The Obama administration’s new mandate that religious organizations pay for their workers’ birth control has become a bludgeon for Republican culture warriors, as social issues have surged to the forefront in the presidential campaign. Conservatives who believe religious freedom always trumps gender equity in the public arena are outraged. But so too are Roman Catholic and evangelical moderates who have stuck with President Barack Obama, an abortion rights supporter, because of his 2008 pledge to reduce the abortion rate and... Read more

CAIRO (AP) — Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood is calling on the country’s ruling generals to sack the current military-appointed government, saying it has failed to manage the deteriorating security and economic situation in the country. Brotherhood spokesman Mahmoud Ghozlan says the military should appoint a Brotherhood representative prime minister, who would then form a new coalition government. The Brotherhood controls nearly 50 percent of the seats in the new parliament. Ghozlan said Thursday a government backed by parliament would be more... Read more

Sources: Pentagon rules catching up with reality on women in combat WASHINGTON (AP) — Pentagon rules are catching up a bit with reality after a decade when women in the U.S. military have served, fought and died on the battlefields of Iraq and Afghanistan. On Thursday, the Pentagon is recommending to Congress that women be allowed to serve in more jobs closer to the front lines. According to defense officials, the new rules are expected to continue the long-held prohibition... Read more

Santorum rejoices in in his GOP caucus sweep, but he faces major challenges in upcoming states ALLEN, Texas (AP) — One day after Rick Santorum’s startling breakthrough in the presidential race, his few aides decamped to distant states to start building campaign organizations from scratch. It was evidence of his challenge in converting sudden momentum into victories in the rush of contests ahead. “We definitely are the campaign right now with the momentum, the enthusiasm on the ground,” the former... Read more

ATLANTA (AP) — Mitt Romney still can’t seem to win over the bulk of the conservatives who make up the bedrock of the Republican Party. Despite primary victories that have established him as the GOP presidential front-runner, his stunning trio of defeats this week laid bare the difficulties that still could undercut his path to the party’s nomination — and hamper him in the general election to follow. Not that he would acknowledge as much Wednesday. “I don’t think the... Read more

MINEOLA, N.Y. (AP) — The owner of one of Long Island’s largest catering companies has been accused of seriously violating Jewish law by having workers prepare kosher and non-kosher meals in the same kitchen. The allegations come from the former chef and general manager of Morrell Caterers, who claim they were instructed to prepare non-kosher meals in one of three kitchens operated by the company. Among observant Jews, kosher law defines what foods are fit for consumption and how they... Read more

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A Roman Catholic church official wants a Philadelphia judge to step down before his child-endangerment trial because of her recent remarks about a child sex-abuse scandal. Common Pleas Judge Teresa Sarmina recently suggested in court that sexual abuse in the church is “widespread,” and that those who think otherwise are “living on another planet.” Sarmina is presiding over the groundbreaking conspiracy and child-endangerment case of Monsignor William Lynn. The 61-year-old Lynn is the first U.S. church official... Read more

Drug gang banners appear in central Mexico city Pope will visit MEXICO CITY (AP) — A drug gang unfurled banners in a Mexican city that Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to visit next month, telling rival traffickers to keep out and keep the peace during the papal visit next month. One of the banners was signed by The Knights Templar, a violent, pseudo-religious cartel from the neighboring state of Michoacan. The cloth banners with hand-painted messages were found and quickly... Read more

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans vowed Wednesday to reverse President Barack Obama’s new policy on birth control, lambasting the requirement that religious schools and hospitals provide employees with free contraceptives as an “unambiguous attack on religious freedom in our country.” The White House pushed back in the face of a political firestorm, arguing that Obama was sensitive to the objections and looking for a way to allay the concerns. Democratic women lawmakers put up a united front in defending the administration.... Read more

WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker John Boehner says if President Barack Obama doesn’t reverse a new policy requiring religious schools and hospitals to provide employees with access to free birth control, the Congress will. Boehner, a Catholic, said Wednesday that the rule is an attack on religious freedom in the country. The Ohio Republican, speaking on the floor, said the rule “cannot stand, and will not stand.” The speaker said the Energy and Commerce Committee will move ahead on legislation.... Read more