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How a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace thrust a Texas monk and his rescue dog into the spotlight

Earlier this year, the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, a Buddhist monk from Texas, led a Walk for Peace with an international group of monks and his rescue dog, Aloka.

 

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Robotic elephants draw crowds and controversy in some of India’s Hindu temples

In India’s southern state of Kerala, robotic elephants are replacing live ones in temple festivals. Rising concerns about elephant abuse and dangerous incidents have led to this change.

 

Los Angeles Knight Riders play first game in new stadium as Olympic cricket buzz grows

The Los Angeles Knight Riders have played their first home game on a new cricket field in Southern California.

 

A Pentagon list overhaul puts Mormon church’s Christian identity back in the spotlight

The Pentagon’s recent revision to its list of Christian religions has reignited a long-standing debate about whether The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a Christian denomination.

 

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Underwater memorial to wrecked slave ship draws pilgrims seeking to connect with their roots

A group of Black divers recently visited the site where the British slave ship Henrietta Marie sank 326 years ago.

 

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After the Los Angeles wildfires, clergy crossed denominational lines and forged new bonds

Faith leaders in Southern California are uniting after devastating twin wildfires that hit the region in January 2025 causing unprecedented losses.

 

New cricket stadium in Southern California heralds the sport’s Olympic return after 128 years

Cricket is set to return to the Olympics in 2028. Construction has begun on a new 10,000-seat stadium in Pomona, California, which will serve as the venue for men’s and women’s cricket.

 

What a new Gallup poll shows about young men’s religious revival

A new Gallup poll shows more young men in the U.S. now say religion is “very important” in their lives compared to young women.

 

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Monthslong meditation on impermanence at a remote California Zen retreat meets a real-life fire

A fire destroyed the main meditation hall at Tassajara Mountain Zen Center in Central California, as monks neared the end of a long retreat.

 

In wrangling dark matter, some scientists find inspiration in the Torah, Krishna and Christ

Dark matter and dark energy are mysteries that have confounded scientists for decades, even though they comprise 95% of the universe’s mass.

 

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Trump says he will sign an emergency order to pay TSA agents

Today’s live updates have ended. Read what you missed below and find more coverage at apnews.com.

 

Pope announces resignation of US bishop accused of embezzling $270K from California parish

Pope Leo XIV says a Chaldean Catholic bishop has resigned after he was arrested while trying to leave the U.S. following accusations that he embezzled $270,000 from his parish near San Diego.

 

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What to know about Holi, the Hindu festival of colors

Holi is the Hindu festival of colors, which celebrates love, renewal and rejuvenation. Holi typically falls in March and heralds the beginning of spring.

 

Teeth, finger bones and blessings: Buddhist relics inspire belief

Every Lunar New Year for the past 14 years, a Southern California Buddhist temple has displayed what it calls the “10,000 Buddha Relics.”

 

Buddhist monks draw thousands to Lincoln Memorial on final day of their 15-week journey from Texas

A group of Buddhist monks has completed a 108-day Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington, bringing its message to the nation’s capital.

 

Buddhist monks’ 15-week walk for peace ends in Washington, DC

A group of Buddhist monks has finally reached Washington, D.C., after completing a 15-week trek from Texas that captivated the country.

 

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Spiritual ties of ousted Venezuelan President Maduro and successor include guru Sathya Sai Baba

Venezuela’s former President Nicolás Maduro and the country’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez were both raised Catholic in an overwhelmingly Christian country.

 

Buddhist monks and their dog captivate Americans while walking for peace

A group of Buddhist monks is getting viral attention with their 2,300-mile Walk for Peace from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C.

 

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Ancient meditation practices find new life in modern religious communities across America

Meditation has been a common feature for eons in religious traditions from Buddhism to yoga, which originated as an ancient spiritual practice in India rooted in Hindu philosophy.

 

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Faith leaders embrace sound baths to connect with spiritual seekers

Sound baths are meditative experiences where participants lie down and are immersed in sound waves from instruments like gongs, singing bowls and chimes.

 

Mormon church lowers minimum age for women missionaries to 18

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says it has lowered the minimum age for women serving as missionaries from 19 to 18.

 

New museum in California offers immersive experience of the Shroud of Turin

A museum dedicated to the Shroud of Turin has opened at the Christ Cathedral campus in Garden Grove, California.

 

JD Vance hopes his Hindu wife converts to Christianity, sparking debate on interfaith marriage

Vice President JD Vance’s recent comments about hoping his Hindu wife converts to Christianity have sparked discussions about interfaith marriages.

 

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Erika Kirk’s words spotlight forgiveness in a divided nation

Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, has sparked a conversation about forgiveness after forgiving the man accused of assassinating her husband.

 

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Undergarment upgrades bring many Mormon women comfort and joy

New sleeveless sacred undergarments for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are now available in the U.S., exciting many women in the faith.

 

Learn about Diwali, the Festival of Lights

Diwali is the most important festival of the year in India and for Hindus in particular. It is celebrated across faiths in the world’s most populous nation and the diaspora.

 

California makes Diwali an official statewide holiday

California is the third U.S. state to designate Diwali as an official statewide holiday. The law, newly signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, takes effect January 1.

 

Mourners remember Latter-day Saints president as a ‘healer of hearts,’ spiritually and literally

Mourners reflected on the life and legacy of Russell M. Nelson, the charismatic sentimentalist who oversaw a global temple building boom as president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at a funeral service in Salt Lake City.

 

First female Archbishop of Canterbury still an outlier among world’s top religious leaders

For the first time, a woman will serve as the Archbishop of Canterbury, following the 105 men who have held the role since St.

 

Takeaways from AP’s report about financial allegations against worship leader Sean Feucht

Sean Feucht, a conservative Christian worship leader, gained attention in 2020 by defying COVID-19 restrictions with protest concerts.

 

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