Latest Religion and politics News

Saudi crown prince says in rare interview 'every day we get closer' to normalization with Israel

Sep. 20, 2023 23:41 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a rare interview with Fox News on Wednesday that negotiations over Israel means the prospects of normalized relations between both countries “get closer" every day, but that treatment of Palestinians remains a “very important”...

Indian lawmakers attend their last session before moving to a new Parliament building

Sep. 18, 2023 06:06 AM EDT

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian lawmakers sat in the last session before moving to a new Parliament building, responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call Monday that saw him lauding India’s parliamentary history and the recently concluded Group of 20 summit. Major opposition...

Security forces are seen across Iran as country prepares for anniversary of Mahsa Amini's death

Sep. 15, 2023 11:37 AM EDT

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Volunteer members of Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard could be seen on the streets Friday in western Iran as the country neared one year since 22-year-old Mahsa Amini died in police custody, prompting protests that challenged the country's theocratic...

Canadian man charged with murdering four Muslims was inspired by white nationalism, prosecutors say

Sep. 11, 2023 15:58 PM EDT

WINDSOR, Ontario (AP) — Canadian federal prosecutors argued that a man facing murder charges in the deaths of four members of a Muslim family was motivated by white nationalist beliefs as they branded the attack an act of terrorism. Nathaniel Veltman, 22, is accused of deliberately...

India or Bharat? A dinner invite sparks speculation as Modi's ministers push to rebrand the country

Sep. 08, 2023 08:43 AM EDT

NEW DELHI (AP) — It began with a dinner invitation. How it ends could affect more than a billion people. State-issued invites sent to guests of this week’s G20 meeting referred to India's president, Droupadi Murmu, as “President of Bharat.” Suddenly, in many circles, the...

Coach who lost his job for praying on field kneels again in first game after years of legal battles

Sep. 02, 2023 01:28 AM EDT

BREMERTON, Wash. (AP) — An assistant high school football coach in Washington state who lost his job during a controversy over his public post-game prayers was back on the field Friday after the U.S. Supreme Court held his practice was protected by the Constitution. Joe Kennedy...

India's opposition parties team up to challenge Modi's Hindu nationalist party in 2024 elections

Sep. 01, 2023 09:47 AM EDT

NEW DELHI (AP) — India’s fractured opposition parties decided Friday to jointly contest the 2024 national elections in their bid to unseat Prime Minister Narendra Modi and prevent his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party from achieving a third straight win. The 26 opposition...

A divided Malaysia celebrates National Day with Prime Minister Anwar rallying for unity

Aug. 30, 2023 23:50 PM EDT

PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) — Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim urged Malaysians to unite and reject racial and religious bigotry, as the country marked its 66th year of freedom from British rule on Thursday with fireworks and a street parade. Fireworks were set off in various locations at...

Top European court says that Bosnian minorities are treated like 'second-class citizens'

Aug. 29, 2023 10:00 AM EDT

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — A top European court ruled in an opinion published Tuesday that Bosnia's political system, set up under a U.S.-brokered peace deal in 1995, amplifies ethnic divisions and undermines the Balkan country's democratic elections. The European Court...

Pope says some 'backward' conservatives in US Catholic Church have replaced faith with ideology

Aug. 28, 2023 23:53 PM EDT

ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has blasted the “backwardness” of some conservatives in the U.S. Catholic Church, saying they have replaced faith with ideology and that a correct understanding of Catholic doctrine allows for change over time. Francis’ comments were an acknowledgment...