Religion and politics

France moves closer to banning veils in sports competitions

By Samuel Petrequin Jan. 19, 2022 05:31 AM EST
The French Senate has voted in favor of banning the wearing of headscarves in sports competitions, arguing that neutrality is a requirement on the field of play. ...

Residents wearing masks pass by a countdown clock for the Beijing Winter Olympic Games at the Wangfujing retail street in Beijing Sunday, Oct. 3, 2021. When the International Olympic Committee awarded Beijing the 2008 Summer Olympics, it said the Games would improve human rights and civil liberties in China. There is no such lofty talk this time with Beijing's 2022 Olympics - the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Games - opening in just four months on Feb. 4. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Beijing Olympics open in 4 months; human rights talk absent

By Stephen Wade Oct. 04, 2021 11:14 AM EDT

Artem Dolgopyat of Israel, poses after winning the gold medal after the floor exercise during the artistic gymnastics men's apparatus final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Tokyo, Japan. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)

Olympian Dolgopyat arrives home to hero's welcome in Israel

By Laurie Kellman Aug. 03, 2021 07:31 AM EDT

Artem Dolgopyat of Israel, left, celebrates after winning the gold medal on the floor exercise during the artistic gymnastics men's apparatus final at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021, in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Israel's Olympic gold victory raises Jewish identity debate

By Ilan Ben Zion Aug. 02, 2021 02:52 PM EDT

FILE - In this Feb. 5, 2021, file photo, the logos for the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics and Paralympics are seen during an exhibit at a visitors center at the Winter Olympic venues in Yanqing on the outskirts of Beijing. China on Thursday, July 8, 2021, criticized what it called the “politicization of sports” after British lawmakers urged a boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics unless China allows an investigation of complaints of human rights abuses in its northwest.(AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

China slams Olympic boycott call, 'politicization of sports'

Jul. 08, 2021 09:12 AM EDT

Secretary of State Antony Blinken, center, accompanied by tour guide Alessandro Conforti, right, and Chargé d'Affaires of the U.S. Embassy to the Holy See Patrick Connell, left, gets a tour of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican in Rome, Monday, June 28, 2021. Blinken is on a week long trip in Europe traveling to Germany, France and Italy. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)

Pope voices 'affection' for Americans as he meets Blinken

By Frances D'emilio Jun. 28, 2021 07:38 AM EDT

Supporters light candles as they offer prayers for former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III Friday, June 25, 2021 in Quezon city, Philippines. Aquino, the son of pro-democracy icons who helped topple dictator Ferdinand Marcos and had troublesome ties with China, died Thursday, a cousin and public officials said. He was 61. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Aquino, Philippine ex-leader who challenged China, is buried

By Jim Gomez And Aaron Favila Jun. 26, 2021 02:46 AM EDT

A general view of the public viewing of former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III's wake at the Church of Gesu, Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, Philippines, Friday, June 25, 2021. Aquino, the son of pro-democracy icons who helped topple dictator Ferdinand Marcos and had troublesome ties with China, died Thursday, a cousin and public officials said. He was 61. (Mark Cristino/Pool Photo via AP)

Late Philippine leader hailed for integrity, guts vs China

By Joeal Calupitan And Aaron Favila Jun. 25, 2021 04:04 AM EDT

Honor guards stand next to the urn of former Philippine President Benigno Aquino III at the Heritage Memorial Park in Taguig, Philippines on Thursday, June 24, 2021. Aquino, the son of pro-democracy icons who helped topple dictator Ferdinand Marcos and had troublesome ties with China, died Thursday, a cousin and public officials said. He was 61. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Philippine democracy scion, ex-leader Benigno Aquino dies

By Jim Gomez Jun. 24, 2021 10:49 AM EDT

FILE - In this Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2020, file photo, Indonesian Islamic cleric and the leader of Islamic Defenders Front Rizieq Shihab, center, gestures to his followers as he arrives from Saudi Arabia in Jakarta, Indonesia. Shihab was sentenced to another four years in prison on Thursday, June 24, 2021, for concealing information about his coronavirus test result. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim, File)

Indonesian cleric gets 4 years for concealing COVID-19 test

By Niniek Karmini And Dita Alangkara Jun. 24, 2021 01:45 AM EDT

One Nevada church settles, other pressing COVID-19 lawsuit

By Scott Sonner Jun. 23, 2021 04:43 PM EDT
RENO, Nev. (AP) — The state has agreed to pay $175,000 in legal fees to settle a lawsuit with a rural Nevada church over COVID-19 capacity caps on religious...

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, center, chairs the first weekly cabinet meeting of the new government in Jerusalem, Sunday, June 20, 2021. Bennett opened his first Cabinet meeting on Sunday since swearing in his new coalition government with a condemnation of the newly elected Iranian president, whom he called “the hangman of Tehran.” (Emmanuel Dunand/Pool Photo via AP)

Israel launches official probe into deadly festival stampede

Jun. 20, 2021 08:30 AM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 24, 2018, photo, Ammon Bundy poses for a photo in Emmett, Idaho. On Saturday, June 19, 2021, anti-government activist Bundy came out with his first video announcing his campaign to become governor of Idaho. (Kelsey Grey/Idaho Statesman via AP)

Anti-government activist Bundy issues Idaho campaign videos

By The Associated Press Jun. 19, 2021 10:23 PM EDT

In this image taken from video, Archbishop José Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, addresses the body's virtual assembly on Wednesday, June 16, 2021. (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops via AP)

US Catholic bishops OK steps toward possible rebuke of Biden

By David Crary Jun. 18, 2021 03:42 PM EDT

FILE - This June 8, 2021 file photo shows the Supreme Court building in Washington. A Thursday, June 17, 2021 Supreme Court ruling that favored Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia was far from the constitutional gale wind that would have reshaped how courts interpret religious liberty under the First Amendment. Governmental entities are now on notice that if they want to ban discrimination against LGBTQ persons or anyone else, they had better not allow for any exceptions – or else religious groups will have the right to ask for them, and they'll have a strong case for getting them. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Catholic foster care agency wins Supreme Court verdict

By Jessica Gresko Jun. 17, 2021 03:20 PM EDT

Panel OKs House GOP bill to ban employer vaccine mandates

By Mark Scolforo Jun. 15, 2021 12:17 PM EDT
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — A ban on employers mandating vaccines for their workers inched ahead in the state House on Tuesday with a committee vote supported by...

Court orders new look at minister's virus restriction suit

By Kevin Mcgill Jun. 12, 2021 01:27 PM EDT
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A federal appeals court has revived a Louisiana minister’s lawsuit challenging now-expired coronavirus restrictions on church services. ...