Philippine health chief takes on powerful Catholic church to hand out condoms to fight AIDS

Philippine health chief, church fight over condoms

MANILA, Philippines – On Valentine’s Day, Philippine government health workers hit the streets of Manila to hand out roses and condoms to passers-by.
The message was clear in a country with a relatively small but rapidly growing HIV-positive population: Avoid unprotected sex.
It didn’t get far. Within days, leaders of the … Read : Philippine health chief takes on powerful Catholic church to hand out condoms to fight AIDS.

Obama hails Iraq vote as an ‘important milestone,’ says millions who voted should be proud

Obama calls Iraq vote an ‘important milestone’
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama praised the Iraqi people for passing “an important milestone” Sunday, when millions turned out for national elections despite insurgent attacks that killed more than 30 people.
No doubt relieved that violence was not worse, Obama said Iraqi security forces … Read : Obama hails Iraq vote as an ‘important milestone,’ says millions who voted should be proud.

Obama: Iraq vote an ‘important milestone,’ pledges to stick to US combat troop withdrawal plan

Obama says Iraq vote an ‘important milestone’
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is praising the Iraqi people for passing “an important milestone” as millions turned out for national elections despite attacks that killed more than 30 people.
Obama notes that Iraqi security forces showed growing maturity in keeping violence from reaching much higher levels. The …. Original source  : Obama: Iraq vote an ‘important milestone,’ pledges to stick to US combat troop withdrawal plan.

Obama congratulates Iraqi people on vote, mourns loss of life to insurgent attacks

Obama congratulates Iraqis on national vote
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama praised Iraqis who turned out to vote in national elections Sunday despite “acts of violence” to discourage participation.
Insurgent attacks on polling stations killed at least 36 people even with extraordinary security measures in place, including closure of the country’s …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Pope’s brother to daily: I’d testify in boy’s choir sex abuse scandal but I know nothing

Pope’s brother says he would testify in abuse case

ROME – The brother of Pope Benedict XVI has told a newspaper he is willing to testify in the sex scandal rocking Germany’s Catholic Church, even though he says he knows nothing about the alleged abuse of boys in a choir he later led.
The Rev. Georg Ratzinger, … Read : Pope’s brother to daily: I’d testify in boy’s choir sex abuse scandal but I know nothing.

China says it expects further attacks by Xinjiang separatists, calls them ‘doomed to failure’

China expects further Xinjiang separatist attacks

BEIJING – China says it expects new attacks by separatists seeking independence for the traditionally Turkic Muslim region of Xinjiang after deadly ethnic violence there last year.
Despite massive pressure from security forces, separatists will continue to refine their methods and seek opportunities, the region’s governor, Nur Bekri, told reporters Sunday.
“They …. Source  : Gaea News Network.