Emma Ayers

‘A forgotten land’: Appalachians still enduring devastation from Hurricane Helene

Many North Carolinians here in Swannonoa are eking out an existence hit hard by the river that washed away their homes four months ago, when Hurricane Helene swept through the area.

January 15, 2025

Ex-homeless advocates hit San Francisco’s progressive approach to crisis as ineffective

Formerly homeless and addicted San Franciscans have long accused progressive nonprofit groups' "housing first" policies of worsening the city's homelessness problem -- and now say a positive change is on the way.

January 8, 2025

Nigeria pegged as most deadly country for Christians in humanitarian agency’s report

Nigeria is the deadliest nation for Christians, according to a humanitarian nonprofit group's latest annual report on the persecution of Christians around the world.

January 7, 2025

Pope Francis appoints Cardinal Robert McElroy as archbishop of Washington

Pope Francis named Cardinal Robert McElroy of San Diego as the archbishop of Washington on Monday, replacing Cardinal Wilton Gregory.

January 6, 2025

In the shadow of war, Christians in Gaza face a somber Christmas

As Christmas arrives, the small Christian community in the Gaza Strip is again facing a season mired in war.

December 24, 2024

Archbishop of York faces calls for resignation over handling of abuse case

Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell is facing growing calls to step aside as interim leader of the Church of England over his handling of a sexual misconduct case involving a priest during his tenure as bishop of Chelmsford.

December 16, 2024

Eighth grader wins Bible club dispute with New York public school

One New York eighth grader claimed victory Tuesday in a religious freedom dispute after initially being denied the right to form a Bible club at his public school.

December 11, 2024

Nancy Pelosi on Vatican bishop appointment deal with China: ‘I don’t get that’

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, a lifelong Catholic, delivered a rare rebuke of Pope Francis, sharply criticizing the Vatican's agreement with China over bishop appointments in an interview released Tuesday by the National Catholic Reporter.

December 11, 2024

Christian parents, schools sue Minnesota over faith-based college program ban

A group of Christian parents and schools on Monday filed a lawsuit over a Minnesota law that excludes faith-based colleges from a state program that helps high school juniors and seniors earn free college credits.

December 9, 2024

Illegal immigrants have a friend in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Migrants who are in the U.S. illegally might have an unexpected ally amid the incoming Trump administration's expected crackdown: Mormons.

December 5, 2024

Bible sales soar as number of American Christians shrinks

The ultimate bestseller is back: Bible sales are climbing in uncertain times, driven in part by first-time buyers.

December 2, 2024

Britain’s House of Commons approves assisted suicide bill

The House of Commons in London voted on Friday for an assisted dying bill, legislation that would let terminally ill adults in England and Wales seek medical assistance to end their lives.

November 29, 2024

U.K. Parliament to vote on ‘rush’ assisted suicide bill as critics demand more scrutiny

Britain's House of Commons is set to vote Friday on legislation that would allow terminally ill adults in England and Wales to seek medical assistance to end their lives.

November 27, 2024

Sabrina Carpenter music video leads to NYC priest ouster

Pop star Sabrina Carpenter's music video shoot at a Brooklyn, New York, church kicked off the downfall of Monsignor Jamie Gigantiello from his pastoral position at Our Lady of Mount Carmel-Annunciation Parish following revelations of financial misconduct and violations of diocesan policies.

November 21, 2024

AI Jesus installed in Swiss confessional booth

A Catholic church in Lucerne, Switzerland, has sparked conversation online by installing an artificial intelligence hologram of Jesus in one of its confessionals.

November 21, 2024

Pro-life groups file lawsuit against Illinois over abortion coverage law

A coalition of pro-life organizations, a church and Christian employers filed a federal lawsuit against Illinois state officials Tuesday, challenging a law that requires health insurance policies to cover elective abortions.

November 20, 2024

Texas Board of Education pushes plan for biblical public school curriculum

The Texas State Board of Education has indicated preliminary support for a new curriculum that would give districts the choice to incorporate Bible teachings into public school lessons for elementary students.

November 19, 2024

Jewish students unite in Crown Heights amid rising campus antisemitism

Over 2,000 Jewish college students from 176 universities across eight countries gathered in Brooklyn over the weekend for this year's "Pegisha," meaning "encounter," the world's largest Jewish student Shabbat celebration.

November 18, 2024

Pope Francis calls for investigation into Israel’s possible ‘genocide’ in Gaza

Pope Francis wants an investigation into whether Israel's actions in Gaza amount to genocide, according to excerpts from a new book based upon interviews with the pontiff.

November 17, 2024

Are you listening? Constant use of Bluetooth earbuds may be driving social isolation, says research

Have you ever tried talking to someone only to discover they haven't heard a word you've said because they're using Bluetooth earbuds?

November 14, 2024