Pope travels to Britain for four-day visit

ROME – Pope Benedict XVI Thursday left Rome to travel to Britain for a four-day state visit set to include meetings with Queen Elizabeth II, government officials, and leaders of the Anglican Church.

The Alitalia passenger jet carrying Benedict left the Italian capital’s Ciampino airport around 8.20 a.m. (0720 GMT). It was scheduled to arrive in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Pope travels to Britain for four-day visit.

Online campaign to canonise Goan origin priest

PANAJI – Back then, when the world travelled on horseback instead of motor cars, and hawks were used to take messages across, the canonisation of Catholic saints was largely a result of excited word-of-mouth regurgitation of miracles.

But today technology and outreach – besides devotion, of course – are the tools of a campaign launched by … Read more »»».

Hamas condemns France’s decision to ban Islamic veil

GAZA – Hamas has condemned a law passed by the French parliament that bars Muslim women in the country from wearing Islamic veils.

Ahmed Bahar, deputy speaker of the Hamas-dominated parliament in Gaza, said in a statement Wednesday that the decision taken Tuesday was “unfair, racist and hurts Muslims’ feelings”, Xinhua reported.
“Such a law is …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Hamas condemns France’s decision to ban Islamic veil.

West Ham manager Grant to miss match at Stoke due to clash with Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur

Grant to miss West Ham match due to Yom Kippur

LONDON – West Ham manager Avram Grant will be absent from Saturday’s Premier League match against Stoke because it falls on Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement.
Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Friday and ends at sundown on Saturday. West Ham’s match is due to …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : West Ham manager Grant to miss match at Stoke due to clash with Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.

1,900 convert to Islam in Dubai

Dubai, Sep 15 (IANS/WAM) Some 1,900 people from 25 countries have converted to Islam since the beginning of this year, the authorities in Dubai said Wednesday.

Of them, 397 people voluntarily came to the Dubai Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department during the holy month of Ramadan and declared their willingness to embrace Islam, its …. Source article  : 1,900 convert to Islam in Dubai.

Obama’s security team visits Amritsar

AMRITSAR – Ahead of US President Barack Obama’s visit to India in November, a special US team Wednesday conducted a security survey in Punjab’s Amritsar district, police said.

“A six-member team had come to Amritsar to conduct recce as President Barack Obama is expected to visit India in November. They inspected various tourist spots, important roads …. Original article  : Obama’s security team visits Amritsar.

UK bans ice cream ad featuring pregnant nun for being offensive to Catholics

Ice cream ad banned as “offensive” to Catholics

LONDON – Britain’s advertising watchdog has banned an Italian ice cream ad featuring a pregnant nun, saying it causes offense to Catholics.
The magazine ad for ice cream maker Antonio Federici showed the nun eating a tub of ice cream, with text that read: “Immaculately conceived … Ice cream … Read more »»».

On eve of pope’s visit, victims of childhood abuse demand Vatican hand over records on priests

Victims of childhood abuse demand action from pope

LONDON – Victims of childhood abuse by clergy urged the Vatican to give secular authorities all information it holds on misbehaving priests, and said Wednesday that the pope’s visit this week to Britain would cause many survivors pain and distress.
The Catholic Church has apologized for abuses by clergy … Read this article on Gaea Times at : On eve of pope’s visit, victims of childhood abuse demand Vatican hand over records on priests.

Pope Benedict XVI’s U.K. Visit A Big Event?

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (Gaeatimes.com)- On Tuesday, the head of the Roman Catholic Church in England and Wales mentioned to media sources that smaller number of people are expected to attend the scheduled visit of Pope Benedict XVI. While the initial estimation by the organizers held that around 80,000 people will be attending the beatification …. Source  : Pope Benedict XVI’s U.K. Visit A Big Event?.

Northern Ireland monitors say Protestant militants killed Belfast man, broke peace promises

Experts: Belfast militants killed man, broke truce

DUBLIN – A panel of terrorism experts ruled Wednesday that a Protestant militant group in Northern Ireland, the Ulster Volunteer Force, killed a Belfast man in May and broke its promise to renounce violence.
Britain and Northern Ireland leaders called on the shadowy organization to admit it killed Bobby Moffett …. Source article  : Northern Ireland monitors say Protestant militants killed Belfast man, broke peace promises.

Banker-turned-author breaks taboos, channels growing public frustration over immigrants

German book channels public’s immigrant angst

BERLIN – Thilo Sarrazin was a board member of Germany’s august central bank until he wrote a book claiming German society was being made “dumber” by Muslim immigrants. It’s a runaway best-seller, but has cost him his job.
By suggesting that Muslims’ inability, or unwillingness, to speak German may be linked … Read : Banker-turned-author breaks taboos, channels growing public frustration over immigrants.

Resolve Ayodhya issue through talks: Vinay Katiyar to government

LUCKNOW – Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national vice-president Vinay Katiyar Wednesday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to make attempts to resolve the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute through talks outside the court.

“The central government can file an affidavit in the court or take a suitable legal step for solving such a long-pending dispute which has religious …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Resolve Ayodhya issue through talks: Vinay Katiyar to government.

Police fire warning shots to disperse anti-Quran-burning protest in Afghan capital; 5 wounded

Afghan police fire to clear Quran-burning protest

KABUL, Afghanistan – Police fired warning shots to disperse hundreds of stone-hurling Afghans on Wednesday in the latest in a series of protests against Quran burning in the U.S.
At least 35 police officers and 10 protesters were wounded, said Interior Ministry spokesman Zemarai Bashary. Hospital officials said two of …. Original article  : Police fire warning shots to disperse anti-Quran-burning protest in Afghan capital; 5 wounded.

Haryana SGPC chief held as a preventive measure

KURUKSHETRA – Two people, including Sikh leader Jagdish Singh Jhinda who set a deadline to take over control of Sikh shrines in Haryana, were Wednesday arrested to maintain law and order in this district.

Jhinda, who heads an adhoc Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in Haryana, decided to take over control of Sikh shrines in the …. Read the original article  : Haryana SGPC chief held as a preventive measure.