Democrats struggle over final details of health bill ahead of weekend vote as support grows

Lawmakers struggle to finish health overhaul bill
WASHINGTON – Pushing toward a history-making vote, Democrats struggled to eliminate lingering complications standing in the way of House action this weekend on President Barack Obama’s landmark health care overhaul.
Their drive to make the nation’s health care system more efficient and extend coverage to millions …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Democrats struggle over final details of health bill ahead of weekend vote as support grows.

Australian Senate rejects call for parliamentary inquiry into Church of Scientology

Australian Senate rejects Scientology inquiry call

CANBERRA, Australia – Australia’s Senate on Thursday overwhelming rejected a call for an inquiry into allegations against the Church of Scientology made by former members who claim to have been abused, harassed or coerced into having abortions.
Sen. Nick Xenophon’s motion to authorize a senate committee to hold a wide-reaching inquiry … Read more >>.

Retired Texas bishop joins Catholic nuns in supporting Obama’s health care bill

Retired Catholic bishop endorses health care bill
WASHINGTON – A retired Catholic bishop is announcing his support for President Barack Obama’s health care overhaul, despite the church’s official opposition.
Retired Bishop John E. McCarthy of Austin told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he is as opposed to abortion as every other bishop and that …. Source article  : Retired Texas bishop joins Catholic nuns in supporting Obama’s health care bill.

Episcopal church approves election of lesbian bishop to LA post; 2nd gay bishop overall

Episcopal church approves 2nd gay bishop
LOS ANGELES – The Episcopal Church has approved the election of a lesbian assistant bishop in the Diocese of Los Angeles, making her the second openly gay bishop in the Anglican global fellowship, diocese officials said Wednesday.

Episcopal conservatives were quick to criticize the approval of the Rev. Mary Glasspool of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Episcopal church approves election of lesbian bishop to LA post; 2nd gay bishop overall.

Iraqi PM fighting off challenge from secular candidate _ negotiations to follow vote count

Iraqi PM fights for survival as votes are counted
BAGHDAD – The man who has led Iraq for the past four years is battling for his political survival just as U.S. troops are getting ready to pack up and go home.
With about 83 …. Original article  : Iraqi PM fighting off challenge from secular candidate _ negotiations to follow vote count.

Obama’s health care bill wins support from Rep. Kucinich, Catholic nuns; Weekend vote likely

Health bill gains ground with weekend vote likely
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s sweeping health care legislation won precious support from a longtime liberal holdout in the House on Wednesday and from Catholic nuns representing dozens of religious orders, gaining fresh traction in the run-up to … Original source on Gaea Times at : Obama’s health care bill wins support from Rep. Kucinich, Catholic nuns; Weekend vote likely.

Boost for Obama’s health bill: Lawmaker signs on, nuns write their support; vote this weekend

Health bill gains ground; weekend vote likely
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s sweeping health care legislation won precious support from a longtime liberal holdout in the House on Wednesday and from a retired Catholic bishop and nuns representing dozens of religious orders – …. Source article  : Boost for Obama’s health bill: Lawmaker signs on, nuns write their support; vote this weekend.

Yemen-American radical preacher issues message calling for US Muslims to go against their govt

Yemen-American imam calls for US Muslim revolt

CAIRO – A Yemeni-American Muslim preacher known for his ties to extremists operating in the U.S. called on American Muslims in a new audio message to turn against their government because of its actions against Muslims around the world.
Anwar al-Awlaki’s latest message, excerpts of which were aired on CNN [..] Read the original article: here.

Galilee ruins, thought to be synagogue, now seen as palace of Muslim caliphs

Wrong religion: Israeli ruins re-identified

JERUSALEM – Israeli archaeologists have announced that ruins long thought to be of an ancient synagogue are actually the remains of a palace built by Arab caliphs 1,300 years ago.
The site, on the banks of the Sea of Galilee, was identified as a synagogue in the 1950s because archaeologists found a …. Original article  : Galilee ruins, thought to be synagogue, now seen as palace of Muslim caliphs.

Green globe: 70 million Irish at home, abroad cheer St. Patrick’s Day from Sydney to San Fran

Irish at home, worldwide cheer St. Patrick’s Day
DUBLIN – Much of the world is turning green Wednesday for St. Patrick’s Day, the annual celebration of all hues of Irishness.
More than a half-million people lined the 3-kilometer (2-mile) route of the flagship Dublin parade beneath unusually sunny skies in this wet, windy land. The … Read more »».

Rep. Kucinich switches to ‘yes’ on health care bill; Catholic nuns break with bishops

Obama’s health care plan picks up support
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama’s much-challenged health care overhaul gained traction Wednesday as a liberal lawmaker became the first to switch his opposition and Catholic nuns declared their support in an unusual public break with the bishops.
Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, …. Original article  : Rep. Kucinich switches to ‘yes’ on health care bill; Catholic nuns break with bishops.

In a break with bishops, Catholic nuns say health care bill will not fund abortions

Catholic nuns urge passage of Obama’s health bill
WASHINGTON – Catholic nuns are urging Congress to pass President Barack Obama’s health care plan, in an unusual public break with bishops who say it would subsidize abortion.
Some 60 leaders of religious orders representing 59,000 Catholic nuns Wednesday sent lawmakers a letter urging them to pass …. Source  : In a break with bishops, Catholic nuns say health care bill will not fund abortions.

Vatican investigates reported apparitions of Virgin Mary at Medjugorje shrine in Bosnia

Vatican studies visions of Virgin at Medjugorje

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican has begun formally investigating reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary at the Medjugorje shrine in southern Bosnia.
An international commission of inquiry headed by Italian Cardinal Camillo Ruini – a top adviser to the late Pope John Paul II – has been formed to study … Original article on : Vatican investigates reported apparitions of Virgin Mary at Medjugorje shrine in Bosnia.

Pope hopes letter to Irish on church abuse helps process of ‘repentance, healing and renewal’

Pope hopes letter to Irish helps healing
VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI says he hopes his upcoming letter to Irish Catholics on the sex abuse scandal in the Irish Church helps with the process of “repentance, healing and renewal.”

Benedict told his weekly general audience Wednesday that he would sign the pastoral letter Friday and would … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pope hopes letter to Irish on church abuse helps process of ‘repentance, healing and renewal’.

Fresh religious fighting reported in central Nigerian village, region where hundreds have died

Fresh fighting reported in central Nigeria

JOS, Nigeria – Officials say people are fleeing a central Nigerian village after reports that fighting took place overnight, only a week after violence in the area left more than 200 people dead.
Government spokesmen and the leader of a Christian nonprofit group told The Associated Press people were fleeing the … Read more »»».