Latest Religion and politics News
Presidents and popes over the years: Gifts, gaffes, grief
WASHINGTON (AP) — When President Joe Biden meets with Pope Francis on Friday, he won’t kiss the ring. Biden, who has met with Francis three times and with two previous popes, has said he eschews the traditional sign of respect because his mother told him not to —...
Vaccine reluctance in Eastern Europe brings high COVID cost
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Truck driver Andriy Melnik never took the coronavirus seriously. With a friend, he bought a fake vaccination certificate so his travel documents would appear in order when he hauled cargo to other parts of Europe. His view changed after the friend...
Biden bound for global summits, aims to pass domestic agenda
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden promised to show the world that democracies can work to meet the challenges of the 21st century. As he prepares to push that message at a pair of global summits, his case could hinge on what's happening in Washington, where he is rushing to finalize a...
Prayer for kidnappers deeply rooted in mission group's faith
When Amish gather for worship each week, they regularly sing the solemn, German-dialect hymns that their spiritual forebears composed nearly five centuries ago in a condition akin to that of 17 missionaries recently kidnapped in Haiti — captivity. Those hymns emerged...
Prayer for kidnappers deeply rooted in mission group's faith
When Amish gather for worship each week, they regularly sing the solemn, German-dialect hymns that their spiritual forebears composed nearly five centuries ago in a condition akin to that of 17 missionaries recently kidnapped in Haiti — captivity. Those hymns emerged...
Noem order aimed at easing exemptions for vaccine mandate
PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem issued an executive order Wednesday aimed at ensuring that state employees can easily obtain medical and religious exemptions from federal vaccine mandates. Noem said the move was necessary to ensure that employees...
Bill would remove 'conscience' as basis for refusing vaccine
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Illinois law has for more than four decades protected those who oppose providing or receiving medical treatment because of their religious beliefs. Now Democrats want an exception to allow repercussions for those who refuse vaccinations in the battle against...
Judge won't stop vaccine mandate for NYC cops, other workers
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York judge on Wednesday refused to pause a COVID-19 vaccine mandate set to begin Friday for the city’s municipal workforce, denying a police union’s request for a temporary restraining order. Judge Lizette Colon said the mandate can take effect...
Appointments names for 3 vacant seats in Arizona House
PHOENIX (AP) — The boards of supervisors in Maricopa and Pinal counties on Wednesday selected three people to fill vacancies in the Arizona House of Representatives. Architect Christian Solorio will fill a vacant seat from Legislative District 30 in west Phoenix and...
Kosovo sanctions 7 people, 1 company for links to Hezbollah
PRISTINA, Kosovo (AP) — Kosovo on Wednesday sanctioned seven local businessmen and a company for links with Lebanon's military group Hezbollah. The decision was in line with sanctions the U.S. imposed on Hezbollah, a powerful Shiite faction that holds seats in...
