VATICAN CITY — The world economy needs “new rules” to overcome the current financial crisis and to ensure that “all can lead a dignified life,” Pope Benedict XVI told Vatican diplomats on Monday (Jan. 9). Benedict’s New Year’s address to diplomats accredited to the Holy See traditionally presents the Vatican’s views on global affairs. The Holy See has diplomatic relations with 179 countries, and is a permanent observer at the United Nations. Read full article > >

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Pope tells diplomats that economy needs ‘new rules’

VATICAN CITY — The world economy needs “new rules” to overcome the current financial crisis and to ensure that “all can lead a dignified life,” Pope Benedict XVI told Vatican diplomats on Monday (Jan. 9). Benedict’s New Year’s address to diplomats accredited to the Holy See traditionally presents the Vatican’s views on global affairs. The Holy See has diplomatic relations with 179 countries, and is a permanent observer at the United Nations. Read full article > >

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Pope tells diplomats that economy needs ‘new rules’

TEHRAN, Iran — Iran has begun uranium enrichment at a new underground site well protected from possible airstrikes, a leading hardline newspaper reported Sunday. Kayhan daily, which is close to Iran’s ruling clerics, said Tehran has begun injecting uranium gas into sophisticated centrifuges at the Fordo facility near the holy city of Qom. Read full article > >

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Report: Iran begins uranium enrichment at new underground site

Two of the holy grails of medicine – stem cell technology and precision gene therapy – have been united for the first time in humans, say researchers.

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Gene therapy and stem cells unite

James Frey’s upcoming novel about the Messiah’s second coming will compete with a British novelist who has penned a story with a strikingly similar plot. Frey’s The Final Testament of the Holy Bible depicts Christ as an alcoholic bisexual who sleeps…

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James Frey’s New Novel Not So Original

Relations between the Vatican and Ireland deteriorated sharply as the Holy See appeared to ignore a commission looking into complaints of physical and sexual abuse of children by Irish priests, according to U.S. diplomatic cables obtained by WikiLeaks.

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Scandal caused Vatican-Ireland rift

Indian cities are on high alert as police hunt for those responsible for the blast in the holy city of Varanasi, which killed a one-year-old girl and wounded at least 34 people.

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India high alert after explosion

IN MOGADISHU, SOMALIA Abdul Qadir Mohammed remembers the imam’s powerful voice bouncing off the mosque’s white walls. It was 2001, a few weeks after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, a decade into Somalia’s anarchy. “Our religion must dominate until we die,” the preacher declared.

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A Somali teen, lured into ‘holy war’

On Sunday, almost 2.5 million Muslims will embark on the annual hajj pilgrimage to an encampment near the holy city of Mecca, retracing the Prophet Muhammad’s journey some 1,400 years ago. Over five days, the pilgrims, traveling by foot, public…

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2.5M Muslims Begin Pilgrimage

One of Iran’s star footballers who had been fired for breaking the fast during the holy month of Ramadan is reinstated by his club.

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Iran footballer in Ramadan fine

The Griffon Vulture’s fight for survival in the Holy Land

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Biblical struggle

A memorial Mass for former Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens will be celebrated Monday at the Holy Family Cathedral in Anchorage.

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Mass for Stevens; funeral days later

Pregnant Muslim women are being told not to fast during the holy month of Ramadan as it could harm the health of their unborn baby

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Fasting warning for mums-to-be