Ó£ÌÒÊÓƵ

RELIGION December 23, 2016

A Pakistani girl is snatched away, payment for a family debt

The girl called Jeevti was just 14 when she taken from her family in the night to be married off to a man who says her family owed him $1,000.

RELIGION December 23, 2016

Philippines warned of rainy Christmas from tropical storm

A tropical storm nearing the Philippines on Friday may strengthen into a typhoon, bringing moderate to heavy rains and blustery weather on Christmas Day, the biggest holiday in the predominantly Roman Catholic nation.

VIDEO December 22, 2016

Has the Democratic Party become hostile towards religion?

Secularism's impact on election 2016

Persecutions December 22, 2016

Number of Christians celebrating Christmas in Saudi Arabia growing, but religious liberty isn't

While many of the doors in the Arab nation are firmly closed to him, Santa Claus is busier than ever as underground Christmas celebrations there attract more and more guests.

RELIGION December 22, 2016

AP PHOTOS: Highland Guatemalans mark St. Thomas festival

Fireworks are launched to accompany three bands playing simultaneously at the corners of an emblematic market after eight days of uninterrupted celebrations honoring St. Thomas, the patron of the Mayan town of Chichicastenango.

Europe December 22, 2016

Romania delays nomination of first female Muslim leader

Romania's president says he needs more time to nominate a new prime minister, delaying the formal confirmation in office of the country's first female Muslim premier.

Europe December 22, 2016

A look at key events in Syria's Aleppo since March 2011

After the government's capture of the rebel-held east of the city, here's a look at key events in Aleppo since the start of Syria's uprising nearly six years ago: — March 2011: Protests erupt in the southern city of Daraa over the detention of a group of boys accused of painting anti-government graffiti on a school wall.

Europe December 22, 2016

Pope denounces resistance to reform in Christmas greeting

Pope Francis has denounced the resistance he is encountering in reforming the Vatican bureaucracy, saying some of it is inspired by the devil and that the prelates who work for him must undergo a process of "permanent purification" to serve him and the Catholic Church better.

RELIGION December 22, 2016

Held on obscenity charges, Egyptian author freed from prison

An Egyptian author walked out of a Cairo police station on Thursday after a court suspended his two-year prison sentence pending review of his appeal on obscenity charges.

Europe December 22, 2016

US-based cleric rejects links to Russian envoy's killing

A U.S.-based Muslim cleric has condemned the killing of Russia's envoy to Turkey and rejected accusations that his movement was behind the attack.