GOP candidates label Obama insensitive for backing right of Muslims to build mosque near WTC

GOP calls Obama insensitive over stand on mosque
WASHINGTON – Republican candidates around the country seized on President Barack Obama’s support for the right of Muslims to build a mosque near ground zero, assailing him as an elitist who is insensitive to the families of the Sept. 11 victims.
From statehouses …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Governor says NYC mosque meeting is in the works, but developers say none has been scheduled

Governor aims to meet with NYC mosque developers

ALBANY, N.Y. – Gov. David Paterson, who last week suggested that developers of a proposed Islamic center and mosque near ground zero might want to consider a different location, will meet soon with them, a spokesman said Tuesday.
Paterson’s office declined to say what the meeting would be about, …. Source  : Governor says NYC mosque meeting is in the works, but developers say none has been scheduled.

Aide says Obama not worried by mosque furor, or that Senate Dem. leader now opposes plans

Obama undaunted by fallout from mosque remarks
ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE – President Barack Obama isn’t worried about the furor unleashed by his comments on a planned mosque near Ground Zero, a spokesman said Tuesday.
He’s also not dismayed that the Senate’s top Democrat, Majority Leader Harry Reid, now opposes the idea, deputy Press Secretary … Read more : Aide says Obama not worried by mosque furor, or that Senate Dem. leader now opposes plans.

Mexico City mayor demands cardinal apologize for bribery allegation, threatens legal action

Mexico City mayor demands cardinal apologize

MEXICO CITY – Mexico City’s leftist mayor says he will take legal action if a Roman Catholic cardinal doesn’t apologize for suggesting he bribed the Supreme Court to uphold a city law allowing adoptions by same-sex couples.
Mayor Marcelo Ebrard says that if Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iniguez does not apologize by … Original article on : Mexico City mayor demands cardinal apologize for bribery allegation, threatens legal action.

Amnesty International calls on Cuba to stop disrupting marches by dead hunger striker’s mother

Amnesty: Cuba harassing dead hunger striker’s mom

HAVANA – Amnesty International is calling on Cuban authorities to stop disrupting weekly marches by the mother of a political prisoner who died following a lengthy hunger strike.
The London-based human rights group said in a statement Tuesday that officials should “end the harassment” of Reina Luisa Tamayo, who takes …. Source article  : Amnesty International calls on Cuba to stop disrupting marches by dead hunger striker’s mother.

UAE charity distributes Iftar meals in Gaza

Abu Dhabi, Aug 17 (IANS/WAM) A UAE charity will distribute free Iftar meals to 1,500 families in Gaza during the holy month of Ramadan.

The Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Foundation for Charitable and Humanitarian Works has launched the programme.
Salem Obaid Al Dhahiri, director general of the charity said the programme reflects the mission [..] Read the original article: here.

Seven Baha’i leaders in Iran get 20 years jail

NEW DELHI – Seven Baha’i leaders, convicted in Iran on charges of conducting propaganda activities against the Islamic order and spying, are believed to have been sentenced to 20 years jail, community leaders said here Tuesday.

The Indian Baha’i community “completely and categorically” denied the charges against the two women and five men being …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Seven Baha’i leaders in Iran get 20 years jail.

Mindset List: Class of ‘14 has little use for e-mail, wristwatches, cursive; Dirty Harry who?

Wear wristwatch? Use e-mail? Not for Class of ‘14

Every year, Beloit College in Beloit, Wis., releases its Mindset List to give a snapshot of the world view of the incoming freshmen class. The list for the Class of 2014:
Most students entering college for the first time this fall – members of the Class of 2014 … Original article on : Mindset List: Class of ‘14 has little use for e-mail, wristwatches, cursive; Dirty Harry who?.

Mexico supreme court votes to uphold Mexico City law allowing adoptions by same-sex couples

Mexico supreme court upholds gay adoptions

MEXICO CITY – Mexico’s Supreme Court voted Monday to uphold a Mexico City law allowing adoptions by same-sex couples, drawing jubilant cheers from gay advocacy groups and angry protests from Roman Catholic Church representatives.
The justices voted 9-2 against challenges presented by federal prosecutors and others who had argued the law …. Read the original article  : here.

Mourners pay tribute to Ted Stevens at memorial mass in Alaska

Mourners remember Stevens at Mass
ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Mourners filled an Anchorage Catholic church to remember former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens Monday, launching a three-day tribute to the Alaska Republican a week after he died in a plane crash.

Several hundred people attended the memorial Mass for Stevens, who was among five people killed in the crash … Read more : Mourners pay tribute to Ted Stevens at memorial mass in Alaska.

Sen. Harry Reid comes out against plan to build a mosque near ground zero

Reid against plan to build mosque near ground zero
WASHINGTON – The Senate’s top Democrat on Monday came out against plans to build a mosque near the site of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, moving away from President Barack Obama on the controversial election-year issue.
Locked in a … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sen. Harry Reid comes out against plan to build a mosque near ground zero.

Reid says he supports mosque, not at ground zero

Reid: Build mosque elsewhere
WASHINGTON – The Senate’s top Democrat on Monday came out against plans to build a mosque near the site of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, moving away from President Barack Obama on the controversial election-year issue.
Locked in a tight race, Nevada Sen. Harry Reid became the highest profile Democrat … Read more »».

Sunni-backed coalition accuses Iraqi premier of sectarianism, suspends power-sharing talks

Iraqi rivals break off power-sharing talks

BAGHDAD – A Sunni-backed coalition that won the most seats in Iraq’s parliamentary election said Monday it would cease power-sharing talks with the nation’s incumbent Shiite prime minister, accusing him of turning political bickering into a sectarian issue.
The breakdown is certain to extend a five-month political stalemate since the voting, … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sunni-backed coalition accuses Iraqi premier of sectarianism, suspends power-sharing talks.

Over 300,000 gather for religious festival in Mexico

Guadalajara (Mexico), Aug 16 (IANS/EFE) More than 310,000 people from 43 countries gathered at La Luz del Mundo (The Light of the World) church here for the Holy Supper, the sect’s most important annual celebration, a church spokesman said.

At the ceremony, held during the week of the Holy Assembly which concluded Sunday, the pastor … Read more : Over 300,000 gather for religious festival in Mexico.

Food prices go up in Somali capital during Ramadan as traders flee, fearing renewed violence

Food prices in Somali capital go up during Ramadan

MOGADISHU, Somalia – Residents in Somalia’s capital have feared a threatened increase in fighting during Ramadan, but the Muslim religious month has brought another hardship as well: high food prices.
Somali businessmen on Monday said prices of some food items in Mogadishu have increased by up to 50 …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Food prices go up in Somali capital during Ramadan as traders flee, fearing renewed violence.

Hamas leader: Muslims ‘have to build’ mosque near ground zero

Hamas leader: Ground zero mosque must be built

NEW YORK – A Hamas leader says Muslims “have to build” a mosque near ground zero.
Mahmoud al-Zahar said Muslims “have to build everywhere” so that followers can pray, just like Christians and Jews build their places of worship.
Al-Zahar spoke Sunday on “Aaron Klein Investigative Radio” on WABC-AM. He …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Hamas leader: Muslims ‘have to build’ mosque near ground zero.