Christians across the world on Sunday celebrated Easter, the faith’s most joyous holy day. At the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass on the flower-adorned steps of St. Peter’s Basilica before a crowd that swelled to far beyond 100,000. “May the risen Christ grant hope to the Middle East and enable all the ethnic, cultural and religious groups in that region to work together,” the pope said. In Jerusalem, thousands crowded into one of Christianity’s holiest churches to worship. In... Read more

CAIRO (AP) — Hosni Mubarak’s former vice president and spy chief said in comments published Monday that he would not attempt to “reinvent” the regime of his longtime mentor if he is elected president of Egypt. Omar Suleiman, who is running in the presidential elections slated for May 23-24, told state-owned Al-Akhbar daily that restoring security would be his top priority as president. Next on his list would be to revive the country’s faltering economy, social justice and reinforcing freedom... Read more

CAIRO (AP) — Hosni Mubarak’s former vice president and spy chief Omar Suleiman will have the behind-the-scenes backing of Egypt’s ruling generals and the state media’s powerful propaganda machine in his bid to succeed his longtime mentor for the nation’s highest office, according to officials with firsthand knowledge. Suleiman, 75, will set out as a formidable presidential challenger to stop the Islamists from taking over the country and may also try to sell himself as a safe pair of hands... Read more

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — From one of the hiding places where he has been holed up since last month’s coup, Mali’s president penned a resignation letter and in the presence of reporters handed it to an emissary to deliver to the country’s new leaders. The move paves the way for Mali to name a new interim president, the next step in the nation’s return to democratic rule. President Amadou Toumani Toure was just months from finishing his last term, when... Read more

BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Mali’s president penned a resignation letter from his hiding place and sent an emissary to deliver it to the country’s new leaders Sunday after he was forced underground in last month’s coup, an official said. The move paves the way for Mali to name a new interim president, the next step in the nation’s return to democratic rule. President Amadou Toumani Toure was just months from finishing his last term, when soldiers on March 21 stormed... Read more

LONDON (AP) — An Islamic activist in Israel who entered Britain despite being banned has won an appeal against his deportation. Islamic Movement in Israel leader Sheikh Raed Salah flew to Britain in June, despite an order from Home Secretary Theresa May banning him over his political activities. He was detained, held for three weeks and released on bail. The Palestine Solidarity Campaign said Sunday that Salah received a letter from the Upper Immigration Tribunal saying his detention was “entirely... Read more

WINSTON-SALEM, North Carolina (AP) — Moravian Christians in North Carolina have held their Easter sunrise service for the 240th consecutive year. Believers gathered starting at 2 a.m. Sunday amid brass bands and immaculately tended graves at a Winston-Salem cemetery they call “God’s Acre.” It’s one of the oldest and largest sunrise services in the United States. The liturgy has been observed in rain, freezing temperatures and during the Revolutionary and Civil wars. The Rev. John Jackman is the senior pastor... Read more

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) — Moravian Christians in North Carolina have held their Easter sunrise service for the 240th consecutive year. Believers gathered starting at 2 a.m. Sunday amid brass bands and immaculately tended graves at a Winston-Salem cemetery they call “God’s Acre.” It’s one of the oldest and largest sunrise services in the United States. The liturgy has been observed in rain, freezing temperatures and during the Revolutionary and Civil wars. The Rev. John Jackman is the senior pastor of... Read more

GEORGETOWN, Texas (AP) — An Easter morning service featuring an appearance by New York Jets backup quarterback Tim Tebow is expected to draw a huge crowd of worshippers at a central Texas church. Tebow is scheduled to speak at Celebration Church’s outdoor “Easter on the Hill” service in Georgetown, about 20 miles north of Austin. Hundreds of school buses shuttled people to the sprawling megachurch campus and large video screens were set up for those toward the back, giving the... Read more

LONDON (AP) — Queen Elizabeth II has attended a traditional Easter Sunday service at Windsor Castle with three generations of the royal family. The monarch was joined on Sunday by her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, and three of her children — Princes Andrew and Edward, along with Princess Anne. Her granddaughters, Princess Eugenie and Lady Louise Windsor, were also among those attending the service at St. George’s Chapel. Not present: Prince William and his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge.... Read more