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Europe September 11, 2016

The Latest: Turkey hails US-Russian deal on Syria

The Latest on Syria's civil war (all times local): 3 p.m.

RELIGION September 11, 2016

Muslim pilgrims begin hajj, but this year without Iranians

Close to 2 million people from around the world have begun performing the rites of the Islamic hajj pilgrimage, entering into a state of physical and spiritual purity and circling the cube-shaped Kaaba with their palms facing upward in supplication and prayer.

Europe September 10, 2016

Rising Uighur militancy changes security landscape for China

They have been praised by the leader of al-Qaida and wooed by the head of the Islamic State group.

GLOBAL ECONOMY September 10, 2016

Ethiopia frees Muslims jailed after protests over religion

Ethiopia's chief prosecutor says the country has pardoned hundreds of convicts, among them Muslims jailed under anti-terror laws for opposing what they called government interference in their religion.

Europe September 10, 2016

Jailed PKK leader to meet with family for Eid

Turkey's state-run news agency says the imprisoned leader of the Kurdish rebels will be allowed to meet with family during an upcoming Islamic holiday.

Europe September 10, 2016

Officials unsure of deal as Kerry arrives for Syria talks

Senior U.S. officials played down hopes Friday of an imminent cease-fire agreement for Syria as U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry arrived in Geneva for a fourth set of negotiations with his Russian counterpart in the last two weeks.

GLOBAL ECONOMY September 10, 2016

AP EXPLAINS: How Uighur militants are affecting China

The suicide bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan on Aug. 30 highlighted the expanding threat of an ethnic Uighur militant group called the East Turkestan Islamic Movement — and the growing Chinese involvement in Syria and Afghanistan to combat it.

RELIGION September 9, 2016

Annan: Myanmar mission to ease tensions, not probe rights

Former U.N.

RELIGION September 9, 2016

AP PHOTOS: Faithful await hajj on historic Saudi mountaintop

Muslims awaiting the start of the annual hajj pilgrimage have climbed a historic mountaintop looking over the holy city of Mecca, taking in its modern sights from a place revered in Islamic history.

Europe September 9, 2016

Retired pope offers final reflections on papacy, Francis

Retired Pope Benedict XVI has acknowledged that governing the church wasn't his strong suit but says he doesn't see his papacy as a failure and that he succeeded at least in breaking up the Vatican's so-called "gay lobby." In a new, book-length interview, excerpts of which were published Thursday in Corriere della Sera, Benedict also said he was shocked, and initially uncertain, about the election of Pope Francis.