May 2009 Headlines

Muslim Scholars Unfold Hadith Law Practices

Mehmet Kirbasoglu is passionate about his faith in Allah, the Muslim God. But he believes that his religion needs a fresh interpretation.

Dubai: A Spiritual Oasis

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates- Religious persecution is often a way of life for many Christians living in the Middle East. But in one Muslim country, Christians are experiencing unusual favor from government authorities.

Nargis' Orphans: Myanmar's Future Hope

Few people in Southeast Asia have suffered more in recent years than those in Myanmar.

Iraqi Christians Flee Country For Safety

More than half of Iraq's Christians have fled their country since the start of the war.

U.S. Journalists' Trial Begins in NKorea This Week

Two American journalists seized nearly three months ago face a trial this week in Pyongyang.

Doctors: Rape Common Against Darfur Women

A survey of dozens of women who fled violence in Darfur found that a third of them reported or showed signs of rape.

Pakistan: Corpses Lie Exposed in Swat Town

Corpses lay exposed in the Swat Valley's main town on Sunday.

South Korea, Thailand Criticize North Over Tests

South Korea and Thailand criticized North Korea on Sunday.

Zimbabwean PM Says Country Still Lives in Fear

Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai says efforts to restore democratic freedoms and the rule of law have so far failed.

56 Die in Afghan Violence; Bomb Targets Gov't

A battle in a militant-controlled region of western Afghanistan killed 30 insurgents and nine Afghan soldiers.

Pakistan Military Retakes Town in Swat Valley

Pakistani troops have retaken the largest town in the Swat Valley from the Taliban.

Gates: Tougher Sanctions Against NKorea Needed

The U.S. defense chief urged Asian allies Saturday to consider tougher sanctions against North Korea.

London Church Expelled by Diocese to Remain

One church congregation is fighting the trend to allow older church buildings to stand empty and unused.

OB Reaches Out to Brazil Flood Victims

A large dam ruptured in Brazil killing four people, leaving 11 missing and destroying atleast 120 homes.

Hundreds Homeless after Quake Hits C. America

Hundreds of people in Central America are homeless after Thursday's deadly earthquake.

Two-State Solution Topped Talks at WH

Ten days after meeting with Israel's prime minister, President Barack Obama discussed peace in the Middle East with the Palestinian leader. 

Emotional Funeral for Former S.Korean Pres.

A sea of wailing mourners filled the streets of Seoul for the funeral Friday of ex-President Roh Moo-hyun.

North Korea Fires 6th Short-Range Missile

North Korea has fired another short-range missile, according to the South Korean government.

Settlements Top Talk of Obama, Abbas Meeting

President Obama welcomed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to the White House, Thursday, and Israeli settlements topped the list of their talking points.

Inside Iran: Truth and its Consequences

The man in charge of the Iranian Foreign Press office said the government is trying to give foreign journalists more freedom to do their job.

All Christians to Share Common Easter in 2010, '11

Catholic and Protestant congregations will celebrate Easter on the same day as Orthodox churches in 2010 and 2011 because of a coincidence in calendars.

Hong Kong Opens Noah's Ark Replica Site

A life-size replica of Noah's Ark is now on display for the public to tour on a 270,000 square-foot site on Ma Wan Island.

Taliban Behind Lahore Attack

The Taliban in Pakistan claimed responsibility Thursday for a deadly terror attack on police and intelligence agency offices.

7.1 Earthquake Topples Homes in Honduras, Belize

A strong earthquake struck early Thursday off the coast of Honduras, collapsing shacks in Honduras and Belize.

Tensions Rise Over North Korea's Threats

North Korea has renounced the 1953 truce with the South and has threatened to strike any ships that tries to intercept its vessels.

Myanmar Pro-Democracy Leader Awaits Ruling

In the southeast Asian nation of Myanmar, testimony is expected to conclude this week in the trial of pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Pentagon: Gitmo Detainees Return to Terrorism

A new report by the pentagon indicates that former Guantanamo Bay prisoners are returning to terrorism.

Cyclone Death Toll up in India, Bangladesh

The death toll from Cyclone Aila in eastern India and Bangladesh rose while heavy rains caused deadly mudslides and slowed rescue efforts.

Deadly Car Bombing Kills Dozens in Pakistan

Gunmen detonated a car bomb near police and intelligence agency offices in Lahore on Wednesday.

Army Chief: U.S. Troops in Iraq past 2012

The United States could have fighting forces in Iraq and Afghanistan for a decade, the top Army officer said.

Defiant N. Korea Restarts Nuclear Plant

North Korea faces international condemnation in the wake of a second nuclear test and the restart of its nuclear plant. 

Violence in Iraq Surges ahead of U.S. Withdrawal

Iraq has seen a surge in violence in recent days.

N. Korea Test-Fires Two More Missiles

Less than 36 hours after announcing a successful underground nuclear test, North Korea fired off two more short-range missiles.

N. Korea Provokes World with Nuclear Test

North Korea has carried out a nuclear test with an explosion similar to the of the bombs that flattened Hiroshima and Nagasaki in WWII.

Iran Cuts Access to Facebook as Election Looms

The blocking of the popular social networking site Facebook in Iran has prompted critics of the president to condemn it on Sunday.

Swine Flu Infected U.S. Troops Leave Kuwait

All 18 U.S. soldiers infected with swine flu have recovered and left this oil-rich ally of Washington.

S. Koreans Mourn Death of Ex-President

Thousands streamed to a village in rural South Korea on Sunday to pay their respects to ex-President Roh Moo-hyun.

Pakistani Troops Retake 'Bloody Intersection'

Pakistani troops battling the Taliban have captured several points in the Swat Valley's main town.

Scorched Earth Marks Sri Lanka's War Zone

Sri Lanka's former war zone is a wasteland, its earth scorched and pocked by craters.

Kuwait: Swine Flu Detected Among U.S. Soldiers

Several swine flu cases have been detected among U.S. soldiers passing through Kuwait, officials said Saturday.

Horst Koehler Re-elected as German President

Horst Koehler has won a second five-year term as Germany's largely ceremonial president.

Pakistan: Troops Battle Taliban in Main Swat Town

Pakistani security forces have entered the main town in a northwestern valley where Taliban fighters are holed up.

S. Korean Ex-president Jumps to His Death

Embattled former President Roh Moo-hyun jumped to his death while hiking in the mountains behind his rural home in South Korea.

Strong Quake Shakes Mexico City

A strong earthquake swayed skyscrapers in Mexico City and rattled colonial buildings in neighboring Puebla state Friday.

Troops See Violent Month in Iraq

This has been one of the most violent weeks in Iraq in recent months.

Congo Children Face Harsh Exorcisms

Across Africa, children are often accused of being witches, and many of them are subjected to horrific exorcisms.

U.N.: $543 Million for Pakistani Refugees

Troops are encircling Taliban terrorists in their mountain base as well as the main town in the Swat Valley.

Hezbollah's Regional 'Role' Growing

Arab governments are starting to see the fingerprints of the Lebanese-based Hezbollah terror group all over the Middle East.

Missile Launch Signals Iran's Determination

Iran's missilie launch is raising concerns that its missile program is becoming more sophisticated.

Pakistan Army Wrests Town from Taliban

Pakistani troops killed 80 militants and drove the Taliban from a major urban stronghold on Wednesday.

Both Parties Press Obama for Gitmo Plan

Democrats are now joining Republicans and questioning President Obama's strategy for shutting down Guantanamo Bay.

 

Author Urges Change in Christian Mideast Focus

Abdu Murray urges Christians to change their focus in dealing with Jews and Arabs in the Middle East.

Iran Says It Tests Missile, Israel in Range

Iran has test-fired a new advanced missile - one that could reach Israel and southern Europe.

Israel's Air Force Targets Gaza Weapons Tunnels

Israeli fighter jets carried out a series of attacks, including targets on the Gaza -Egyptian border.

Thousands Beaten, Raped in Irish Reform Schools

A nine-year investigation into Ireland's Roman Catholic-run institutions says  government inspectors failed to stop the chronic beatings, rapes and humiliation.

98 Killed in Indonesian Military Plane Crash

An Indonesian military plane carrying troops and their families crashed into a row of houses and burst into flames Wednesday.

Oil Back Down Near $59 on Market Uncertainty

Oil prices traded around $59 a barrel on Tuesday as investors booked profits on early gains.

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Myanmar Rushing Trial for Pro-Democracy Leader

Myanmar's military regime appears to be rushing a trial of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

Sri Lanka President Says Country Free From Terror

Sri Lanka's president declared his country "liberated from separatist terror" Tuesday.

Netanyahu Faces Pressure to OK Palestinian State

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits Capitol Hill Tuesday, where he will likely to face questions about his resistance to a Palestinian state.

Recession in Europe Worst Since WWII

As bad as the recession has been in the United States, it's been even worse in Europe.

Sri Lanka: Tamil Tiger Rebel Chief Has Been Killed

Sri Lanka declared Monday it had crushed the Tamil Tiger rebels, killing their chief, Velupillai Prabhakaran.

Obama, Netanyahu Talk Middle East Conflict

The leaders of the United States and Israel sit down Monday to discuss an array of Mideast issues on which they disagree.

UN Security Council Visits Rwanda to See Progress

The U.N. Security Council visited Rwanda on Sunday, eager to see the progress that central African nation has made.

Darfur Rebel to Appear at War Crimes Tribunal

The International Criminal Court has summoned a Sudanese rebel leader to face war crimes charges.

Sri Lanka Says all Civilians Out of War Zone

The last remaining civilians trapped by fighting in northern Sri Lanka poured across the front lines Sunday.

Obama: Early to Mull More Troops in Afghanistan

President Barack Obama says he needs to see how fast Afghanistan can be stabilized.

Sri Lanka President Declares Victory in Civil War

Sri Lanka's president declared victory Saturday in his nation's quarter century civil war.

Ambush at Afghan School in 'Valley of Death'

Heavy machine gun fire blanketed the patrol as troops used smoke grenades and cover fire to escape the ambush at a school in Afghanistan.

Bombing, US Strike Kill Dozens in Pakistan

A car bomb destroyed an Internet cafe and tore through a bus carrying handicapped children in northwestern Pakistan on Saturday.

Americans Investigated in Afghan Death

Four U.S. contractors for the private security company formerly known as Blackwater are accusing the company of holding them against their will in Afghanistan.

India's Ruling Party Wins Resounding Victory

The Congress party headed to a resounding victory Saturday in India's monthlong national elections.

China Honors OB for Quake Efforts

Operation Blessing has been in the quake zone since day one, helping in recovery and rebuilding.

'Angels & Demons' Draws Ire from Vatican

The makers of the highly controversial film, 'The Da Vinci Code,' will release a new movie in theaters Friday.

Sweden Legalizes Gender Based Abortion

Swedish health authorities say women should be allowed to have abortions for any reason up to the 18th week of pregnancy.

Pope Visits Jerusalem Church, Ends Trip to Israel

Pope Benedict XVI ended his five-day trip to Israel Friday with a visit to Jerusalem's Church of the Holy Sepulchre. 

Freed U.S. Reporter Arrives in Austria

Roxana Saberi left the Islamic Republic behind and flew to the Austrian capital.

U.S. Wants Faster Training in Pakistan

The Pentagon is looking at plans to significantly accelerate and expand the training of Pakistan's military.

Sony Reports $1B Loss

Sony Corp. reported a 98.9 billion yen ($1 billion) loss for the fiscal year ended March.

Trucks Torched at NATO Terminal in Pakistan

Suspected Taliban stormed a depot handling supplies for NATO troops in Afghanistan on Wednesday and torched eight trucks, as Pakistani troops and warplanes battled terrorists in a swath of the northwest.

Seven Dead in Afghan Car Bombing

A suicide bomb attack killed seven people and wounded 21 Wednesday outside a U.S. military base in the same part of eastern Afghanistan where terrorists stormed government buildings a day earlier, police said.

EU Fines Intel $1.45 Billion for Illegal Sales Tactics

The European Union says the world's biggest computer chip maker used illegal sales tactics to shut out smaller rival AMD.

Shooting Raises Concern Over Troop Stress

Sgt. Russell was just weeks shy of ending his third deployment in Iraq, and his shooting is raising convers over troop stress and multiple deployments.

Obama Replaces Top Commander in Afghanistan

On Monday, President Obama fired the top American commander in Afghanistan.

Doctor Says 49 Killed in Sri Lanka Hospital Attack

A mortar shell struck the only functioning medical facility in Sri Lanka's northern war zone Tuesday, killing 49 patients and bystanders.

Demjanjuk in German Prison for Nazi Guard Charges

John Demjanjuk arrived at a German prison on Tuesday to face allegations of being an accessory to the murder of 29,000 Jews and others as a guard at the Nazis' Sobibor death camp.

Army Sergeant Kills Five Fellow Soldiers

A U.S. soldier serving in Iraq was in custody Monday night.  He's accused of killing five of his fellow soldiers.

Swine Flu Spreads to China

Chinese officials say a 30-year-old student just back in the country from the U.S. has come down with China's first case of the flu on the mainland.

U.S. to Replace Top General in Afghanistan

The Pentagon will replace its top general in Afghanistan as President Barack Obama tries to turn around a stalemated war.

Mexican Students Return to Class

Millions of children, many wearing surgical masks, returned to scrubbed and disinfected classrooms Monday after a nationwide shutdown.

Afghan Doctors Concerned over Unusual Burns

Doctors voiced concern over "unusual" burns on Afghan villagers wounded in an already controversial U.S.-Taliban battle.

Lawyer: U.S. Reporter Leaves Jail in Iran

Roxana Saberi, 32, the U.S.-born journalist sentenced to an eight-year prison term for alleged spying, has been released from an Iranian jail.

UN Condemns Sri Lanka 'Bloodbath'

The United Nations called the killing of hundreds of ethnic Tamil civilians in a weekend artillery attack in northern Sri Lanka a "bloodbath."

Suspected Nazi Guard Faces Deportation

Suspected Nazi guard John Demjanjuk, who has been ordered to surrender to U.S. immigration authorities in Ohio, is expected to be deported to Germany by Tuesday.

Pope's Visit to Israel Full of Pomp, Caution

After a weekend tour and mass in Jordan, Pope Benedict XVI has begun his five-day visit to Israel.

 

Sri Lanka Official: Artillery Kills 257 Civilians

An overnight artillery barrage in Sri Lanka's northern war zone killed at least 257 civilians.

Curfew Lifts, More Flee War-Torn Pakistani Valley

Thousands of fearful civilians streamed out of Pakistani valley on Sunday as authorities briefly lifted a curfew.

Pope Urges Middle East Christians to Persevere

The pope urged Middle East Christians Sunday to persevere in their faith despite hardships.

Pope's Holy Land Visit: A Bridge to Peace?

Next week, Pope Benedict XVI is making his first papal visit to Israel and the Middle East.

South Africa Swears in Zuma as New President

Jacob Zuma became president of Africa's economic powerhouse Saturday.

Desperation in Pakistani Hospitals, Refugee Camps

Civilians cowered in hospital beds and trapped residents struggled to feed their children Saturday.

Jordan: Official Thanks Pope for Expressing Regret

The top religious adviser to Jordan's king thanked Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday for his expression of regret.

Poll: British Muslims More Patriotic than Others

The Gallup Poll shows British Muslims are more patriotic than the British public at large.

Technology Connects Christians During Flu Spread

Many churches were closed because of the H1N1 virus but a few Christians did come together to pray for their nation.

Operation Blessing Remembers China Quake

China is observing the one year anniversary of a deadly earthquake.

Obama's Surge Troops Arrive in Afghanistan

The first of President Obama's surge troops have arrived in Afghanistan.

Mega Security Planned for Pope's Israel Visit

Israel will deploy 80,000 security officers as part of "Operation White Cloak."

Millions of Mexican Children Return to School

Mexico's government mobilized thousands of education officials and parents across the country to swiftly disinfect schools.

Man Wins 'Best Job in the World'

How many can say that they have the best job in the world? Well, one man might qualify.

Savage to Sue British Officials for Ban

Radio host Michael Savage says he'll sue British officials for defamation.

Afghan Bibles Confiscated by U.S. Military

Bibles sent to a soldier serving in Afghanistan by his home church are creating a stir.

Christian Postage Stamps Issued in Israel

The Israeli post office is issuing special stamps in honor of the pope.

Obama Meets With Middle East Leaders

President Obama hosted a White House meeting, Wednesday, with the presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Obama - Netanyahu Meeting Set for May 18

Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu scheduled a meeting for Monday, May 18 at the White House.

Obama's Focus Turns to Afghan War

President Obama focuses his efforts on the war in Afghanistan Wednesday.

Some Normalcy Returns after Flu Outbreak

Life is returning to normal in Mexico after a five-day shutdown caused by the global swine flu outbreak.

Poll: Israelis Fear Obama's Mideast Polices

A new poll shows most Jewish Israelis fear and disapprove of President Obama's Middle East policies, like his plans to negotiate with Iran's leader, who wants Israel destroyed.

Israelis like U.S., Skeptical of Obama

A recent survey revealed that Israelis like the U.S, but they have less affection for President Barack Obama.

Israel Activists Look to Strengthen U.S. Ties

The American-Israel Public Affairs Committee is in the midst of its 2009 policy conference in Washington.

Israel and Egypt: 30 Years of Peace

Although Israel recently celebrated its 61st birthday as a modern nation, it has not been an easy ride.