Muslim MPs say reservation alone can help community

HYDERABAD – Four Muslim members of parliament have demanded 10 percent reservation for Muslims across the country as recommended by the Ranganath Mishra Commission and a sub-quota for Muslim women in the proposed 33 percent reservation for women in parliament and state assemblies.

The MPs, including three Rajya Sabha members who were suspended during the debate … Original source on Gaea Times at : Muslim MPs say reservation alone can help community.

From Israel, a new way to boost organ donation, but some see a religious problem

From Israel, a radical way to boost organ donation

JERUSALEM – Israel is launching a potentially trailblazing experiment in organ donation: Sign a donor card, and you and your family move up in line for a transplant if one is needed.
The new law is the first of its kind in the world, and international medical authorities …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : From Israel, a new way to boost organ donation, but some see a religious problem.

South Dakota tops Houston Baptist 91-86 for Great West title, CollegeInsider.com bid

S. Dakota tops Houston Baptist 91-86 in Great West

OREM, Utah – Jake Thomas scored 24 points and Kendall Cutler 21 to lead South Dakota over Houston Baptist 91-86 on Saturday night as the Coyotes won the Great West Conference championship and an automatic bid to the CollegeInsider.com Postseason Tournament.
Thomas hit 5 of 7 3-pointers for …. Original article  : South Dakota tops Houston Baptist 91-86 for Great West title, CollegeInsider.com bid.

Early leads by 2 secular political groups forecast Iraq rejection of fundamentalist government

Iraqi vote signals shift from religious leaders

BAGHDAD – Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s political coalition took an early vote lead Saturday in the election’s all-important battleground of Baghdad, pulling away from its two closest rivals in the latest indication that Iraqis want a moderate government instead of Shiite religious hard-liners leading the postwar nation.
Partial results released … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Early leads by 2 secular political groups forecast Iraq rejection of fundamentalist government.

Split among abortion opponents widens as Catholic hospitals publicly support health care bill

Catholic hospitals support health care bill
WASHINGTON – A group representing Catholic hospitals Saturday rallied behind President Barack Obama’s health care bill ahead of a House vote in which anti-abortion lawmakers could play a decisive role.
The chief executive of the Catholic Health Association, Carol Keehan, wrote on the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Jewish retiree creates stir by taking Vatican’s side in dispute over Pope Pius’ wartime role

Jewish retiree creates stir defending Pope Pius

LONG BEACH, N.Y. – In the long and painful debate over whether he should have done more to halt the murder of 6 million Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators in World War II, Pope Pius XII has an unusual defender.
Gary Krupp, who is Jewish, says he grew … Read more »».

Iraq vote results show PM leading in key Baghdad tally, boosting re-election chances

Iraq’s PM leads in early Baghdad vote count

BAGHDAD – A coalition led by Iraq’s prime minister held a comfortable lead Saturday in the crucial contest for the nation’s capital, bolstering his chances in an election deciding who will lead the country as U.S. forces go home.
The province that includes Baghdad accounts for almost a fifth … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Iraq vote results show PM leading in key Baghdad tally, boosting re-election chances.

Deputies: Fla. woman dies alone in locked bedroom while fasting, praying for several weeks

Fla. woman dies during weeks-long religious fast

BARTOW, Fla. – Authorities say a 55-year-old woman died alone in a bedroom of her central Florida home after locking herself in the room for several weeks for a lengthy religious fast.
Evelyn Boyd told her husband, a preacher at a Pentecostal church in the city of Bartow, not to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Deputies: Fla. woman dies alone in locked bedroom while fasting, praying for several weeks.

Shiite religious blocs, secular coalition both pick up province apiece in Iraq election

Shiite, secular blocs pick up provinces in Iraq

BAGHDAD – A secular bloc led by former Iraqi prime minister Ayad Allawi and a Shiite religious bloc both appeared to pick up votes as new results were released in Iraq’s election.
But the gains for the secular Iraqiya and the Shiite Iraqi National Alliance did not appear to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Shiite religious blocs, secular coalition both pick up province apiece in Iraq election.

Swiss newspaper report: 60 people say they were abused by Catholic priests in Switzerland

Swiss media: 60 people report abuses by priests

GENEVA – Around 60 people have reported being victims of abuse by Catholic priests in Switzerland, a Swiss abbot said in an interview published by a newspaper Saturday.
Abbot Martin Werlen of the Benedictine Abbey of Einsiedeln said some of the allegations were reported to the Swiss Bishops Conference’s …. Original source  : Swiss newspaper report: 60 people say they were abused by Catholic priests in Switzerland.

Mizoram church to take action against gay members

AIZAWL – The influential Baptist Church of Mizoram (BCM) Saturday announced strong disciplinary action against homosexual members.

“We have decided to take strong punitive action against members who are involved in homosexuality. The disciplinary actions include ex-communication,” a BCM statement said.
The statement was issued after the BCM assembly, the main decision-making body, met. The BCM … Read more >>>.

Egyptian bishop says 23 Coptic Christians wounded after attack by Muslims in western Egypt

Bishop: 23 Christians wounded in Egypt
CAIRO – An Egyptian bishop says 23 Coptic Christians have been wounded when extremist Muslims attacked a church community center in a western province.

The Rev. Bejemy told The Associated Press Saturday that a group of young men pelted cars and threw firebombs at the Coptic center and nearby homes in … Read : Egyptian bishop says 23 Coptic Christians wounded after attack by Muslims in western Egypt.

Houston Baptist tops NJIT 74-64 to reach Great West tournament final

Houston Baptist defeats NJIT 74-64
OREM, Utah – Andrew Gonzalez scored 24 points to lead Houston Baptist past NJIT 74-64 Friday night in the Great West Conference tournament semifinals.

Houston Baptist (12-20) will face regular-season champion South Dakota in the title game Saturday night. The conference, playing its first full season schedule and postseason tournament, does not …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Houston Baptist tops NJIT 74-64 to reach Great West tournament final.