Society & Culture

Latest

• 4 min read

  

  Africa Society & Culture

  Zimbabwe abolishes death penalty: A life-line for 62 people on death row

  By Ken Kagicha

  The President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, signed into law the Death Penalty Abolition Act (2024) effectively removing the death penalty sentence in the penal code. Although the Southern Africa country has not carried out death sentences for nearly two decades, 62 people who had been sentenced to death will be resentenced or have their death sentences commuted.

• 3 min read

  

  Asia Society & Culture

  Pakistani Veteran journalist Emanuel Sarfraz passes away at 56

  By CDI Staff

  Emanuel Sarfraz, a senior journalist and general secretary of the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) Lahore Chapter, passed away in Lahore on Jan. 13 following cardiac failure. He was 56 years old. A well-respected figure in Pakistan’s media industry, Sarfraz had over three decades of experience with prominent national and international media organizations.

• 1 min read

  

  Middle East Society & Culture

  Long-awaited cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas announced, raising hope for peace

  By CDI Staff

  Negotiators from Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement on a 42-day cease-fire and hostage release in Gaza, U.S. President Joe Biden and other officials announced Wednesday. The deal raises hopes for an end to over a year of war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and devastated the region.

• 2 min read

  

  US & Canada Church & Missions Religious Freedom Society & Culture

  Evangelical leaders urge President-elect Trump to prioritize needs of refugees who flee persecution

  By Chris Eyte

  Leaders of evangelical Christian organizations have signed a joint statement urging President-elect Donald Trump to prioritize the needs of persecuted Christian refugees and others seeking asylum as he prepares to take office this month, January 2025.

• 2 min read

  

  Latin America Society & Culture Church & Missions

  Colombia Mourns: Two Pastors Murdered in Targeted Attacks

  By Diario Cristiano

  In less than two weeks, Colombia has witnessed the shocking murders of two Christian pastors, shaking the nation’s religious community. On Dec. 29, the Lora Rincón pastoral family was killed in Aguachica, Cesar, in a targeted shooting. Days later, on Jan. 8, Pastor Iván Darío García González was gunned down after preaching at the Nuevo Renacer Christian Church, leaving one parishioner injured.

• 2 min read

  

  US & Canada Church & Missions Society & Culture

  Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse send chaplains, relief aid to support survivors of Los Angeles fires

  By Chris Eyte

  Trained chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA) are visiting relief shelters to offer frontline support and prayers to those forced to flee their homes as fires ravage the Los Angeles region in Southern California.