ATLANTA (AP) — If you thought a Mary Mary reality show would focus on gospel songs and Bible study, think again. There’s plenty of raised voices, hurt feelings and snide comments on the gospel duo’s self-titled WEtv series, which debuted this week. While the craziness doesn’t rise to the level of an episode of “Basketball Wives,” Erica and Tina Campbell say it’s enough to show people that despite their Christian faith, they’re far from perfect people. “There is a great... Read more

JERUSALEM (AP) — A Palestinian protester in Gaza died Friday from Israeli army gunfire, a health official said, as thousands in the Palestinian territories, Israel and neighboring countries participated in an annual protest against Israeli land policy. Israeli security forces in riot gear deployed in high numbers along the frontiers of Israel and the Palestinian territories in anticipation of a repeat of last year’s violence, in which at least 38 people died near Israel’s borders with Lebanon and Syria. But... Read more

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli troops shot dead a Palestinian protester in Gaza on Friday as thousands in the Palestinian territories, Israel and neighboring countries participated in an annual protest against the Jewish state’s land policies. Security forces in riot gear deployed in high numbers along the frontiers of Israel and the Palestinian territories in anticipation of a repeat of last year’s violence, in which at least 38 people died near the borders with Lebanon and Syria. But for the most... Read more

BAGHDAD (AP) — Iraq’s prime minister on Friday praised this week’s Arab League summit in Baghdad as a turning point in the emerging relationship between Iraq and the Arab world. In a televised speech, Nouri al-Maliki said that his government lived up to the technical, political and organizational challenges to hold the Arab summit, despite doubts that the war-battered country would be able to provide security and logistics for the 21 visiting delegations. “The summit results, in which Iraq and... Read more

BAGHDAD (AP) — An aide to Iraq’s top Shiite cleric says Arab and international leaders should work to remove long-standing U.N. resolutions against Iraq. Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani said lifting the U.N. sanctions is essential for the country to gain full sovereignty, according to al-Sistani’s representative, Ahmed al-Safi. He spoke during a Friday sermon in the holy city of Karbala. Iraq has been pressing for the U.N. Security Council to cancel sanctions and more than 70 resolutions adopted after the... Read more

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sought to work out a unified strategy on the crisis in Syria in talks with Saudi officials on Friday as further violence stymied U.N. efforts to convince Damascus to implement a cease-fire. Clinton’s talks with Saudi King Abdullah and other officials come ahead of a 60-nation gathering of the “Friends of the Syrian People” in Istanbul over the weekend aimed at finding ways to aid Syria’s opposition. The... Read more

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton sought to work out a unified strategy on the crisis in Syria in talks with Saudi officials on Friday as further violence stymied U.N. efforts to convince Damascus to implement a cease-fire. Clinton’s talks with Saudi King Abdullah and other officials come ahead of a 60-nation gathering of the “Friends of the Syrian People” in Istanbul over the weekend aimed at finding ways to aid Syria’s opposition. The... Read more

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — For years starting in the mid-1990s, millions from around the globe visited a humble church in Florida’s Panhandle for lively Pentecostal revival services where believers flocked on stage to be healed by God for cancer, addiction and broken hearts. At its height, the “Brownsville Revival” drew as many as 5,500 people a night for six years. Donations poured in as the Brownsville Assembly of God added staff, built a massive new sanctuary and opened a school... Read more

DHARMSALA, India (AP) — Thousands of emotional Tibetan exiles chanted prayers and shouted slogans in northern India on Friday as they attended the funeral of a man who set himself on fire in protest of China’s rule of his homeland. Jamphel Yeshi’s coffin was first placed on a specially designed stage outside the Tsuglakhang temple in the hill town of Dharmsala, the exiled community’s headquarters. A Tibetan flag covered the wooden box and exiles threw ceremonial silk scarves on it.... Read more

DHARMSALA, India (AP) — Thousands of emotional Tibetan exiles gathered in northern India on Friday for the funeral of a man who set himself on fire in protest of China’s rule of his homeland. Jamphel Yeshi’s coffin was first placed on a specially designed stage outside the Tsuglakhang temple in the hill town of Dharmsala, the exiled community’s headquarters. A Tibetan flag covered the wooden box and exiles threw ceremonial silk scarves on it. The 27-year-old set himself on fire... Read more