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Bejeweled crown stolen from Virgin Mary statue at Philadelphia church

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A man broke into a Philadelphia church and stole a 125-year-old bejeweled crown from atop a marble statue of the Virgin Mary, city police said Monday. The burglary at St.
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Clarification: Church Theft-Golden Crown story

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — In a story published Jan. 13, 2025, The Associated Press reported that a crown stolen from a Philadelphia church was created by James E. Caldwell & Co. around 1900.
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National Baptists’ new president, Boise Kimber, seeks to include women, young leaders

National Baptists’ new president, Boise Kimber, seeks to include women, young leaders

(RNS) — The Rev. Boise Kimber was officially installed as president of the National Baptist Convention , USA, Inc.
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Many colleges are settling antisemitism cases. Some Republicans blast 'toothless' agreements

Many colleges are settling antisemitism cases. Some Republicans blast 'toothless' agreements

WASHINGTON (AP) — Many colleges accused of tolerating antisemitism on their campuses have been settling with federal civil rights investigators in the weeks before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who urged a tougher response to camp
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Many colleges are settling antisemitism cases. Some Republicans blast 'toothless' agreements

Many colleges are settling antisemitism cases. Some Republicans blast 'toothless' agreements

WASHINGTON (AP) — Many colleges accused of tolerating antisemitism on their campuses have been settling with federal civil rights investigators in the weeks before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who urged a tougher response to camp
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Benin's mecca of spirits and gods draws tourists and followers with famed Voodoo festival

Benin's mecca of spirits and gods draws tourists and followers with famed Voodoo festival

OUIDAH, Benin (AP) — As children dance with great speed and energy in colorful robes, guided by the drumbeats and chants from dance troupes, the gods and spirits that are evident all around the arena are beckoned upon by the old and young for peace a
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Concerns raised over comments referencing Muslims reposted by Tory leadership hopeful

Concerns raised over comments referencing Muslims reposted by Tory leadership hopeful

WINNIPEG — One of the two candidates for the leadership of the Manitoba Progressive Conservatives is under fire over a social media post that referred to his opponent's Muslim faith.
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Pope Francis is introspective and self-critical in his autobiography, at least about his youth

Pope Francis is introspective and self-critical in his autobiography, at least about his youth

ROME (AP) — An introspective Pope Francis has divulged some of the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the secret 2013 conclave that elected him pope and the resistance he has encountered ever since, in his autobiography being released Tuesday that also do
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4 men charged in a Brooklyn synagogue tunnel scuffle are awaiting trial in April

4 men charged in a Brooklyn synagogue tunnel scuffle are awaiting trial in April

NEW YORK (AP) — Four men accused of damaging a Brooklyn synagogue during a melee that followed the discovery of a secret tunnel at the global headquarters of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement of Hasidic Judaism are set to stand trial after turning down a
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Millions of pilgrims and naked, ash-smeared ascetics take holy dips in India's mega Hindu festival

Millions of pilgrims and naked, ash-smeared ascetics take holy dips in India's mega Hindu festival

PRAYAGRAJ, India (AP) — Tens of thousands of naked Hindu ascetics and millions of pilgrims took dips in freezing water at the confluence of sacred rivers in northern India on Tuesday, in the first of a series of major baths in the Maha Kumbh festival
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