Suburban Chicago hotel backs away from hosting controversial Muslim group

Illinois hotel backs out of hosting Muslim group

CHICAGO – A controversial Muslim group has canceled its annual U.S. conference after a suburban Chicago hotel backed out of hosting the event.
American members of Hizb ut-Tahrir (HIHZ’-buht-ah-tuh-REER’) planned to hold the event Sunday at a Marriott hotel in Oak Brook. Conference organizer Ayman Hamed says about 1,000 … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Suburban Chicago hotel backs away from hosting controversial Muslim group.

Chavez, Venezuelan cardinal tangle over freedoms, parishioners in Catholic country concerned

Chavez, Venezuelan church clash over freedoms

CARACAS, Venezuela – President Hugo Chavez and leaders of the Venezuelan Catholic Church are tangling like never before, angering parishioners who feel the president and his clerical detractors aren’t following Jesus Christ’s creed of brotherly love.
Over the past week, Chavez has said that Christ would whip church leaders for lying. …. Read the original article  : Chavez, Venezuelan cardinal tangle over freedoms, parishioners in Catholic country concerned.

Vatican faces $5.2 mn financial loss

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican is facing a major financial loss with a 4.1 million euro ($5.2 million) deficit recorded in 2009.

It saw revenues of 250.2 million euros against expenses of 254.3 million euros.
The Vatican is facing losses for the third consecutive year. In 2008, it lost 900,000 euros and 2007 saw a 9.1 …. Source article  : Vatican faces $5.2 mn financial loss.