(RNS) — His hit song ‘Total Praise’ was included in the group Destiny’s Child’s a capella “Gospel Medley,” performed by a cantor at New York’s Carnegie Hall and sung by a choir when President Barack Obama welcomed Pope Francis to the White House. The post Richard Smallwood, contemporary gospel musician known for ‘Total Praise,’ dies at 77 appeared first on RNS.

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel said it had suspended Doctors Without Borders and CARE along with two dozen other organizations for failing to comply with new registration rules. The post Israel says it will halt several aid organizations’ operations in Gaza starting in 2026 appeared first on RNS.

(RNS) — Bishop Julian Dobbs was reportedly cleared of the claims that he misused tens of thousands of dollars. The post Acting ACNA archbishop faced claims of financial misconduct prior to current role appeared first on RNS.

(RNS) — Last year’s most read, most shared and most likely, in the eyes of RNS’ editors, to shape the year ahead. The post The top religion news stories of 2025 appeared first on RNS.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — He was the longest-tenured member of the Quorum of the Twelve after President Dallin H. Oaks, making him next in line to lead the church under a long-established succession plan. The post Jeffrey R. Holland, next in line to lead Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dies at 85 appeared first on RNS.

LATAKIA, Syria (AP) —The clashes came two days after a bombing at an Alawite mosque in the city of Homs killed eight people and wounded 18 others during prayers. The post 4 dead, dozens injured in Syria during clashes between Alawites and counterdemonstrators appeared first on RNS.

(RNS) — The United States goes to war with Christian identity as cover. The post The non-Christian purpose of Trump’s Christmas present to the Nigerians appeared first on RNS.

VATICAN CITY (RNS) — The Catholic world is keenly watching to see how the more reflective Leo will step out of the shadow of his often disruptive predecessor. The post As a year of two popes ends, Catholics and the world watch as Leo takes charge appeared first on RNS.

IDLIB, Syria (AP) — Authorities were searching for the perpetrators, who have not yet been identified, and a security cordon was placed around the building, Syria’s Interior Ministry said in a statement. The post Mosque bombing in Syria leaves 8 dead and 18 wounded appeared first on RNS.

JABO, Nigeriq (AP) — Idris said the strikes targeted areas used as “staging grounds by foreign" IS fighters who had sneaked into Nigeria from the Sahel, the southern fringe of Africa's vast Sahara Desert. government did not release any casualty figures among the militants. The post Nigerian villagers are rattled by US airstrikes that made their homes shake and the sky glow red appeared first on RNS.

(RNS) — Sometimes, all you really do need is love. A very big love. The post Reform Judaism’sWide Open Doors – A Conversation With Rabbi Rick Jacobs appeared first on RNS.

Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh USA The post Sewa Diwali Food Drive: 553 organizations partner for celebrations through charity appeared first on RNS.

(RNS) — This year's books suggest that faith remains a source of creativity, resistance and renewal. The post RNS’ top 10 religion and spirituality books of 2025 appeared first on RNS.

Poimena The post Swiss non-profit tackles a common church problem: Scripture memorization that fizzles out appeared first on RNS.

(RNS) — Latter-day Saints the world over will miss President Jeffrey R. Holland's compassion and stubbornly faithful heart. The post How I’ll remember Elder Jeffrey R. Holland appeared first on RNS.

(RNS) — The decision settled a yearlong legal battle between the congregation and church members who opposed the Rev. Kevin Johnson’s election. The post Judge rules in favor of New York’s Abyssinian Baptist Church and its new pastor appeared first on RNS.

(RNS) — Those remembered this year also include authors, influencers and other leaders who shaped religion around the world. The post Faith leaders who died in 2025: Pope Francis, theologians and activists appeared first on RNS.

ISTANBUL (AP) — A statement from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said police were tipped off that the extremist group had called for action — particularly against non-Muslims — during the celebrations. The post Turkey detains dozens of IS suspects planning attacks on Christmas and New Year celebrations appeared first on RNS.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A Defense Department official, who insisted on anonymity to discuss details not made public, said the U.S. worked with Nigeria to carry out the strikes and that they'd been approved by Abuja. The post US launches strikes against Islamic State group in Nigeria after attacks target Christians appeared first on RNS.

(RNS) — From Erika Kirk to Ms. Rachel, these influencers brought their faith to our algorithms this year. The post Amid ‘rage-bait’ posts and AI slop, these faith-based influencers found real audiences in 2025 appeared first on RNS.

NEW YORK (AP) — It is one of the most surprising music stories of the year. While streams of new music — releases from the last 18 months — were down from last year, one genre is on the rise: Christian and gospel music, according to industry data and analytics company Luminate’s 2025 Midyear Report.... The post How Christian artists are winning over listeners and entering pop’s mainstream appeared first on RNS.

LONDON (AP) — Delivering his annual holiday address from Westminster Abbey, Charles said Thursday the Christmas story of wise men and shepherds traveling through the night to find their savior shows how we can find strength in the “companionship and kindness of others.” The post King Charles III calls for kindness and unity in Christmas message amid global conflicts appeared first on RNS.

NEW DELHI (AP) — A protest erupted in India’s capital Tuesday in response to the death of a Hindu man who was lynched and burned by an angry mob in neighboring Bangladesh, a new sign of strain in relations between the neighboring countries. The protest in New Delhi, mainly led by Hindu nationalist organization Vishva... The post Protest erupts in India’s capital city over lynching of Hindu man in Bangladesh appeared first on RNS.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — A man accused of shooting dead 15 people at Sydney’s Bondi Beach in an antisemitic attack faced a lengthy delay in getting a gun license because of a bureaucratic mishap, not because he raised suspicions, a state government leader said on Tuesday. Sajid Akram, who was killed by police during the... The post Bureaucratic mishap delayed gun license for accused Bondi Beach shooter in Australia appeared first on RNS.

LAGOS, Nigeria (AP) — The bombing is the latest in a series of attacks in Nigeria's troubled northern region, where the country is battling multiple armed groups, including Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province. The post Blast at mosque in Nigeria kills 5 and injures more than 30 in apparent suicide attack appeared first on RNS.