Egyptian president to have gall bladder operation, hands over power to prime minister

Egyptian president to have gall bladder operation

CAIRO – Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will undergo a gall bladder operation Saturday in Germany and has temporarily handed over power to the prime minister, the state-owned news agency reported in a rare public statement on the leader’s health.
The 81-year-old leader was diagnosed as having “severe inflammation of his … Original article on : Egyptian president to have gall bladder operation, hands over power to prime minister.

Malaysia Muslim magazine apologizes for upsetting Christians over article on church masquerade

Malaysia Muslim mag sorry for offending Christians

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – A Malaysian magazine apologized Saturday for upsetting Christians after it published an article researched by two Muslims who pretended to be Roman Catholics and took Communion in a church.
The apology is likely to soothe frustrations among religious minorities who feel that overzealous government authorities and [..] Read the original article: here.

Iraqi refugees cast ballots in their homeland’s election, with Sunnis hoping for solid turnout

Iraqis abroad cast ballots in homeland’s election

AMMAN, Jordan – Thousands of Iraqis living abroad lined up at polling stations to cast ballots in their homeland’s crucial parliamentary elections Friday, a constituency Iraq’s Sunni Arab minority hope will boost their showing.
Voting was being held in 16 countries across the globe, from neighboring Syria and Jordan, which …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Alleged son of Mexican priest acknowledges asking for money from religious order

Mexican priest’s alleged son admits seeking money

MEXICO CITY – A man who says he is the abused son of the founder of a conservative Roman Catholic religious order acknowledged Friday he asked the group for money to keep quiet.
Jose Raul Gonzalez said he asked The Legionaries of Christ for $26 million because the Rev. Marcial … Original article on : Alleged son of Mexican priest acknowledges asking for money from religious order.

Dutch populist, riding an electoral wave at home, shows his anti-Islam film at UK parliament

Dutch anti-Islam politician creates stir in UK

LONDON – Dutch anti-Islam maverick Geert Wilders took his cinematic assault on the Quran to Britain’s House of Lords on Friday, sparking heated debate inside the building and angry protests outside.
The invitation to Parliament, and Wilders’ stunning political gains in the Netherlands this week, highlight a growing dichotomy in … Read more »».

Muslim students protest in Jakarta against Barack Obama’s first Indonesian visit as president

Indonesian students protest Barack Obama’s visit
JAKARTA, Indonesia – Scores of Islamic students staged protests outside Jakarta’s parliament and in at least three other major Indonesian cities on Friday against President Barack Obama’s upcoming visit to this predominantly Muslim country.
The students carried banners branding Obama as an enemy of Islam and an imperialist in … Read more »».

Iraqi refugees vote in their homeland’s election, with Sunnis hoping for strong turnout

Iraqis abroad begin voting in homeland’s election

DAMASCUS, Syria – Iraqis living abroad began casting ballots in their homeland’s crucial parliamentary elections Friday, a constituency Iraq’s Sunni Arab minority hope will boost their showing.
Thousands stood in lines at polling stations in Syria and Jordan, home to the largest Iraqi expatriate communities. Voting was also being held …. Original article  : Iraqi refugees vote in their homeland’s election, with Sunnis hoping for strong turnout.

Former member of German Catholic boys’ choir alleges abuse while Pope’s brother was in charge

Pope’s brother’s choir faces abuse claims
BERLIN – The Regensburg Diocese says a former member claims he was abused while singing with Germany’s leading Roman Catholic boys’ choir that was led for 30 years by the brother of Pope Benedict XVI.

The Diocese said in a statement Friday that one former member of the Regensburger Domspatzen claimed [..] Read the original article: here.

Clashes erupt at sacred and disputed compound in Jerusalem

Clashes erupt at sacred compound in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM – Clashes erupted Friday between Muslim worshippers and Israeli riot police at a sacred and disputed hilltop compound following a sermon on a recent Israeli decision to include two West Bank shrines on a list of national heritage sites.
A Palestinian woman was hit in the head with a …. Source  : Clashes erupt at sacred and disputed compound in Jerusalem.