The next two days will be filled with socializing, good foods and presents for Muslims countrywide. The three-day Muslim holiday of Eid-ul-Adha began yesterday. Muslims around the world will celebrate the story of Abraham or Ibrahim and his willingness to fully submit to God. The holiday is both religious and a fun-filled time. Muslims throughout the world honour Abraham by sacrificing their own animals- usually a bull, lamb or a sheep. Most people choose to have it done through a butcher rather than undertaking the task themselves. They may also carry the animal for the sacrifice to be done at a Masjid. In a story that appears in both the Quran and the Bible, Abraham is commanded by God to kill his son. Muslims believe the intended victim was Ishmael; Jews and Christians believe it was Isaac. Either way, Abraham is about to do the ghastly deed when God offers him a ram to sacrifice instead. Traditionally, the sacrifice evolves into an act of charity. It is customary for Muslims to give one-third of the meat to the poor and one-third to friends and family, and to keep one-third. Mohamed Mujay, a member of the McDoom Jamaat, said that they slaughtered about 16 animals (cows) and distributed the meat to the villagers. He explained that whatever meat is left, it will be distributed to the members of the Masjid. (KAIETEUR NEWS/PHOTO: KAIETEUR NEWS)…[+]

WASHINGTON – House Speaker John Boehner is resigning his position as the top House Republican and his seat in Congress at the end of October, a senior leadership aide said Friday. Boehner announced his decision to colleagues Friday morning, sharing the news with House Republicans during a closed-door conference meeting.

The abrupt decision comes after he faced heavy pressure from conservatives in his party to take a harder line on their causes, most recently over defunding Planned Parenthood. Boehner, who has served as House Speaker since 2011, explained during the closed-door meeting that he had only planned to serve two terms as speaker but decided to hold onto his post after then-House Majority Leader Eric Cantor lost his seat during a primary last year, a Republican lawmaker in the room told CNN. Boehner also told the lawmakers that Pope Francis’ visit to Congress the day before was a crystallizing moment, according to the lawmaker. Boehner’s decision came as a shock to many, with his top deputy House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy finding out moments before. The House Speaker is third in line for the presidency after the vice president. (CNN/PHOTO: washingtontimes.com)…[+]

SEATTLE – At least four international college students were killed when a tour bus and a duck boat tourist vehicle collided Thursday morning in Seattle, officials said. The students attended North Seattle College, which said several students are in critical condition, while other students and a North employee had serious injuries. “Because the deceased were international students, government officials are working to contact next of kin,” the school said.   “We extend our deepest condolences to the families of these deceased students, as well as to the students and employee who sustained injuries.” In the hours after the accident, fire officials said 44 people were hospitalized, 12 of whom were in critical condition.(CNN/PHOTO: CNN.COM)…[+]