Latest Religion and politics News

India's multi-phase election will stretch over 44 days. Here's why it takes so long

Mar. 18, 2024 07:55 AM EDT

NEW DELHI (AP) — From April 19 to June 1, nearly 970 million Indians — or over 10% of the global population — are eligible to vote in general elections. The mammoth exercise is the biggest anywhere in the world and will take 44 days before results are announced on June 4. ...

India announces 6-week general elections starting April 19 with Modi's BJP topping surveys

Mar. 16, 2024 07:23 AM EDT

NEW DELHI (AP) — India on Saturday announced its 6-week-long general elections will start on April 19, with most surveys predicting a victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party. Voting in the world's largest democracy will stretch...

From 4-leaf clovers to some unexpected history, all you need to know about St. Patrick's Day

Mar. 16, 2024 00:11 AM EDT

NEW YORK (AP) — If it's March, and it's green, it must be St. Patrick's Day. The day honoring the patron saint of Ireland is a global celebration of Irish heritage. And nowhere is that more so than in the United States, where parades take place in cities around the country and all...

India's new citizenship law excludes Muslims. Here's what to know

Mar. 15, 2024 09:27 AM EDT

NEW DELHI (AP) — India has implemented a citizenship law that excludes migrants who are Muslims, a minority community whose concerns have heightened under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist government. The rules for the law were announced Monday. It establishes a...

A Wisconsin ruling on Catholic Charities raises the bar for religious tax exemptions

Mar. 14, 2024 14:44 PM EDT

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Exemptions that allow religious organizations to avoid paying Wisconsin's unemployment tax don't apply to a Catholic charitable organization because its on-the-ground operations aren't primarily religious, a divided state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. The...

Geert Wilders says it is 'constitutionally wrong' that he had to sacrifice his leadership ambitions

Mar. 14, 2024 12:09 PM EDT

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Anti-Islam lawmaker Geert Wilders said Thursday it is unfair and “constitutionally wrong” that he had to sacrifice his leadership aspirations in order to pave the way for a right-wing ruling coalition in the Netherlands after his party won the most seats in a...

India announces steps to implement a citizenship law that excludes Muslims

Mar. 11, 2024 11:22 AM EDT

NEW DELHI (AP) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on Monday announced rules to implement a 2019 citizenship law that excludes Muslims, weeks before the Hindu nationalist leader seeks a third term in office. The Citizenship Amendment Act provides a fast track to...

Today in History: March 8, Joe Frazier defeats Muhammad Ali in 'Fight of the Century'

Mar. 08, 2024 00:03 AM EST

Today in History Today is Friday, March 8, the 68th day of 2024. There are 298 days left in the year. Today’s highlight in history: On March 8, 1971, in the first of three fights between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, Frazier defeated Ali by decision...

Baltimore to pay $275k in legal fees after trying to block far-right Catholic group's 2021 rally

Mar. 07, 2024 13:55 PM EST

The city of Baltimore has agreed to pay $275,000 toward the legal fees of a far-right Catholic media group to settle a lawsuit over the city's unsuccessful attempt to block a rally in 2021. The agreement with St. Michael's Media, the parent firm of the Church Militant website, comes...

Modi visits Kashmir's main city for the first time since revoking region's semi-autonomy

Mar. 07, 2024 09:32 AM EST

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday made his first official visit to Kashmir's main city since New Delhi stripped the disputed region of its semi-autonomy and took direct control of it in 2019. Addressing a crowd in a soccer stadium in Srinagar, Modi...