Deepa Bharath

Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, a Vietnamese-born Theravada monk based at a Buddhist temple in Fort Worth, gained international attention after leading a 2,300-mile Walk for Peace to Washington, D.C., alongside fellow monks and his rescue dog, Aloka. The journey drew large crowds and online followers while promoting peace, loving-kindness and compassion. The former information technology professional became a monk after years of witnessing suffering and disillusionment, later studying Vipassana meditation in Myanmar and organizing COVID-era food drives. His experiences also inspired the proposed $200 million Dhammacetiya project, which would build 840 stupas preserving Buddhist teachings. Pannakara deliberately avoided political positions during the walk, a choice some fellow monks support as a way to maintain broad appeal, while others hope he eventually addresses poverty, hunger, housing and climate issues.

Robotic elephants are increasingly being introduced into Hindu temple festivals in Kerala as a safer and more humane alternative to live elephants, supported by animal welfare groups such as PETA India. Engineers and artists crafting the animatronic models aim to preserve the cultural essence of traditional processions, while priests and some temple administrators endorse the shift for safety and ethical reasons. Traditionalists and elephant owners oppose the change, viewing real elephants as sacred and integral to rituals. The debate reflects tensions between cultural tradition, public safety concerns and modern efforts to reduce animal exploitation.

The Los Angeles Knight Riders opened their new $21 million cricket stadium in Pomona with a match against the Washington Freedom, attracting about 2,000 mostly South Asian spectators. The eight-pitch facility is intended to support Major League Cricket’s growth ahead of cricket’s return to the Olympics at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Plans include expanding temporary seating to more than 20,000 permanent seats, adding a professional practice facility and creating a cricket academy. Players, fans and league officials said the new venue could help develop American talent and establish a lasting professional cricket presence in Southern California.

The Pentagon’s overhaul of its list of religious affiliations reignited a longstanding dispute over whether the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints should be classified as Christian. Republican senators Mike Lee and John Curtis, both Latter-day Saints, criticized the exclusion, while the Defense Department said the list was an administrative tool and made no judgment about religious legitimacy. Latter-day Saints emphasize their faith in Jesus Christ, but Catholic and other Christian scholars point to differences over the Trinity, the nature of God and additional scripture. The debate also reflects broader tensions between Latter-day Saints and evangelical Christians and a history of suspicion toward Latter-day Saint military chaplains.

Black divers and community members made a pilgrimage to the underwater memorial marking the Henrietta Marie, a British slave ship that sank near Key West in 1700 after transporting enslaved Africans. Participants described the coral-covered monument as a place of ancestral connection, spiritual healing and living history. The group also honored African refugees who died after being rescued from slave ships in 1860 and visited museum exhibits displaying shackles recovered from the wreck. Organizers and participants emphasized preserving Black history, protecting underwater habitats and resisting efforts to minimize or rewrite the history of slavery.

Clergy in Pacific Palisades, Altadena and Pasadena have developed stronger interfaith partnerships while helping communities recover from devastating January 2025 wildfires. Religious leaders are providing emotional and material support, learning about insurance and land-use rules, lobbying officials, arranging mental-health services and protecting longtime Black landowners from displacement by developers. Several damaged or destroyed congregations are rebuilding, while others are reconsidering how their properties can support affordable housing, arts and broader community needs. The recovery has deepened relationships across denominations and made houses of worship important symbols of hope and return.

Cricket will return to the Olympics at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, where a new 10,000-plus-seat stadium in Pomona is being built as the home of the Los Angeles Knight Riders. Investors and advocates believe Olympic visibility and Major League Cricket can introduce the sport to mainstream American audiences and develop US talent. Skeptics warn that weak grassroots participation, imported players, poor administration and conflict between USA Cricket and American Cricket Enterprises could limit long-term growth.

Gallup data shows a notable rise in religiosity among U.S. men ages 18–29: 42% now say religion is very important to them, up from 28% in 2022–2023 and, for the first time in 25 years, higher than the comparable figure for young women. The increase is concentrated among young Republicans, whose religious attendance has risen while attendance among young Democrats has generally declined. Researchers link the shift to political and cultural differences, including young women's growing liberalism and concerns that religion is patriarchal, while some young men may view religious institutions as places offering acceptance, status and influence. Other survey data shows young men are more likely than young women to regard divorce, abortion and homosexuality as morally wrong. Religious leaders also cite loneliness, mental-health concerns and the search for community as factors drawing people to faith. Gallup researchers say the broader decline in American religiosity may be slowing, although young women remain less likely than older women to attend services regularly.

A Gallup poll finds that 42% of U.S. men aged 18–29 now consider religion very important, up from 28% in 2022–2023 and surpassing young women for the first time in 25 years. The reversal is concentrated among young adults, particularly Republicans, whose religious attendance has risen while attendance among young Democrats has generally declined. Experts link the shift to political and moral differences, young men's search for acceptance and influence, and young women's concerns about religion's association with patriarchy and restrictions on abortion and LGBTQ rights. Religious leaders also cite loneliness, polarization and a desire for belonging, while Gallup says the broader decline in young people's religiosity may be slowing.

A fire destroyed the wooden meditation hall at California’s remote Tassajara Mountain Zen Center during a three-month Buddhist retreat focused on impermanence. Monks and staff, led by experienced former director David Zimmerman, contained the blaze with hoses and buckets until volunteer firefighters arrived, saving dozens of nearby structures and avoiding injuries. The center is assessing whether sacred objects—including a Gandharan Buddha statue, a Japanese bell and a mokugyo drum—can be recovered. Despite the loss, leaders and practitioners view the event through the Buddhist teaching that all things are temporary, while hoping to reopen the site’s hot springs to visitors in summer. The fire also highlights the ecological and operational risks associated with Tassajara’s remote location and its history of wildfires.

Dark matter and dark energy remain among the universe’s greatest scientific mysteries, prompting some researchers to explore connections between astrophysics, religion and spirituality. Scientists including Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, Brittany Kamai and Doug Watson describe drawing inspiration from Jewish, Native Hawaiian and Hindu traditions without treating religious stories as scientific evidence. Others, including Adam Frank, stress that science and spirituality should not be conflated, while Christian, Buddhist and Islamic thinkers describe cosmic awe and scientific inquiry as compatible with faith. The shared conclusion is that contemplating the unknown can encourage curiosity, humility, meaning and a sense of connection, even when it does not produce scientific explanations.

Holi is a Hindu festival marking the arrival of spring and celebrating love, renewal and the triumph of good over evil. In 2026, it is set to be observed on 4 March, with Holika Dahan taking place beforehand in many communities. Celebrations include bonfires, music, dancing, coloured powders and water, while Hindu mythology connects the festival to Prahlad and Holika, Shiva and Kamadeva, and Krishna and Radha. Traditional foods such as gujia and thandai are central to the festivities, which are also marked by temples, community groups and diaspora communities through parades, Bollywood-themed events and cultural programmes.

Buddhist devotees in Southern California and elsewhere venerate teeth, bones and pearl-like shariras believed to come from Buddha and spiritually realized monks. Believers regard the relics as active sources of blessings and signs of spiritual attainment, while scholars explain that they connect worshippers to Buddha, who is understood to be absent from the world after enlightenment. The article also notes widespread doubts and reports of counterfeit relics, including questions about a famous Buddha tooth in Singapore. Buddhist teachers differ in emphasis: some describe relics as miraculous and merit-generating, while others, including the Fo Guang Shan order, caution that they should not overshadow Buddha’s teachings and ethical practice.

Lunar New Year begins on 17 February 2026 and is celebrated across Asia and diaspora communities worldwide through parades, family gatherings, fireworks, cultural performances and traditional foods. The Chinese zodiac designates 2026 as the Year of the Horse, associated with freedom, vitality, independence and ambition. The article explains the lunar calendar, differences among Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean zodiac traditions, legends surrounding red decorations and firecrackers, ancestor-related ceremonies, diaspora celebrations and customary foods including long-life noodles, banh chung, banh tet and tteokguk.

The 2026 Lunar New Year will mark the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac, associated with freedom, vitality, ambition and new opportunities. Lunar New Year celebrations across Asia and diaspora communities typically include red decorations, firecrackers, red envelopes, ancestor worship and traditional foods such as dumplings, rice cakes and long-life noodles.

Nineteen Buddhist monks and their dog, Aloka, completed a 2,300-mile, 108-day Walk for Peace from Texas to Washington, attracting large crowds and thousands of livestream viewers. Joined by about 100 monks and nuns, they walked to Capitol Hill before a planned concluding event and meditation at the Lincoln Memorial. Led by Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the group promoted mindfulness, meditation and inner peace. The journey included a serious highway accident near Houston that injured two monks and led to the amputation of Venerable Maha Dam Phommasan’s leg. The monks planned to return to Texas by bus and finish with a short walk to their temple in Fort Worth.

Nineteen Buddhist monks completed a 15-week, 2,300-mile peace walk from Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., accompanied by their rescue dog, Aloka. Thousands greeted them in the capital by shouting “Sadhu,” while the monks’ journey drew national attention for its message of peace and mindfulness. The trek included serious injuries after an escort-vehicle collision near Houston, including one monk’s leg amputation. The monks are scheduled to visit the National Cathedral and Lincoln Memorial and will ask for Vesak, Buddha’s birthday, to be recognized as a national holiday.

Nineteen Buddhist monks reached Washington, D.C., after a 2,300-mile, 15-week peace walk from Fort Worth, Texas. Their journey, supported by large crowds and followed widely online, promotes mindfulness, compassion and peace across political and religious divisions. In Washington, they will appear at the National Cathedral and Lincoln Memorial and submit a request for Vesak, Buddha’s birthday, to become a national holiday, while emphasizing that the walk is a spiritual offering rather than a political campaign. The trek included harsh weather and a highway crash that injured two monks, one of whom lost a leg.

Nineteen Theravada Buddhist monks and their rescue dog, Aloka, are walking 2,300 miles from a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Fort Worth, Texas, to Washington, D.C., drawing large and ideologically diverse crowds across the southern United States. Led by the barefoot Bhikkhu Pannakara, the pilgrimage promotes mindfulness, forgiveness and healing rather than conversion, while also seeking congressional recognition of Vesak—the Buddha’s birth and enlightenment day—as a federal holiday. The journey has inspired churches, farms and civic communities despite severe physical demands and a highway crash that injured two monks, one of whom lost a leg. Supporters and scholars say the monks’ visible sacrifice offers comfort and a sense of unity amid social division and personal grief.

Religious communities across the United States are reviving contemplative practices, combining Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Christian traditions with modern meditation formats. Examples include Zen meditation at an Episcopal church in Pasadena, Jewish meditation through Or HaLev, music and mantra events at Princeton University Chapel, Buddhist programs at a Unitarian Universalist congregation in New York, Sufi meditation integrating breathwork and yoga, and renewed Catholic interest in centering prayer. Supporters cite spiritual depth, community and mental-health benefits, while critics raise concerns about superstition and the cultural appropriation or commercialization of Eastern practices.

Faith communities in Southern California are increasingly using sound baths—immersive sessions featuring singing bowls, gongs, drums, chanting and other instruments—to connect with people who seek spiritual community without identifying as religious. Buddhist, Jewish and Christian leaders describe adapting the practice to their traditions rather than using it primarily for conversion. Participants report improved focus, sleep, emotional release and serenity, while researchers and sound therapists offer explanations involving meditation and neural entrainment, though the practice remains rooted in both contemporary wellness culture and longstanding religious beliefs about sacred sound.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will allow women to begin missionary service at age 18, reducing the previous minimum by one year and matching the age for men. The change, introduced under President Dallin H. Oaks, is intended to give young women more flexibility and may increase female participation, which currently stands at about 25,000 of the church's 85,000 missionaries. However, missions remain longer for men, missionary service is encouraged for men but optional for women, and the church's highest leadership positions remain restricted to men.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will allow women to begin missionary service at age 18, matching the minimum age for men. The change, announced under church President Dallin H. Oaks, is expected to increase female missionary participation after a 2012 age reduction already more than doubled women’s share of missionaries to about 29%. Men will still serve for two years compared with 18 months for women, missionary service remains optional for women, and senior church leadership is reserved for men. The church has also announced 55 new missions to help meet anticipated demand.

A 10,000-square-foot immersive museum exhibit dedicated to the Shroud of Turin has opened at the Christ Cathedral campus in Garden Grove, California. Created primarily by Rome-based Othonia and funded with $5 million in private donations, the exhibit features projections, replicas, interactive displays and a life-size sculpture depicting Christ. The exhibition presents both the shroud's scientific controversies and its religious significance: carbon dating places the cloth in the medieval period, while proponents argue contamination may have distorted the results and cite evidence they believe points to an ancient origin. Researchers and Catholic advocates offer theories involving radiation and Christ's resurrection, while acknowledging that science cannot conclusively establish the shroud's identity. The exhibit is scheduled to remain in California through at least 2030.

JD Vance said he hopes his Hindu wife, Usha Chilukuri Vance, will eventually convert to Christianity, while acknowledging that she has free will and no plans to convert. Religious and marriage experts warn that pressuring or secretly expecting conversion can damage interfaith relationships, emphasizing respect, honest communication, and clear decisions about raising children. Vance and his wife raise their children as Christians, while the Hindu American Foundation criticized his remarks as reflecting a belief in a single path to salvation. Experts also noted that interfaith marriages are increasingly common in the United States and can succeed when spouses support rather than seek to replace each other’s religious traditions.

Erika Kirk’s public forgiveness of the man accused of killing her husband, conservative activist Charlie Kirk, prompted similar declarations from actor Tim Allen and members of a Michigan congregation attacked by a gunman. Christian leaders view forgiveness as a demanding process capable of healing trauma and challenging partisan hostility, while experts warn it must be voluntary and must not pressure victims to reconcile with abusers. Examples from Amish, Anabaptist, Jewish and Catholic communities show that responses vary depending on remorse, justice and the survivor’s circumstances. The gestures offer a possible model of compassion in a polarized United States, but remain exceptions amid widespread anger and grief.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints introduced sleeveless and more breathable versions of its sacred temple garments in the United States, prompting long lines and rapid sellouts at Utah stores. Members welcomed the changes for improving comfort, accommodating medical needs and making the garments more practical in warm climates, while emphasizing their spiritual significance as reminders of religious covenants. Mormon studies scholar Kathleen Flake said the updated designs reflect the church's effort to serve its global membership and adapt to changing clothing styles.

Diwali, the five-day Festival of Lights, is celebrated by Hindus and observed in distinct ways by Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, with shared themes of light overcoming darkness and good overcoming evil. Traditions include prayers, fireworks, feasting, gift-giving, rangoli, religious rituals and buying gold. The festival is gaining institutional recognition in the United States: California became the third state to make Diwali an official statewide holiday, allowing public schools and community colleges to close, following Pennsylvania and Connecticut.

Thousands of mourners are expected at a public funeral in Salt Lake City for Russell M. Nelson, who led The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints until his death at 101. The service will include prayers, hymns, tributes and Nelson’s hymn “Our Prayer to Thee,” while his burial at Pioneer Cemetery will be private. Church officials expect Dallin H. Oaks to succeed Nelson, though Oaks has signaled that the rapid temple-building program will slow. The ceremony will emphasize Nelson’s religious leadership, medical career and the church’s teachings about family and eternal life.

Sarah Mullally’s appointment as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury marks a historic breakthrough in the Church of England and Anglican Communion, but remains unusual among major global religions. Women hold senior roles in some Protestant denominations and have made gains in church administration, Hindu and Buddhist institutions, Islamic community leadership, and certain Jewish movements. However, Catholic priesthood, Latter-day Saint church presidency, many evangelical denominations, Orthodox Judaism, Sikh religious governance, and senior roles in traditional Islamic settings remain predominantly or exclusively male. The degree of access varies widely according to each tradition’s theology, structure, and regional practices.

Two Romanian men, Marian Barbu and Mihai-Constantin Petcu, sued former Harvest Christian Fellowship pastor and missionary Paul Havsgaard in a California federal court, alleging that he sexually abused and trafficked them and other children at a Bucharest shelter over eight years. The complaints also accuse Harvest founder Greg Laurie and other church leaders of negligence, inadequate supervision and continuing to fund Havsgaard despite warning signs. Harvest Christian Fellowship denied most of the allegations, said Havsgaard—not the church or Laurie—should be targeted, and said it had reported the claims to law enforcement. The plaintiffs’ lawyer expects at least 20 additional alleged survivors to file lawsuits.

Faith leaders and churches across Southern California are accompanying immigrants at court hearings, organizing prayer vigils and providing food, medicine, rent assistance and remote worship as the Trump administration intensifies arrests and raids. Clergy describe cases in which people were detained at courthouses despite attending proceedings and warn that fear is isolating families and reducing church attendance. Homeland Security says the enforcement campaign targets people in the country illegally or considered security risks, and promotes a $1,000 departure payment and free flights through the CBP Home app. Churches are particularly concerned about asylum-seekers, mixed-status families and people detained while awaiting translators or further legal proceedings.

The League of the Blessed Sacrament, a lay group of young Catholics, attracted strong support in the struggling Arizona village of Concho after revitalizing its parish, providing aid, opening businesses and helping troubled children. The Diocese of Gallup ordered the group to leave parish housing and stop teaching and leading liturgy, alleging that members misrepresented their religious status and acted outside church authorization. The group denies wrongdoing and believes concerns about liability related to its care of three boys may have influenced the decision. After relocating to Vernon and starting a Catholic school, the members plan to maintain businesses and a radio station in Concho while continuing their religious commitments and hoping eventually to become priests.

Bishop Alberto Rojas of the Diocese of San Bernardino has formally excused Catholics from attending Sunday Mass and holy days because immigration detentions at two parish properties have heightened fears of arrest and deportation. Rojas, himself an immigrant from Mexico, said the dispensation would ease the burden on parishioners who would otherwise attend Mass but fear for their safety and family unity. The move follows similar guidance from Nashville and comes amid broader immigration enforcement and protests in Southern California. Community leaders praised the decision, while the Diocese of Orange and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles described other forms of support, including home Communion, legal-court accompaniment and parish protocols for encounters with immigration officials.

The Israel-Iran war and fragile ceasefire are testing long-standing bonds among Los Angeles’s large Iranian Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Zoroastrian and Bahai communities. Although opposition to Iran’s current regime often unites the diaspora, Israel’s military campaign, U.S. involvement and debates over regime change have exposed differing political and religious perspectives. Iranian Jews report heightened fears that local temples and community centers could become targets, while some Muslim and Jewish activists support regime change and others worry about civilian harm and wider instability. Community leaders and younger residents are promoting interfaith dialogue and shared Persian cultural traditions as a way to preserve unity.

Religious leaders in Los Angeles and elsewhere are urging nonviolent resistance to the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown and the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to Los Angeles. Clergy have joined protests, organized prayer vigils, helped migrants understand their rights and advised congregations about responding to ICE. Supporters of the administration, including Southern Baptist pastor Robert Jeffress, cite constitutional and biblical authority for the crackdown, underscoring the divisions among U.S. faith leaders. Advocates of nonviolence acknowledge that change may be slow and require sacrifice but argue it can reduce harm and produce more lasting results.

Comics creators and scholars describe a growing movement toward more authentic representation of Sikhism, African and Caribbean spiritual traditions, Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, paganism and atheism. Vishavjit Singh’s Captain Sikh America costume uses superhero imagery to challenge anti-Sikh stereotypes, while creators such as Greg Anderson Elysée, John Porcellino and Teresa Robeson draw on religious traditions to promote identity, healing and cultural understanding. Indian publisher Amar Chitra Katha has similarly used comics to teach mythology and faith, while working to correct earlier colorist portrayals. The broader trend reflects increased involvement by people connected to the traditions being depicted and offers children both recognition and an opportunity to learn about communities different from their own.

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are increasingly using yoga, meditation, breath work and mindfulness for both physical health and spiritual growth. Practitioners describe yoga as compatible with Mormon teachings about divine embodiment, while some use it to reconcile tensions around gender, bodily shame and religious identity. Former members such as Naomi Watkins view yoga as a spiritual alternative that helped restore a sense of bodily autonomy. Others, including Thomas McConkie, say contemplative practices ultimately brought them back to Mormonism. The church has also recommended yoga for missionaries’ physical fitness, reflecting its growing acceptance within the faith.

Charu Das and his wife, Vaibhavi Devi, moved from Los Angeles to rural Utah in 1980 after buying a small radio station to broadcast Krishna-focused programming. Their property in Spanish Fork gradually became a 15-acre Hindu community centered on the Shri Shri Radha Krishna Temple, with Indian-inspired architecture, animals, gardens and a vegetarian buffet. The couple later built a second temple in Salt Lake City with support from Krishna devotees, local Hindus and members of the Latter-day Saints community. The Spanish Fork temple now hosts school tours, interfaith service projects and a popular Hindu Festival of Colors, while Das uses rap, radio and AI-generated music to connect Krishna teachings with wider audiences.

Genealogical research indicates that Pope Leo XIV's maternal great-grandparents were free people of color in Louisiana, linking him to the state's Creole, African American, Latino and possibly Haitian histories. Scholars and Black and Creole Catholics in New Orleans say his background highlights the role of African-descended people in American Catholicism and could promote a more inclusive church. The family's migration to Chicago and apparent racial reclassification illustrate how Black and Creole Americans navigated Jim Crow racism and discrimination. The pope's ancestry has also renewed hopes that the Catholic Church will acknowledge its complicated history and advance the canonization of African American Catholics.

Members of Pacific Palisades’ Community United Methodist Church carried a wooden cross through the remains of their wildfire-devastated neighborhood on Good Friday. The January fire destroyed the 102-year-old church and most congregants’ homes, while also killing longtime member Annette Rossilli and 28 others across the Los Angeles area. The procession served as a communal act of mourning and remembrance, but also highlighted signs of renewal, including rebuilding messages, recovered church artifacts and plans to incorporate salvaged pieces into a future church. Pastor John Shaver said the fire was not the community’s end and expressed hope for the congregation’s rebirth.

Superman’s religious and moral symbolism reflects his origins as a character created by Jewish writers Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, while his upbringing and stories draw on themes associated with Moses, Christ, Jewish rescue efforts and American civil religion. Scholars and creators emphasize that his broad appeal comes from hope, compassion, self-sacrifice and a commitment to preserving life rather than from any specific religious doctrine. James Gunn’s forthcoming film, starring David Corenswet, is expected to return the character to these vulnerable and altruistic ideals, contrasting with darker Superman-like portrayals such as Homelander in The Boys.

Superman’s origins and stories contain religious and ethical parallels, drawing comparisons to Christ, Moses, Buddhist spiritual figures and Jewish diaspora history without making the character explicitly religious. Scholars, writers and fans view him as a uniquely hopeful hero whose compassion, commitment to preserving life and positive masculinity contrast with darker superhero portrayals. James Gunn’s forthcoming film, starring David Corenswet, is expected to emphasize those values. Superman’s Jewish creative origins, immigrant and dual-identity themes, and capacity to inspire people across religious and cultural backgrounds help explain his enduring appeal.

Jewish families in Los Angeles are preparing for Passover after the Eaton and Palisades wildfires destroyed homes, religious spaces and inherited Judaica. At Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, 30 of 435 families lost their homes, while the sanctuary burned but all 13 Torah scrolls were saved. Congregations are relying on temporary venues and widespread community support for worship and Seders. Donation events and the Heart and Hamsa registry are helping replace lost ritual objects, offering survivors a way to preserve Jewish traditions, process trauma and rebuild their community.

Cardinal Robert McElroy, soon to become archbishop of Washington, called for compassion and dignity for migrants and criticized the Trump administration's expanded authority to arrest people at churches and other places of worship. He said border security is legitimate but warned against portraying all undocumented people as criminals, while emphasizing that his new role will be pastoral rather than political. McElroy also highlighted the large Hispanic Catholic community in Washington, the impact of federal job losses on parishioners and Pope Francis's longstanding concern for migrants and the U.S.-Mexico border.

Masjid Al-Taqwa in Altadena was destroyed in the January Eaton fire, which also displaced or killed members of its congregation and destroyed thousands of homes across Los Angeles County. With Ramadan approaching, the community found temporary space at New Horizon Islamic School to pray and share iftar several nights a week. Members describe the mosque as a multicultural spiritual and social home, and despite widespread loss, they remain determined to stay connected and eventually rebuild.

Latino evangelical churches across Florida and the southeastern United States are locking doors, livestreaming services and preparing backup leadership as undocumented pastors and congregants fear immigration arrests after the Trump administration rescinded protections for sensitive locations such as churches. Church leaders and advocacy groups say the policy is deterring people from attending worship, work and food pantries and could separate families. Some conservative Latino Christian leaders say churches should not expect raids, though targeted arrests or surveillance remain possible. Legal experts describe the law as unclear but stress that immigrants retain constitutional rights, while pastors debate how actively churches should provide refuge and resist enforcement.

Novelist and essayist Pico Iyer spoke at Pasadena’s Vroman’s Bookstore about surviving a 1990 wildfire that destroyed his family home and how the experience led him toward simplicity, silence, solitude and spiritual reflection. His account resonated with Eaton Fire survivors, including Jeremy Hunter, who lost his historic Altadena home and is trying to process both grief and a sense of liberation from possessions. Iyer credits repeated stays at New Camaldoli Hermitage in Big Sur with helping him find clarity, accept impermanence and reshape his life. The event took place as the Eaton Fire’s death toll reached at least 17, with thousands of structures destroyed and more than 14,000 acres burned, offering attendees a message of hope amid profound loss.

The Trump administration’s decision to end protections that had generally limited immigration arrests at churches, schools and hospitals has alarmed clergy and undocumented congregations across the United States. Religious leaders in Portland, Philadelphia, New York, Los Angeles and El Paso are considering sanctuary, legal education, practical aid and broader forms of resistance, while many migrants fear attending worship, work or school. Some conservative evangelical leaders support immigration enforcement but warn that the policy could turn churches into enforcement sites and deter law-abiding immigrants. The debate pits expanded immigration enforcement against religious commitments to shelter and protect vulnerable migrants.

Amada Cardenas, known as the “angel of peyote” and “Grandma Amada,” was the first federally authorized peyote dealer in the United States. Alongside her husband, Claudio Cardenas Sr., she harvested and supplied the sacred cactus to Native American Church members from their home in Mirando City, Texas, beginning in the 1930s. Despite repeated legal disputes over peyote regulations, the Cardenases defended Native Americans’ religious access to the plant. After her husband’s death, Cardenas continued hosting church members until her death in 2005 at nearly 101. Her former home is now a museum and shrine honoring her legacy as a healer, church leader and advocate for Native religious traditions.

The Native American Church is a diverse religious movement practiced by more than 50 Indigenous tribes and roughly 400,000 people in North America, united by the sacred use of peyote. Originating among the Kiowa and Comanche in the late 19th century, it developed formal church structures after government bans threatened peyote ceremonies. Members use peyote in all-night ceremonies involving prayer, singing, ritual, and spiritual contemplation, regarding its mescaline as an expression of God's spirit. Although federal law and the 1994 amendment to the American Indian Religious Freedom Act protect peyote use by members of federally recognized tribes, broader Indigenous communities remain excluded, and practitioners continue to confront legal and environmental concerns.

Peyote, a slow-growing cactus found naturally only in southern Texas and northern Mexico, is central to the religious ceremonies and cultural identity of many Native American Church members. They warn that poaching, overharvesting, development, agriculture, wind farms and the border wall are damaging its habitat, while a growing psychedelic industry could intensify demand and restrict Indigenous access. The Indigenous Peyote Conservation Initiative is restoring habitat and propagating the plant on a 605-acre Texas preserve, but church members disagree over greenhouse cultivation, commercial research and private funding. Advocates are seeking stronger federal protection and $5 million in government support to preserve peyote in its natural environment.

New Hope Presbyterian Church in Anaheim, California, has launched a free, non-audition string orchestra for young people, particularly musicians of color who may face financial, social or cultural barriers to mainstream music programs. Led by Pastor Chineta Goodjoin and supported by conductor Charles Dickerson, the orchestra provides culturally representative mentors and exposes students to classical, sacred, secular and Black-composed music. Parents and participants say the program builds belonging, confidence and musical ambition, while educators view church-based orchestras as potential pathways to summer programs, scholarships and careers.

Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is becoming the first president in the faith’s history to reach 100. The longtime leader, who assumed the presidency at 93 in 2018, oversees the church’s doctrine, policies and substantial financial holdings and is expected to serve until his death. Supporters praise his energy, spiritual authority, global temple-building campaign and efforts to diversify leadership, while critics question whether the church’s predominantly white, elderly male leadership is suited to a changing world. Nelson has also led the church through the COVID-19 pandemic, ended its century-long relationship with the Boy Scouts of America over LGBTQ+ inclusion policies, and urged members to avoid the terms “Mormon” and “LDS.”

Hunter Biden pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges after prosecutors opposed an Alford plea that would have allowed him to maintain his innocence. The plea followed the collapse of an earlier negotiated agreement and his June conviction on federal gun charges. The cases stem from allegations that he avoided more than $1.4 million in taxes between 2016 and 2019 and lied about drug use when purchasing a firearm. He now faces sentencing in both cases, with potential maximum penalties of 25 years for the gun charges and 17 years for the tax charges, although a lesser sentence is likely for a first-time offender. President Joe Biden's spokesperson reiterated that the president does not plan to pardon or commute his son's sentence.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin in Hunter Biden's federal tax trial in Los Angeles, following his Delaware conviction for lying on a federal gun-purchase form. Prosecutors accuse him of intentionally avoiding at least $1.4 million in taxes from 2016 to 2019 while spending lavishly, while his defense argues that addiction affected his intent. Judge Mark Scarsi has restricted testimony about family trauma and addiction and will tightly control potentially salacious evidence. Prosecutors may also present Hunter Biden's work for a Romanian businessman, a subject of Republican investigations into alleged influence peddling involving Joe Biden. Hunter Biden faces a possible sentence of up to 25 years for the gun conviction, though a first-time offender is likely to receive substantially less or avoid prison.

Usha Vance’s Hindu upbringing and Indian American heritage could help the Trump-Vance campaign connect with South Asian voters in swing states, but her decision not to discuss her faith publicly reflects concerns about backlash within a predominantly white Christian Republican base. Analysts say the campaign appears to want the symbolic benefits of her identity without emphasizing Hinduism. Most Indian Americans lean Democratic, citing issues including abortion, climate change, gun policy and Christian nationalism, though some Hindu Americans are moving toward Republicans over concerns about anti-Hindu prejudice and caste-discrimination legislation. Supporters argue that Usha’s interfaith marriage and pluralistic outlook represent Hindu values, while critics say the party still has significant political and cultural barriers to overcome.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has issued new transgender policies that expand restrictions on baptism and bar transgender members from working with children, serving as priests or teachers, staying overnight at youth camps, and using shared church restrooms without special arrangements. LGBTQ+ advocates, including transgender former member Laurie Lee Hall, say the rules are dehumanizing and will push members away from the faith. The church says transgender people remain welcome at worship services and in other activities but declined to comment on the updated guidelines. Mormon studies scholar Matthew Bowman characterized the changes as a long-expected clarification of the church’s conservative position, while Hall urged the church to reverse course to avoid losing younger generations.

Members of the Mescalero Apache community in New Mexico say a former priest created a “false choice” between being Apache and being Catholic when he removed the church’s Apache Christ painting, an Indigenous dancer image, and ceremonial objects. The Diocese of Las Cruces later returned the items and replaced the priest, but parishioners are seeking a public apology and assurances that similar cultural harm will not recur. The dispute comes as U.S. Catholic bishops promote Indigenous ministry that embraces cultural expression within Catholicism, while community members and scholars argue that Apache traditions and Catholic faith are compatible rather than conflicting.

Cheng Yen, a Taiwanese Buddhist nun, founded Tzu Chi in 1966 by asking local housewives to donate small amounts of money to help impoverished people. The organization has since expanded to 67 countries, mobilizing millions of volunteers for hospitals, schools, refugee programs and disaster relief. After witnessing the link between poverty and illness in rural Hualien, Cheng Yen established a hospital and medical college, creating a lasting healthcare network. Tzu Chi later purchased millions of BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine doses when Taiwan faced difficulty obtaining them. At 87, Cheng Yen remains active despite poor health, but her aging and highly charismatic leadership presents a succession challenge for the organization.

Taiwanese Buddhist charity Tzu Chi, founded by the Venerable Cheng Yen, has expanded from a grassroots effort in Hualien into a global humanitarian organization active in 67 countries. It provides disaster relief, healthcare, education, housing, refugee assistance and food aid, including earthquake response in Taiwan and projects in the United States, China, Indonesia, Mozambique and elsewhere. The organization draws substantial funding from monthly donations by its commissioners and has used its influence to secure vaccines and support major relief operations. Despite its humanitarian reach and interfaith work, Tzu Chi has faced criticism over financial transparency, wealthy donors and a controversial land-development project. Its close integration of Buddhist teachings with aid work, along with the need to remain apolitical in China, illustrates the challenges of expanding Cheng Yen's model of engaged Buddhism globally.

Tzu Chi, a Taiwan-based Buddhist charity founded by the Venerable Cheng Yen, mobilized rapidly after Taiwan’s April earthquake and has grown into a global humanitarian network operating in 67 countries. Its work spans disaster relief, health care, education, refugee resettlement, housing and food assistance, funded largely by trained members and monthly fundraising. The organization has faced criticism over financial transparency, wealthy donors and a failed attempt to develop protected land in Taipei, prompting greater public disclosure. Tzu Chi blends humanitarian service with Cheng Yen’s interpretation of engaged Buddhism while assisting people of all faiths, though its activities in China are constrained by requirements that religious groups remain loyal to the Communist Party. Its international projects include major relief and development efforts in Indonesia, Mozambique, Turkey, Poland and elsewhere.

Devout athletes describe faith as a source of resilience, identity and mental well-being while competing at the highest level. Their practices can also conflict with sporting schedules and rules, including Sabbath observance, Ramadan fasting and restrictions on religious clothing, notably France’s ban on visible religious symbols for its athletes. Runners Beatie Deutsch and Marwa Bouzayani argue that governing bodies should better accommodate religious obligations and cultural diversity. Historical examples such as Eric Liddell, along with current athletes including Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Vashti Cunningham, illustrate how spirituality can help athletes manage pressure while serving as a source of inspiration for younger competitors.

Dagestani Jews say they intend to rebuild and continue practicing openly after Islamic militants attacked synagogues, churches and police in Derbent and Makhachkala, killing 21 people and injuring at least 43. The historic Derbent synagogue was destroyed, but community leaders describe local Jewish-Muslim relations as generally cordial despite rising extremism and earlier antisemitic incidents. The attacks have intensified concerns about state protection, while members of the diaspora remain worried about relatives who stayed in the region. The report also documents the Juhuro community's distinctive traditions and endangered Juhuri language.

Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena is considering revisions to its sexual standards that could allow LGBTQ+ students to remain enrolled while acknowledging differing Christian views on sexuality. The proposed policy would continue requiring trustees, administrators, faculty and staff to support the seminary’s traditional view of marriage, leaving unclear whether employees in same-sex marriages would face penalties. The review followed lawsuits over expulsions and the firing of administrator Ruth Schmidt for refusing to sign the existing standards. Supporters say the revisions could preserve Fuller as a rare space for Christians with opposing views, while LGBTQ+ students and faculty advocates warn that unequal protections could drive staff away. The seminary says no proposal has yet been submitted to trustees for a vote.

The theater production “What Do I Do with All This Heritage?” presents 14 true stories about Asian American Jews and their complex experiences of cultural, religious and racial identity. A collaboration between The Braid and The LUNAR Collective, the show runs in Los Angeles, San Francisco and online. Featured participants describe reconciling Jewish, Asian, Muslim and other identities while confronting exclusion and misunderstanding; the production aims to foster visibility, belonging, hope and community.

Alice Stewart, a 58-year-old CNN political commentator and veteran Republican campaign adviser, was found dead outdoors in northern Virginia. Police suspected no foul play, and officials believed she may have suffered a medical episode. Stewart previously worked for Mike Huckabee, Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum and Ted Cruz before joining CNN ahead of the 2016 election. Colleagues and political figures praised her journalism, political insight, kindness and commitment to building friendships across political divides.

Solar eclipses have been interpreted differently across major religions. Tibetan Buddhism regards them as especially powerful times for spiritual practice; Christianity has linked them to biblical end-times imagery and the darkness of Jesus’ crucifixion; Hindu traditions often treat them as ominous periods associated with Rahu and Ketu, marked by fasting, ritual bathing and prayer; Islam views eclipses as signs of God that call for a special prayer rather than superstition; and Judaism traditionally considers them an ill omen and an opportunity for prayer and introspection. Across these traditions, eclipses are presented as occasions for reflection, devotion and moral self-examination.

Holi is an annual Hindu festival celebrated at the end of winter and beginning of spring, usually in March. Its traditions include throwing colored powders and water, dancing, music, special foods and drinks, and bonfires symbolizing the destruction of evil and victory of good. The festival draws on stories involving Prahlad, Holika, Hiranyakashipu, Krishna and Radha, while its colors carry symbolic meanings. Holi is celebrated in India, Nepal, other South Asian countries and diaspora communities through public gatherings, temple events, parades, cultural programs and parties.

About 200 Buddhists gathered in Antioch, California, for “May We Gather,” a pilgrimage and set of rituals addressing the city’s historic persecution of Chinese immigrants and continuing anti-Asian prejudice. Participants used chants, prayers, memorial tablets and Taoist and Buddhist ceremonies to honor victims, acknowledge racial trauma and promote solidarity across Asian communities. The event coincided with the third anniversary of the Atlanta spa shootings and came amid renewed scrutiny of Antioch over alleged police misconduct and racial profiling. Organizers and residents said remembrance, compassion and Antioch’s 2021 apology were important steps toward reconciliation and a more inclusive future.