‘Kamat using government machinery to promote superstitions’

PANAJI – Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat’s much publicised visit to see a ‘miraculously’ discovered antique Ganesh idol has invited the ire of a leading anti-superstition group in the state.

The department of information and publicity Wednesday evening bombarded media organisations with official press notes and photographs of Kamat’s visit to the Chodankar home in … Read more >>.

Pakistan blocks access to YouTube in growing Internet crackdown over ’sacrilegious’ content

Pakistan blocks YouTube over unIslamic content

ISLAMABAD – The Pakistani government blocked access to YouTube on Thursday because of “sacrilegious” content on the video-sharing website, signaling a growing Internet crackdown against sites deemed offensive to the country’s majority Muslim population.
The move against YouTube came a day after the government blocked access to Facebook because of a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Muslims shouldn’t feel hurt by burqa ban: Sarkozy

LONDON – Muslims should not feel “hurt or stigmatised” by the planned ban on burqas, French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said as the French cabinet approved a draft law to bar the full-face veil from public areas.

Sarkozy told a cabinet meeting Wednesday: “This is a decision one doesn’t take lightly.”
Once the law comes into …. Source  : Muslims shouldn’t feel hurt by burqa ban: Sarkozy.

Pagan hits inside-the-park homer, starts triple play; both wasted in Mets’ 5-3 loss to Nats

Despite Pagan’s big night, Mets fall 5-3 to Nats

WASHINGTON – Angel Pagan hit an inside-the-park home run and started a triple play Wednesday night, but that wasn’t enough for the New York Mets in a 5-3 loss to the Washington Nationals.
Pagan became the first player in 55 years to take part in both feats in …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Pagan hits inside-the-park homer, starts triple play; both wasted in Mets’ 5-3 loss to Nats.

Pagan hits 1st inside-the-park HR at Nationals Park, starts Mets’ 1st triple play since 2002

Pagan hits inside-the-park HR, starts triple play

WASHINGTON – New York Mets center fielder Angel Pagan hit an inside-the-park home run and started a triple play Wednesday night, making him the first player in 55 years to take part in both feats in the same game.
Pagan hit the first inside-the-park home run in Nationals Park history … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Pagan hits 1st inside-the-park HR at Nationals Park, starts Mets’ 1st triple play since 2002.

Arunachal gets Himalayan cultures studies centre

NEW DELHI – Reflecting the government’s intention to address the issues related to the minorities, the union cabinet Wednesday approved establishment of a Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies (CIHCS) in Arunachal Pradesh’s West Kameng district, that is traditionally Buddhist.

“The union cabinet today (Wednesday) accorded approval for the establishment of the CIHCS at Dahung in … Read more : Arunachal gets Himalayan cultures studies centre.

Souder mistress, part-time aide resigns after GOP Ind. congressman admits extramarital affair

Souder’s mistress resigns after he admits affair

INDIANAPOLIS – Republicans are scrambling to hold onto Rep. Mark Souder’s seat following the evangelical Christian’s decision to resign over an extramarital affair with a staffer with whom he made a video touting the benefits of abstinence education.
Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he will call a special election this …. Original article  : Souder mistress, part-time aide resigns after GOP Ind. congressman admits extramarital affair.

Pakistan blocks Facebook because of page deemed offensive to Muslims

Muslim anger prompts Pakistan to block Facebook

LAHORE, Pakistan – Pakistan’s government ordered Internet service providers to block Facebook on Wednesday amid anger over a page that encourages users to post images of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad.
The page on the social networking site has generated criticism in Pakistan and elsewhere because Islam prohibits any images of the …. Source article  : Pakistan blocks Facebook because of page deemed offensive to Muslims.

Magazine condemns Brahmanical order, Mayawati orders probe

LUCKNOW – Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati Wednesday ordered a probe after a Hindi monthly, patronised by the ruling Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), published an article condemning various Hindu rituals and Brahmanical practices.

The May issue of the periodical has also made alleged derogatory references to temples, Vedas, Upanishads and Ramayana.
Even Mahatma Gandhi has not … Read : Magazine condemns Brahmanical order, Mayawati orders probe.

Bill on burqa ban goes to French cabinet

PARIS – A draft bill that would ban the all-body Islamic veil in all public areas in the country was presented to the French cabinet Wednesday by Justice Minister Michele Alliot-Marie.

If the bill becomes law, any woman wearing the veil, called a burqa, in public would be liable to a fine of 150 euros ($184), …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Bill on burqa ban goes to French cabinet.

Republicans scramble to hold onto seat of 8-term Rep. Souder after resignation over affair

GOP’s Souder latest politician with sex troubles

INDIANAPOLIS – Republicans are scrambling to hold onto Rep. Mark Souder’s seat following the evangelical Christian’s decision to resign over an extramarital affair with a staffer with whom he made a video touting the benefits of abstinence education.
Gov. Mitch Daniels has said he will call a special election this …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Total burqa ban presented to French cabinet

PARIS – French Justice Minister Michele Alliot-Marie presented Wednesday a draft bill that would ban the all-body Islamic veil in all public areas in the country.

If the bill becomes law, any woman wearing the veil, called a burqa, in public would be liable to a fine of 150 euros ($184), or be obliged to take … Read more »»».

Pakistani court orders government to block Facebook over page deemed offensive to Muslims

Pakistani court orders gov’t to block Facebook

LAHORE, Pakistan – A Pakistani court ordered the government Wednesday to block Facebook because of a page that encourages users to post images of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, a senior legal official said.
The page on the social networking site has generated criticism in Pakistan and elsewhere because Islam prohibits any … Read more >>.

Block Facebook over blasphemous cartoons: Pakistani court

ISLAMABAD – A Pakistani court Wednesday ordered the government to temporarily block the social-networking website Facebook after a controversy over a competition for caricatures of the Prophet Mohammed, media reports said.

The high court in the eastern city of Lahore issued the decree on a petition filed by the Islamic Lawyers Movement, seeking a ban of … Original article on : Block Facebook over blasphemous cartoons: Pakistani court.