Rebel News - Independent News and Analysis

Germany's Catholic Church unveils tougher guidelines on dealing with the sexual abuse of minors by priests, saying any such allegation must be reported to prosecutors.

The new guidelines are valid for three years and come in response to hundreds of allegations of abuse by the clergy across Germany, the BBC reported on Tuesday.

Muslims across the world observe Laylat al-Qadr, or the holy 'Night of Glory' marking the revelation of the holy Quran to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

Laylat al-Qadr is viewed as one of the most significant religious occasions for Muslims as special prayer rituals and services are held on the eves of the last ten odd days of the fasting month of Ramadan.

A Vatican official has criticized Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi for calling on the European continent to convert to Islam during his two-day visit to Italy.

Speaking before 500 women paid to attend his lecture, Gaddafi on Sunday urged the Italian women to convert to Islam.

As Islam continues to appeal to the British public, high profile people have converted, including the son of the former director-general of BBC, Yahya Birt.

Yahya Birt, formerly Jonathan Birt, who converted to Islam in 1989, is the son of former BBC Director General Lord Birt. Yahya Birt received his doctorate from Oxford University on the subject of young British Muslims.

The Vatican has imposed new regulations which require visitors to dress appropriately, denying entry to those wearing shorts, revealing clothes and short skirts.

Should visitors in improper clothing attempt to enter the Vatican, they will be approached by Swiss Guards who will inform them about the new regulations and will direct them to nearby shops where they can buy proper trousers and shawls.

Tehran's interim Friday Prayers leader has called on Muslims across the globe to display a massive turnout in the Quds Day demonstrations.

Speaking ahead of the annual occasion scheduled for September 3, Ayatollah Mohammad Emami-Kashani called on Muslim nations to make a special effort to memorialize the Quds Day this year.

Scientists have discovered a planetary system in which at least five Neptune-sized planets orbit a solar type star called HD 10180 in the southern constellation of Hydrus.

The newest system of exoplanets, planets outside our Solar system, is believed to be the richest of its type.

Legendary French soccer player Zinedine Zidane is reportedly holding Iftar dinners across the French capital during Islam's holy month of Ramadan.

The 38-year-old Muslim superstar, who helped bring fame to the French national soccer squad by leading the French victory of the 1998 World Cup, has been holding Iftar dinners over the past several years, Fars news agency reported on Sunday.

August 21 marks the anniversary of the 1969 al-Aqsa Mosque fire, the origins of which are still being disputed over 40 years after the incident occurred.

The Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) designated this day both as a day to strengthen solidarity with the Palestinians and as an International Mosque Day, a Press TV correspondent reported on Saturday.

Iran has unveiled the oldest Persian Quran during the 18th edition of the International Quran Exhibition in the capital city of Tehran.

Iranian researcher Ali Revaqi discovered the book in the Central Library of Astan Quds Razavi in the city of Mashhad.