Houston Baptist tops NJIT 74-64 to reach Great West tournament final

Houston Baptist defeats NJIT 74-64

OREM, Utah — Andrew Gonzalez scored 24 points to lead Houston Baptist past NJIT 74-64 Friday night in the Great West Conference tournament semifinals.

Texas ed board adopts new social studies standards that reflect ultra-conservatives’ influence

Texas ed board adopts social studies standards

Bolstered by early election leads, Iraq’s al-Maliki seeks to make allies of foes in new govt

Iraq PM uses early lead to pursue new govt allies

Pope says thanks but no thanks: he’ll skip Alps and have a Roman holiday this summer

Pope to skip Alps this summer

VATICAN CITY — The Vatican says Pope Benedict XVI, who broke his wrist last summer during his Alpine vacation, is passing up invitations to return to the mountains so he can spend his holiday near Rome.

Pope’s former diocese admits error over abuse priest in 1980, says pontiff unaware

Pope’s former diocese admits error over priest

Vaishno Devi shrine security beefed up

JAMMU - The security of the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir will be strengthened as it faces a threat of terror attack, an official said here Friday.

Shiite religious alliance leading in southern Iraq province vote tally, as counting continues

Shiite group leads in southern Iraq province vote

Iraqi PM’s bloc lays groundwork to form new govt after strong showing in initial results

Iraqi PM starts laying groundwork for new govt

Eminent Islamic scholar Moulana Aqil dead

HYDERABAD - Eminent Islamic scholar Moulana Hameeduddin Aqil Hussami, who was also a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, died here Friday after a brief illness. He was 82.

Israel declares two-day closure of West Bank to head off unrest

Israel seals off West Bank to prevent unrest

Eminent Islamic scholar Moulana Aqil passes away

HYDERABAD - Eminent Islamic scholar Moulana Hameeduddin Aqil Hussami, who was also a member of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, passed away here Friday after a brief illness. He was 82.