Pope accepts bishop’s resignation over sex scandal

Vatican City, March 25 (IANS/AKI) Pope Benedict XVI has accepted the resignation of an Irish bishop who was found to have not handled properly allegations of clerical sex abuse in his diocese.

The pope accepted Bishop John Magee’s resignation Wednesday, a year after he quit as bishop of Cloyne in southern Ireland. Magee stepped aside in …. Read the original article  : Pope accepts bishop’s resignation over sex scandal.

Indian-origin economist hailed as messiah

LONDON – A British economist of Indian origin has been left perplexed after being hailed by a cult as its “chosen one” who it believes was hiding in the Himalayas for 2,000 years.

“I’m not the messiah… I’m just an economics expert,” an exasperated Raj Patel has been saying after being bombarded with email messages from …. Source article  : Indian-origin economist hailed as messiah.

Times report: Documents show Vatican was told about Wis. priest who may have molested 200 boys

Times: Vatican was warned about priest in Wis.

NEW YORK – Documents obtained by The New York Times show Milwaukee’s Roman Catholic archbishop warned a top Vatican office led by future Pope Benedict XVI about a priest who may have molested as many as 200 deaf boys.
The documents were provided by two lawyers who have filed …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Times report: Documents show Vatican was told about Wis. priest who may have molested 200 boys.

A temple where upper castes bow to Dalits

LUCKNOW – Stories of socially marginalised people not being allowed into places of worship are common in India. In such a scenario, a Dalit family presiding over an Uttar Pradesh temple for ages is nothing short of exemplary.

It’s only Dalits who have been priests of the Kali Mata temple, dedicated to goddess Durga, in Lakhna …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Niqab for Muslim women banned in Canadian province

TORONTO – After France, Muslim women have been banned from wearing niqab in Canada’s French-speaking Quebec province.

A bill tabled Wednesday will not allow government services to women wearing the niqab.
The bill comes after protests triggered by an Egyptian immigrant’s refusal to remove her niqab in her French languages classes in Montreal, forcing the school …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

In post-election talks in Iraq, Shiite rivals inch closer to prime minister’s coalition

Shiite rivals inch closer to Iraqi premier’s group

BAGHDAD – The Iraqi prime minister’s efforts to forge a governing Shiite alliance inched closer Wednesday after he met for the first time with members of a party led by an influential anti-American cleric who’s been one of the prime minister’s staunchest critics.
The State of Law coalition led …. Read the original article  : In post-election talks in Iraq, Shiite rivals inch closer to prime minister’s coalition.

Israel’s Chief Rabbinate finds fake Passover matzah, warns people to be on lookout

Israeli rabbis warn about fake Passover matzah

JERUSALEM – Israel’s Chief Rabbinate is warning Israeli citizens to be on the lookout for pirate matzah and Jews are worried, a merchant said Wednesday.
A week before the start of the holiday of Passover, Israeli police raided a warehouse containing a 7-ton stockpile of matzah with fake kosher certificates, … Read more : Israel’s Chief Rabbinate finds fake Passover matzah, warns people to be on lookout.

Akon postpones concert in Sri Lanka after protests over Buddha statue in music video

Akon postpones Sri Lanka tour after Buddha uproar

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – R&B star Akon has postponed a planned concert in Sri Lanka following angry protests over a music video he is in where scantily clad women dance in front of a Buddha statue.
Akon, who expressed regret and said he was not previously aware of the … Read more »»».

Sri Lanka plans to bar R&B singer Akon after uproar over Buddha statue in his video

Sri Lanka plans to bar entry to R&B singer Akon

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – Sri Lanka says it won’t issue a visa for R&B singer Akon for a planned concert next month, following outrage over his video showing scantily clad women near a Buddha statue.
The government made the decision because the video “triggered a lot of … Read : Sri Lanka plans to bar R&B singer Akon after uproar over Buddha statue in his video.

Opponent turned peacebroker, Northern Ireland firebrand Ian Paisley makes Parliament exit

Northern Ireland firebrand makes Parliament exit

LONDON – Protestant firebrand Ian Paisley – the Northern Ireland naysayer turned peacebroker – made a final appearance Wednesday in Parliament, capping a 40-year career by lauding a peace process that he long opposed.
Speaking in the showpiece weekly questions session with Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the 83-year-old evangelist called on … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Opponent turned peacebroker, Northern Ireland firebrand Ian Paisley makes Parliament exit.

Indonesian police order cancellation of regional gay activists’ conference

Indonesian police ban regional gay conference

JAKARTA, Indonesia – Indonesian police ordered the cancellation Wednesday of a conference of Asian gay activists, saying it could prompt violent protests by conservative Muslim groups.
The conference, organized by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association, or ILGA, was due to take place this weekend with participants from …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Indonesian police order cancellation of regional gay activists’ conference.

Bhadrachalam Celebrates Ram Navami

BHADRACHALAM, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The temple town of Bhadrachalam conducted the Elysian wedding between Lord Rama and Mata Sita that was held in between 10:30 a.m and 12:30 p.m today on Mar 24 at the Mithila Stadium. This ritual happens to be an usual one which is repeated each and every year on the felicitous eve …. Source  : Bhadrachalam Celebrates Ram Navami.

Pope accepts resignation of Irish Bishop John Magee in sex abuse scandal

Pope accepts resignation of Irish bishop
VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday accepted the resignation of Irish Bishop John Magee in the country’s sex abuse scandal.

The 73-year-old Magee has been accused of mishandling complaints against priests in his diocese of Cloyne. The Vatican said without elaboration that the pope had accepted his resignation.
Before being …. Original article  : Pope accepts resignation of Irish Bishop John Magee in sex abuse scandal.

Sarkozy vows to ban the burqa

PARIS – French President Nicolas Sarkozy vowed Wednesday to introduce a law to ban the burqa in France, saying that the all-body Islamic veil was an insult to women.

The declaration was part of a major policy speech intended as a response to his party’s defeat in Sunday’s regional elections, which has shaken his position and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sarkozy vows to ban the burqa.

Maharashtra celebrates Ram Navami

MUMBAI – Ram Navami, the birth of Lord Ram, was celebrated with enthusiasm and religious fervour in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra Wednesday.

One of the main functions in Mumbai was held at the famous International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) temple, where celebrities, film stars and others gathered for the colourful morning ‘abhishek’ (ceremonial …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Maharashtra celebrates Ram Navami.