Latest Religion and politics News
Israel's election highlights secular-religious divide
KFAR SABA, Israel (AP) — Yamit Dulberg considers herself a traditional Israeli woman with right-wing views who would usually vote for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party. But this week the 37-year-old mother of two cast her ballot for his main rival, in part because she's sick of his...
Iraq's stability on the line as US, Iran tensions soar
BAGHDAD (AP) — As the United States and Israel escalate their push to contain Iranian influence in the Middle East, countries in Tehran's orbit are feeling the heat. Pro-Iranian militias across Lebanon, Syria and Iraq are being targeted, both with economic sanctions and precision airstrikes hitting their...
Feds cite Islam focus in review of Duke-UNC language grant
The Trump administration is threatening to cut funding for a Middle East studies program run by the University of North Carolina and Duke University, arguing that it's misusing a federal grant to advance "ideological priorities" and unfairly promote "the positive aspects of Islam" but not Christianity or Judaism....
Jurors side with diocese in pregnant Missouri teacher's suit
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Jurors ruled against a teacher who alleged that she was fired from a Catholic school in Kansas City, Missouri, because she was pregnant, unmarried and refused to have an abortion. After eight hours of deliberation, the jurors sided Wednesday with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kansas...
In Israel, calls for unity reveal deep divisions after vote
JERUSALEM (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his chief rival, Benny Gantz, on Thursday each called for the formation of a unity government following Israel's inconclusive national election. But with both men demanding to be prime minister, there were no signs they could break the deadlock. The...
3 politicians sorry for using, defending anti-Semitic trope
TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — Three city council members in New Jersey's capital city have now apologized for using or defending anti-Semitic language while discussing actions taken by the city's Jewish attorney. Councilwoman Robin Vaughn apologized in a statement on Wednesday, saying her comments defending Council...
Tonga in national holiday to bid farewell to leader Pohiva
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Hundreds of mourners packed a church service on Thursday and children stood vigil on downtown streets as Tonga took a national holiday to bid farewell to Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva at a state funeral. During a political career that began more than three decades ago,...
In new Sudan, women want more freedom, bigger political role
CAIRO (AP) — On her daily walks from home to her job at a primary school in the city of Port Sudan, Khalda Saber would urge people to join the protests against the three-decade rule of Sudan's autocratic President Omar al-Bashir. At school, she rallied fellow teachers to join the pro-democracy uprising. "I...
The Latest: Defiant Israel PM seeks to lead ruling coalition
JERUSALEM (AP) — The Latest on the Israeli election (all times local): 7:30 p.m. Israel's prime minister says he will seek to lead a ruling coalition with his religious and nationalist allies, despite falling short of a parliamentary majority in Tuesday's elections. Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday at a...
'Everybody cries here': Hope and despair in Mexican shelter
CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (AP) — Long after midnight, when the heat has finally relented and the walled courtyard is scattered with men sleeping in the open, someone begins to sob. The sound is quiet, muffled. The only light comes from streetlights shimmering above the razor wire. It's impossible to see who is...
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