Patriarch Filaret, who fought for an independent Ukrainian Orthodox church, dies at 97

Patriarch Filaret of Kyiv — who worked for decades to establish an independent Ukrainian Orthodox church that was free from Moscow’s religious authority, a schism that foreshadowed the Russia-Ukraine war — died Friday. He was 97. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine announced his death, citing the “exacerbation of chronic diseases.” Filaret had a more limited … Read more

Rep. Kevin Kiley leaves GOP to become an independent, complicating Johnson’s majority

Washington — Rep. Kevin Kiley of California said Monday he was immediately leaving the Republican Party to become an independent.   “I’m also today asking the clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives to have that reflected in the official roster,” Kiley said in a call with reporters.  The move complicates House Speaker Mike Johnson’s … Read more