Latest Religion and politics News

Elections in 2 Indian states are seen as a test of Prime Minister Modi's popularity

Nov. 20, 2024 20:53 PM EST

NEW DELHI (AP) — Millions of people are voting in state elections in Maharashtra, India’s western industrial hub, and the mineral-rich eastern province of Jharkhand on Wednesday, in a test of the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist party and its regional partners. ...

Abuse survivors urge the Vatican to globalize the zero-tolerance policy it approved in the US

Nov. 19, 2024 00:19 AM EST

ROME (AP) — Survivors of clergy sexual abuse urged the Vatican on Monday to expand its zero-tolerance policy that it approved for the U.S. Catholic Church in 2002 to the rest of the world, arguing that children everywhere should be protected from predator priests. The U.S. norms,...

Ohio offers a new way to use public money for Christian schools. Opponents say it’s unconstitutional

Nov. 17, 2024 00:13 AM EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Around the country, advocates for Christian education have been finding legal ways to tap taxpayer money used more typically for public schools. One new approach in Ohio is benefiting schools tied to a burgeoning conservative political group and facing objections from...

Today in History: November 16, Nixon authorizes Alaska pipeline

Nov. 16, 2024 00:09 AM EST

Today is Saturday, Nov. 16, the 321st day of 2024. There are 45 days left in the year. Today in history: On Nov. 16, 1973, President Richard Nixon signed the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act into law, authorizing the construction of an 800-mile...

Israel's West Bank settlers hope Trump's return will pave the way for major settlement expansion

Nov. 13, 2024 21:06 PM EST

BEIT EL, West Bank (AP) — As Donald Trump’s victory became apparent in last week's U.S. elections, Jewish West Bank settlement advocates popped bottles of champagne and danced to the Bee Gees at a winery in the heart of the occupied territory, according to a post on Instagram. The winery said...

AP VoteCast shows Trump boosted his level of support among Catholic voters

Nov. 13, 2024 14:04 PM EST

Among several blocs of religious voters, including his loyal evangelical base, Donald Trump fared roughly as well in his victory over Kamala Harris as he did in his loss to Joe Biden four years ago. One notable difference: He did better this year among Catholic voters, according to AP VoteCast, a...

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says he'll ask for a vote of confidence in December

Nov. 13, 2024 09:07 AM EST

BERLIN (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Wednesday that he will ask for a vote of confidence on Dec. 16, paving the way for early parliamentary elections in February. He declared his plans during a speech in parliament, a week after his three-party coalition government collapsed. ...

White evangelical voters show steadfast support for Donald Trump's presidency

Nov. 07, 2024 15:56 PM EST

After former President Donald Trump gave his victory speech early Wednesday, at the Palm Beach Convention Center, dozens of his supporters gathered in a lobby to sing “How Great Thou Art,” reciting from memory the words and harmonies of a classic hymn, popular among evangelical Christians. ...

Germany's coalition collapses dramatically. Scholz plans to lead with a minority government

Nov. 07, 2024 13:09 PM EST

BERLIN (AP) — After Germany’s government coalition collapsed in a dramatic fashion when Chancellor Olaf Scholz fired Finance Minister Christian Lindner of the pro-business Free Democrats, Scholz said he would lead the country with a minority government, despite calls from opposition leaders on...

Trump's second term could realign US diplomacy toward authoritarian leaders

Nov. 07, 2024 00:22 AM EST

BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — Hungary's fiery, right-wing leader says Donald Trump’s victory will help his own battle against immigration and multiculturalism and restore traditional family values. In Argentina, a president who once bear-hugged Trump at a political conference in...