disgrace.’ The post In Inauguration Day message, Pope Francis urges Trump to avoid ‘discrimination or exclusion’ appeared first on RNS.

In Israel, a mix of relief and anxiety, as first hostages are freed JERUSALEM (RNS) — Amid the joy Sunday were fears the ceasefire could collapse at any moment, leaving more than 90 hostages in Hamas captivity.   The post In Israel, a mix of relief and anxiety, as first hostages are freed appeared first on RNS.

Hope amid caution: Reflections on Gaza’s ceasefire (RNS) — In Gaza, hope is not just a feeling — it is a survival mechanism. The post Hope amid caution: Reflections on Gaza’s ceasefire appeared first on RNS.