Religion News – Newsletter for February 16, 2010

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Tibetan exiles send greeting cards to Obama
DHARAMSALA – Just two days ahead of the crucial meeting between the Dalai Lama and US President Barack Obama in the White House, Tibetan exiles settled in this hill station have sent Losar (Tibetan New Year) greetings to Obama.

“As many as 700 postcards were despatched to the White House today (Tuesday) from here as a …. Original source  : Tibetan exiles send greeting cards to Obama.

Dalai Lama set to leave for US, to meet Obama (Lead, Superseding earlier story)
DHARAMSALA – Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama was set Tuesday to leave for the US where he will have a long-awaited meeting with President Barack Obama despite China’s objection, an aide said.

Tenzin Taklha, joint secretary in the Dalai Lama’s office, told IANS that the Dalai Lama would spend 10 days in the US. The …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Dalai Lama set to leave for US, to meet Obama (Lead, Superseding earlier story).

Dalai Lama leaves for 10-day US visit
DHARAMSALA – Exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama left for a 10-day US visit Tuesday, during which he is scheduled to meet President Barack Obama and attend a host of religious and social functions, his aide said here.

“His Holiness (the Dalai Lama) today (Tuesday) began his 10-day US visit. He will meet President Obama …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Hot-shooting North Texas cruises past Houston Baptist 107-87

North Texas routs Houston Baptist 107-87
HOUSTON – Josh White scored 28 points and hot-shooting North Texas rolled to a 107-87 victory over Houston Baptist Monday night.

North Texas (18-8) hit 56 percent of its shots from the field overall, and 59 percent (10-for-17) from 3-point range. White was 4-for-6 from long distance.
Houston Baptist (6-19) led 42-38 …. Original article  : Hot-shooting North Texas cruises past Houston Baptist 107-87.

‘Laxmanananda not a VHP leader as projected in media’
BHUBANESWAR – Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Ashok Singhal Monday said Swami Laxmanananda, whose murder triggered the Kandhamal riots in 2008, was not a VHP leader as projected in the media.

“Laxmanananda was not a VHP leader as it is often written in the media,” Singhal said here.
“He was a sant (ascetic). A sant is …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : ‘Laxmanananda not a VHP leader as projected in media’.

Blacklisted from running, Iraqi lawmaker says Sunni vote boycott won’t help political standoff

Iraqi lawmaker: Sunni boycott won’t solve standoff

BAGHDAD – A top Sunni Arab leader, banned from running in next month’s elections, said Monday that a Sunni boycott won’t solve a standoff over who can run in Iraq’s next parliament – though he stopped short of urging his supporters to vote.
At issue is a ballot purge by …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Blacklisted from running, Iraqi lawmaker says Sunni vote boycott won’t help political standoff.

E-management training programme for Waqf boards
BHOPAL – In a step towards e-management of properties affiliated to Muslim shrines and mosques, the Minorities Affairs Ministry Monday began a three-day training programme here to familiarise Waqf board officers with computerisation and digitisation of records.

The programme will train Waqf board officers in digital accounting, auditing and budgeting, an official statement said.
Twenty-seven officers …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : E-management training programme for Waqf boards.

Pope begins talks with Irish bishops over sex scandal
VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI began talks Monday with a delegation of Irish bishops summoned to the Vatican to discuss a child sex abuse scandal which has shaken the Catholic Church in Ireland.

The talks which are scheduled to end Tuesday, stem from a November report on abuse in the Dublin Archdiocese which heavily criticized … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pope begins talks with Irish bishops over sex scandal.