Anti-Semitism order raises tough issue of defining prejudice
NEW YORK — President Donald Trump’s order to expand the scope of potential anti-Semitism complaints on college campuses is raising the stakes of an al...
15 killed in Iraqi capital as assailants fire live rounds
BAGHDAD — Gunmen in cars opened fire Friday in Baghdad's Khilani Square. leaving at least 15 people dead and 60 wounded, Iraqi security and medical of...
Italian priest, and 2 Kenyan men who say he’s their father
NAIROBI — Steven Lacchin grew up a fatherless boy, but he knew some very basic facts about the man who was his father.
GOP Rep. pitches LGBTQ rights bill with religious exemptions
As Democrats champion anti-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ community and Republicans counter with worries about safeguarding religious freedo...
Anti-headscarf law activist sues Iran in US over harassment
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — An Iranian-American activist famous for her campaign against the Islamic Republic’s mandatory headscarf, or hijab, for w...
Activists apologize for use of Holocaust victims’ remains
BERLIN — An activist group has apologized to outraged Jewish organizations because of an urn placed outside the German parliament that the activists c...
Surge of new abuse claims threatens church like never before
NEW YORK — At the end of another long day trying to sign up new clients accusing the Roman Catholic Church of sexual abuse, lawyer Adam Slater gazes o...
Correction: Burkina Faso-Church Attacked story
In a story Dec. 2 about an attack in Burkina Faso, The Associated Press reported erroneously that an attack on a convoy carrying employees of a mining...
In death and life, Lebanese woman shows religious law fight
BEIRUT — Nadyn Jouny’s sister taped up two messages in her memory inside a closet at the family home — one of motherly love tinged with pain, another ...
Correction: Sex Abuse-Lawsuits story
NEWARK, N.J. — In a story Nov. 30 about New Jersey sex abuse limits, The Associated Press reported erroneously the type of clients two attorneys repre...
Pope says Nativity scenes should go in town squares, schools
GRECCIO, Italy — Pope Francis on Sunday hailed Nativity scenes as “simple and admirable” signs of Christian faith and encouraged their placement in wo...
Relic thought to be from Jesus’ manger arrives in Bethlehem
BETHLEHEM, West Bank — A tiny wooden relic that some Christians believe to be part of Jesus' manger arrived Saturday in its permanent home in the bibl...
Sabbath buses barrel through Israel’s religious-secular rift
TEL AVIV, Israel — Tel Aviv has taken a major step to cement its status as Israel’s secular mecca, launching public transportation services on the Jew...
French cardinal’s career at stake in sex abuse case
LYON, France — A French cardinal said Thursday he did not understand why he was found guilty of covering up sexual abuse of children, speaking at an a...
Correction: Reckoning-Where Are They Now story
In a story sent Oct. 4 and 5 about clergy members that the Roman Catholic Church considers credibly accused of child sexual abuse living with little t...
In Lebanon, financial collapse and security concerns loom
BEIRUT — Hundreds of Lebanese women marched across a former front line in the Lebanese capital Wednesday carrying white roses and Lebanese flags to de...
Iran says protesters attacked hundreds of banks, blaming US
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — Protesters angry over government-set gasoline prices spiking in Iran attacked hundreds of banks, police outposts and gas...
Tibetans say the Dalai Lama should choose his successor
DHARMSALA, India — More than 150 Tibetan religious leaders said on Wednesday that their spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, should have the sole authori...
Philip Pullman’s latest book is adventure for an anxious age
LONDON — The line between fantasy and reality is blurry in the world of Philip Pullman. Which, he thinks, is how it should be.
The Latest: Quake death toll in Albania now at 26
DURRES, Albania — The Latest on a deadly earthquake in Albania (all times local):
US criticizes China for abuses revealed by leaked cables
WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Tuesday that a cache of leaked documents proves that Chinese authorities are engaged in massive and s...
Buddhist nationalists claim victory in Sri Lankan election
KANDY, Sri Lanka — In this mountain city that was for centuries home to Sri Lanka’s kings and in recent years has been riven by religious violence, Bu...
Pennsylvania overhauls child sexual abuse laws
READING, Pa. — Pennsylvania overhauled its child sexual abuse laws Tuesday, more than a year after a landmark grand jury report showed the cover-up of...
Review: In ‘The Two Popes,’ a buddy movie in vestments
Believers of all religions can agree on one thing: the Vatican is an unlikely place for a bromance.
Labour’s Corbyn struggles to contain anti-Semitism charge
LONDON — Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn struggled Tuesday to defuse harsh criticism about anti-Semitism leveled at both himself and the party by Br...
Religious freedom law plays key role in migrant-aid case
Religious liberty is often a high priority for conservatives, but last week’s acquittal of an Arizona man prosecuted for aiding migrants along the U.S...
Pope defends raid on financial unit despite criticism
ABOARD THE PAPAL PLANE — Pope Francis defended a controversial raid on the Vatican’s financial watchdog agency, saying Tuesday it showed the Vatican’s...
Rabbis urge teaching of empathy to counteract religious hate
NEW YORK — At a time when anti-Semitic incidents are on the rise worldwide, schools should take steps to teach empathy as an antidote to racism and re...
Pope in Japan voices concern over nuke power, meets victims
TOKYO — Pope Francis voiced concern about nuclear power Monday after meeting with victims of Japan’s 2011 nuclear disaster, saying the development of ...
Secret documents reveal how China mass detention camps work
The watch towers, double-locked doors and video surveillance in the Chinese camps are there “to prevent escapes.” Uighurs and other minorities held in...