Category: Religion

South African anti-apartheid leader Archbishop Desmond Tutu laid to rest in state funeral

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a hero of the struggle against apartheid in South Africa, will be laid to rest on Saturday in an official state funeral in St George’s Cathedral, Cape Town, where for years he preached against racial injustice. President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the main eulogy for Tutu, whose death on Sunday… Read More South African anti-apartheid leader Archbishop Desmond Tutu laid to rest in state funeral

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South African anti-apartheid leader Archbishop Desmond Tutu dies at 90

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and veteran of South Africa’s struggle against white minority rule, died on Sunday at the age of 90. In 1984 Tutu won the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent opposition to apartheid. A decade later, he witnessed the end of that regime and chaired a Truth and Reconciliation… Read More South African anti-apartheid leader Archbishop Desmond Tutu dies at 90

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Pope Francis expresses willingness to meet Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill

Pope Francis said on Monday he was willing to go to Moscow for to meet Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill “brother to brother” in what would be the first trip by a pope to Russia. The pair’s meeting in Cuba in 2016 was the first by a pope and a leader of the Russian Orthodox Church… Read More Pope Francis expresses willingness to meet Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill

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Britain returns looted colonial-era artefacts to Ethiopia

After a century and a half hidden in private collections, 13 stolen Ethiopian artefacts have finally returned home following months of negotiations. “Our country’s ancient civilization’s history, artefacts, fingerprints of indigenous knowledge, culture … have been looted in war and smuggled out illegally,” said Ethiopia’s tourism minister, Nasise Challa. The items, which include an intricately… Read More Britain returns looted colonial-era artefacts to Ethiopia

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U.S. removes Nigeria from list of countries with religious freedom concerns

Washington on Wednesday removed Nigeria from its list of countries with religious freedom concerns, just a day before Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrives in the country as part of a tour of Africa. The omission drew a sharp rebuke from a U.S. government commission that had recommended the Biden administration keep Nigeria as a… Read More U.S. removes Nigeria from list of countries with religious freedom concerns

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Saudi Arabia grants citizenship to group of talented expatriates

Saudi Arabia has granted citizenship to a group of expatriates including doctors, clerics and academics, becoming the second Gulf Arab state to introduce a formal naturalization programme for foreigners with exceptional skills this year. The announcement follows a royal decree issued last Thursday which grants citizenship to “experts and exceptional global talents” who will contribute… Read More Saudi Arabia grants citizenship to group of talented expatriates

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U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Pope Francis amid abortion rights debate at home

U.S. President Joe Biden held an unusually long meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Friday as a debate raged back home about the Catholic president’s support for abortion rights. The Vatican said the private meeting lasted one hour and 15 minutes and then about another 15 minutes were spent for picture taking and… Read More U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Pope Francis amid abortion rights debate at home

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