A federal court in Rhode Island has struck down a Trump-era policy that would have cut federal funding to homeless shelters permitting men to access women’s restrooms and changing facilities. Multiple nonprofit organizations challenged the Department of Housing and Urban Development rule in court last year. HUD had defended the policy in legal documents, stating it aimed “to ensure the availability of funding to protect our nation’s most vulnerable individuals and families from the trauma of homelessness while simultaneously promoting self-sufficiency.”
In international news, a new survey reveals widespread concern among British citizens about Christianity’s declining influence in their country. The Whitestone Insight poll found 52 percent of Britons believe the ongoing move away from Christian faith will negatively affect future generations. Only about 20 percent view the decline as beneficial. Nearly three-fifths of survey participants said Christianity still offers value to Britain through moral guidance or practical daily influence, even though fewer than half of England’s population now identifies as Christian.
American Christians are increasingly incorporating artificial intelligence into their spiritual practices, according to new research from the Barna Group that has sparked debate among religious leaders. The study found nearly one-third of U.S. adults place equal trust in spiritual guidance from AI and pastoral advice, while 40 percent of practicing Christians report using AI for prayer assistance or biblical study. However, only 12 percent of pastors feel prepared to address AI technology with their congregations. This disconnect has created space for numerous apps featuring chatbots designed to simulate conversations with biblical characters, though critics warn believers should exercise caution given AI’s current limitations.
Belarus has enacted legislation similar to Russia’s anti-LGBTQ laws, with lawmakers approving penalties for promoting what they term the “LGBT agenda.” The upper legislative chamber gave final approval to the measure, which now awaits expected approval from President Alexander Lukashenko. The new law establishes fines, community service, and up to 15 days of detention for “propaganda of homosexual relations, gender charge, refusal to have children and pedophilia.” While Belarus legalized homosexuality in 1994 following the Soviet Union’s collapse, the country does not recognize same-sex marriages.
