- Researchers found remains of ~2,000-year-old grape vines and olive trees near the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which may support the site's historic connection to Jesus.
- The botanical evidence echoes the Gospel of John’s mention of a garden, adding weight to the traditional location theory.
- NBC’s Keir Simmons filed an exclusive TODAY report from the Garden of Gethsemane highlighting the findings.
Latest stories in Religion & Spirituality.
- Israel closed the West Bank village of Taybeh to non-resident Israelis, saying the move aims to curb rising settler violence and protect residents.
- Taybeh is one of the few remaining Christian villages in the West Bank and is home to the well-known Taybeh Brewing Co., a popular regional microbrewery.
- The situation has drawn international attention: a U.N. inquiry criticized Israeli authorities over settler attacks (a finding Israel disputes), and some Western countries have sanctioned settler groups.
- A suspended Grenadian priest, Father Gerard Paul, is using calypso as his new "pulpit" to speak out on issues like Gaza and sexual abuse in the church.
- He revived his calypso career this year and reached the finals at Grenada’s Spicemas carnival performing as "Father Paul."
- His songs—such as "Oh Gaza" and "Ah Want Ah Radar"—mix satire and political critique, taking aim at Israel’s actions, U.S. radar plans and alleged clerical cover-ups.
- Vincent Lang, 60, has been federally charged for allegedly setting a mid‑July fire at the Northeast Philadelphia Islamic Center and prosecutors say he targeted it because it was a mosque.
- Local reports say no one was injured; Lang is in custody and faces up to 40 years in prison if convicted.
- The case has drawn attention amid broader concerns about rising Islamophobia and tensions linked to immigration, white supremacy and the war in Gaza.
- Justice Neil Gorsuch said the U.S. was founded on shared ideas—life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness—and religious pluralism, not a single race or faith.
- He pushed back on Vice President Vance’s claim that Christianity is “America’s creed,” noting founders and early settlers included Catholics, Amish and Quakers.
- Gorsuch pointed to the First Amendment and equal protection under law as core, unifying principles everyone should be able to rally behind.
- Two people were stabbed this afternoon near Central Park in New York City, just feet from a synagogue.
- Witnesses say the attacker shouted "Allahu Akbar."
- Authorities are on the scene and investigating; more details are expected.
Get the full experience in the app — topics, comments, and audio summaries.