Walz says Gaza demonstrators are protesting for 'all the right reasons' while condemning Hamas

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice presidential candidate Tim Walz said Thursday that those protesting American support for Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza are doing so for “all the right reasons," as the Democratic ticket looks to balance its support for Israel with the humanitarian plight of civilians...

Pope arrives in Papua New Guinea for the second leg of his Southeast Asia and Oceania trip

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (AP) — Pope Francis arrived in Papua New Guinea on Friday for the second leg of his four-nation trip through Southeast Asia and Oceania, becoming the second pope to visit the poor, strategically important South Pacific nation. A cannon salute and...

Pope and imam of Southeast Asia's largest mosque make joint call to fight violence, protect planet

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Pope Francis and the grand imam of Southeast Asia’s largest mosque vowed Thursday to fight religiously inspired violence and protect the environment, issuing a joint call for interfaith friendship and common cause at the heart of Francis’ visit to Indonesia. ...

Boko Haram militants on motorcycles attacked a Nigerian village, killing over 100, residents say

MAIDUGURI, Nigeria (AP) — At least 100 villagers were killed in northeastern Nigeria when suspected Boko Haram Islamic extremists opened fire on a market, on worshippers and in people's homes, residents said Wednesday, the latest killings in Africa's longest struggle with militancy. ...

Iraqi women fear rise in child marriages as lawmakers consider giving conservative clerics more say

IRBIL, Iraq (AP) — Shaimaa Saadoun is haunted by her memory of being forced into an abusive marriage to a 39-year-old man just after she turned 13. Her impoverished family near the southern Iraqi city of Basra hoped that the dowry of gold and money would help improve their...

Pope arrives in Jakarta at start of his longest trip, aims to celebrate religious harmony in largely Muslim Indonesia

Germany's leaders pay tribute to victims of the Solingen knife attack

BERLIN (AP) — German leaders paid tribute Sunday to the three people killed in the Aug. 23 knife attack by a suspected Islamic extremist, which has pushed immigration back to the top of the country's political agenda. Eight people also were wounded in the attack at a “Festival of...

The first election in a decade is planned in Indian-controlled Kashmir. Here's what to know

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Residents of Indian-controlled Kashmir are gearing up for their first regional election in a decade that will allow them to have their own truncated government, also known as a local assembly, instead of remaining under New Delhi's direct rule. ...

Turkish drone shot down by Iraqi air defenses over northern city of Kirkuk

IRBIL, Iraq (AP) — Iraqi air defenses shot down a Turkish drone Thursday morning over the northern city of Kirkuk, Iraqi military officials said. The incident came as the two countries have been attempting to develop closer economic and security ties, raising concerns amid the...

Bangladesh's interim government led by Yunus lifts ban on the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party

DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — Bangladesh's interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday lifted a ban on the Islamist Jamaat-e-Islami party that was imposed by the former prime minister who was ousted in nationwide protests against her rule. Sheikh Hasina, who...