DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Twin suicide car bombs blasted outside two buildings of Syria’s powerful intelligence agencies Friday, killing at least 44 people and wounding more than 150, authorities said, in the first such attacks since the country was thrown into turmoil by the 9-month-old uprising against the rule of President Bashar Assad. The government quickly held up the explosions as proof of its claims that it is battling not a popular uprising but terrorists intent on overthrowing the regime.... Read more

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Twin suicide car bombs blasted outside two buildings of Syria’s powerful intelligence agencies Friday, killing at least 40 people and wounding more than 100, authorities said, in the first such attacks since the country was thrown into turmoil by the 9-month-old uprising against the rule of President Bashar Assad. The government quickly held up the explosions as proof of its claims that it is battling not a popular uprising but terrorists intent on overthrowing the regime.... Read more

DETROIT (AP) — The Rev. Jesse Jackson and U.S. Rep. John Conyers joined religious and civil rights leaders Thursday to promise protests and possible civil disobedience against Michigan’s new emergency manager law that could lead to a takeover of Detroit government. “We are prepared to go from education, mobilization, litigation, legislation, demonstration and civil disobedience,” Jackson said as he and others held a news conference at Detroit’s Bethany Baptist Church. “We want a positive commitment to restoring democracy and economic... Read more

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Cadets of the Army’s junior ROTC program are going to be allowed to wear religious head coverings after a Muslim high school student in Tennessee was not allowed to participate because she wore a headscarf. The Army office for diversity and leadership said in a letter this week that procedures are being developed to allow exemptions to their JROTC uniform policy based on religious beliefs. Headscarves such as a hijab or a turban will be allowed,... Read more

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Christian University has a filed a lawsuit challenging the Barack Obama administration’s health care legislation requirement that the morning-after pill be provided by health insurance plans. The emergency contraception pill that can prevent pregnancy and can be taken the day after having unprotected sex is considered tantamount to abortion by the suburban Denver, multidenominational school, which has 3,900 students. The Washington, D.C.-based Becket Fund for Religious Liberty says it filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court... Read more

BAGHDAD (AP) — A terrifying wave of bombs tore through mostly Shiite neighborhoods of Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least 69 people and evoking fears that Iraq could dissolve into a new round of sectarian violence now that American troops have left. The attacks appeared to be a well-coordinated assault by Sunni militants linked to al-Qaida and targeted markets, grocery stores, cafes and government buildings in a dozen neighborhoods. They coincided with a government crisis that has already strained ties... Read more

BAGHDAD (AP) — A terrifying wave of bombs tore through mostly Shiite neighborhoods of Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least 69 people and evoking fears that Iraq could dissolve into a new round of sectarian violence now that American troops have left. The attacks appeared to be a well-coordinated assault by Sunni militants linked to al-Qaida and targeted markets, grocery stores, cafes and government buildings in a dozen neighborhoods. They coincided with a government crisis that has already strained ties... Read more

BAGHDAD (AP) — A terrifying wave of bombs tore through mostly Shiite neighborhoods of Baghdad on Thursday, killing at least 69 people and evoking fears that Iraq could dissolve into a new round of sectarian violence now that American troops have left. The attacks appeared to be a well-coordinated assault by Sunni militants linked to al-Qaida and targeted markets, grocery stores, cafes and government buildings in a dozen neighborhoods. They coincided with a government crisis that has already strained ties... Read more

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The leader of Greece’s Orthodox Church is promising to boost its campaign to provide free meals to the poor and homeless amid the country’s deepening financial crisis. Archbishop Ieronymos visited a central Athens food bank Thursday with members of the country’s national football team, to promote a campaign launched this week allowing supermarket shoppers to donate food to church charities. Ieronymos said the church was handing out 10,000 portions of food per day in greater Athens,... Read more

BERLIN (AP) — A bishop who leads the German church’s efforts to combat sex abuse says his own diocese made serious mistakes in failing to suspend a priest after allegations emerged against him. Trier Bishop Stephan Ackermann wrote in an open letter Thursday that he is “personally very sorry” about the slip. Ackermann says the diocese in January received indications of past abuse of minors by the cleric and made him take his case to prosecutors. He says that should... Read more