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China's Panchen Lama pledges loyalty to the Communist Party in a meeting with Xi

China's Panchen Lama pledges loyalty to the Communist Party in a meeting with Xi

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — The man picked by Beijing as the second highest figure in Tibetan Buddhism pledged adherence to the ruling Communist Party's dictates Friday during a rare face-to-face meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, state media reported
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Less spending, high prices and fewer animal sacrifices at this year's Eid al-Adha celebrations

Less spending, high prices and fewer animal sacrifices at this year's Eid al-Adha celebrations

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Less spending, higher prices and fewer animal sacrifices subdued the usual festive mood as the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Adha was celebrated around the world.
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A Sikh Captain America and other stories: Takeaways from AP's report about faith themes in comics

A Sikh Captain America and other stories: Takeaways from AP's report about faith themes in comics

Representation of many of the world’s faiths and spiritual traditions has been minimal to nonexistent in the mainstream comics universe.
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Pope meets with child protection advisory board as survivors call for zero tolerance of abuse

Pope meets with child protection advisory board as survivors call for zero tolerance of abuse

VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV met with members of the Vatican’s child protection advisory commission on Thursday for the first time amid questions about his past handling of clergy sex abuse cases and demands from survivors that he enact a true po
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Hajj attendance falls to 30-year-low excluding the COVID-19 pandemic period

Hajj attendance falls to 30-year-low excluding the COVID-19 pandemic period

ISLAMABAD (AP) — This year’s Hajj in Saudi Arabia attracted the lowest number of pilgrims for 30 years, excluding the COVID-19 pandemic period , according to figures released Thursday.
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Without meat, families in Gaza struggle to celebrate Islam's Eid al-Adha holiday

Without meat, families in Gaza struggle to celebrate Islam's Eid al-Adha holiday

MUWASI, Gaza Strip (AP) — With the Gaza Strip devastated by war and siege, Palestinians struggled Thursday to celebrate one of the most important Islamic holidays.
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Israel says it has recovered the bodies of 2 Israeli-American hostages from the Gaza Strip

Israel says it has recovered the bodies of 2 Israeli-American hostages from the Gaza Strip

TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel has recovered the bodies of two Israeli-American hostages taken in Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack that ignited the war in the Gaza Strip.
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Supreme Court sides with Catholic charity in religious-rights case over unemployment taxes

Supreme Court sides with Catholic charity in religious-rights case over unemployment taxes

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Thursday handed down a unanimous ruling in a religious rights case, finding that a Catholic charity in Wisconsin can't be required to pay unemployment taxes when other religious groups are exempt.
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Muslims look forward to the annual Eid feast. Many Africans are now struggling to afford it

Muslims look forward to the annual Eid feast. Many Africans are now struggling to afford it

KARA, Nigeria (AP) — Muslim families across west Africa are grappling with the steep cost of rams for the traditional sacrifice that is central to the celebration of Eid al-Adha , a struggle that mirrors the region's deepening economic and humanitari
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More than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims are in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj

More than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims are in Saudi Arabia for the Hajj

ARAFAT, Saudi Arabia (AP) — More than 1.5 million foreign pilgrims are in Saudi Arabia for this year's Hajj , a government spokesperson said Wednesday.
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