Japan's aging 'Hidden Christians' fear they may be their religion's last generation
His face weathered from years at sea, kimono-clad fisherman Masaichi Kawasaki kneels before an altar adorned with images of the Virgin Mary, crossing himself as he softly intones chants handed down through centuries. Kawasaki, 69, is one of a dwindling number of Japan's "Kakure Kirishitan," ...
India's top court to rule on Ayodhya land at center of bitter Hindu-Muslim dispute
The most contested plot of land in India has unleashed deadly riots and set Hindu against Muslim. Now the nation's top court will decide who owns it. In dispute is a scrap of land in Ayodhya, a sleepy northern temple town that is a holy ...
China warns U.S. that criticism over Uighurs not 'helpful' for trade talks
The United States and 22 other countries at the United Nations pushed China on Tuesday to stop detaining ethnic Uighurs and other Muslims, prompting China's U.N. envoy to warn it was not "helpful" for trade talks between Beijing and Washington. China has been widely condemned ...
Pomp and splendor: What to expect from the ceremonies for Emperor Naruhito's enthronement
To the joy of some, and perhaps the surprise of others, next Tuesday is a one-off national holiday. While some may happily take the day off, it is also the day when dignitaries from across Japan and the world will gather in Tokyo to witness ...
Expectations are growing that Pope Francis will meet with an 83-year-old man whose death sentence was recently suspended after a 48-year stint on death row, to send a clear signal about his opposition to capital punishment. It was reported in mid-September that the Vatican is ...
With installation of more cardinals, Pope Francis sets future direction of Catholic Church
Pope Francis installed new cardinals on Saturday, putting his stamp on the future of the Roman Catholic Church with men who share his vision for social justice, the rights of immigrants and dialogue with Islam. Ten of the 13 bishops elevated to the high rank ...
'Ultraman Buddha' art in Thailand brings complaint to police from hard-line group
Thai Buddhist hard-liners have filed a police complaint against a young female artist over paintings that depict Buddha as the 1960s Japanese superhero Ultraman. The complaint over four paintings, displayed last week at a shopping mall in northeastern Thailand, highlights the emboldenment of ultraconservative Buddhist ...
U.S. will aim to persuade others to 'call out' China over Uighurs at U.N.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Friday the United States would use the United Nations General Assembly this month to persuade countries to help "call out" China over treatment of its Uighur Muslim minority. Asked after a speech at Kansas State University how ...
Tokyo temple mixes Buddhism with beatboxing to attract younger, more diverse crowd
Buddhism meets beatboxing, hip-hop dancing and laser light shows at a temple in Tokyo, where efforts to get youth and foreign nationals interested in the centuries-old religion have taken on a modern twist. About 30 students from around the world visited Komyoji temple on Thursday ...
Ex-Vatican treasurer George Pell loses appeal against sex abuse convictions in Australia
Former Vatican treasurer Cardinal George Pell lost an appeal against his conviction for sexually abusing two 13-year-old choir boys and will remain in prison for at least another three years, an Australian court ruled Wednesday. Pell, the highest ranking Catholic worldwide to be convicted of ...
Muslim insurgent group holds first meeting with Thai government
The main group fighting an insurgency in Thailand's largely Muslim south has held its first meeting with officials from the new Thai government and set out demands as a condition for any formal peace talks. The insurgency in the Malay-speaking region of the predominantly Buddhist ...
Families of Kashmir detainees still don't know where they are, or why they are being held
A week and a half after Indian authorities began detaining hundreds of local leaders and activists in Kashmir, fearing violence after the region's special status was withdrawn, it is unclear in many cases where they are — or even why they were taken away. On ...
