In UK, Methodist Church calls for boycott

In Great Britain today, it is reported that the Methodist Church adopted a measure to boycott "all products from Israeli settlements" in Palestinian territories. It is the first major religion in England to approve such a course of action as a policy. Methodist leaders made the decision at the denomination's recent conference in Portsmouth. This will inevitably place the Methodist denomination in England at odds with the country's Jewish population.

DA yet to make final decision about motivation of alleged Old Bridge killers

The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, New Jersey, has not conclusively ruled out racial motivation in the case of the June 28th murder of Old Bridge resident Divyendu Sinha, 49, a Hindu. However, Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce Kaplan noted that "preliminary findings" lead authorities to believe that Sinha's killers were not racially motivated.

Three 17-year-olds, whose names have not yet been released by police, have been arrested by police in connection with the murder.

Sinha was reportedly beaten to death while walking around his residential block, in front of his family.

Pope calls for council to address 'new evangelization'

In Rome, Pope Benedict XVI announced the formation of a new pontifical council to consider "new evangelization" in order to innovate ways to present the Gospel in areas of the world where secularism is outweighing church teachings.

The Pope said he created the "new organism, in the form of a pontifical council" with the idea of renewing evangelization in the countries where the "first proclamation of faith" has already been received and where ancient foundations of the church already exist.

ChurchRater becomes online church shopping outlet

For years, people have been finding dates online through sites dedicated to pairing people. Now, there is a website that seeks to pair people and churches.

According to the Detroit Free Press, ChurchRater.com is a church shopping site founded by a Catholic, a Protestant and a Jew. And, this trio of entrepreneurs are inviting users to actually review and recommend churches for their online audience.

Women allowed access to education in Pakistan

Islamic schools in Pakistan, while "a driver of conservative Islam," reportedly allow women to attend schools in a widespread manner, in addition to allow those women who wish to sit in. Pakistan is allegedly going through a transition where Sufi Islam is facing a decline while the more conservative, Saudi-influenced Islam is on the rise.