Bangladesh blocks Facebook over campaign to draw images of Islam’s Muhammad

Bangladesh blocks Facebook over prophet drawings

DHAKA, Bangladesh – Bangladesh has become the second South Asian nation after Pakistan to block the popular social networking website Facebook over a page that urged people to draw images of Islam’s Prophet Muhammad.
Chief telecommunication regulator Zia Ahmed said Sunday that access to the site has been temporarily blocked because …. Read the original article  : Bangladesh blocks Facebook over campaign to draw images of Islam’s Muhammad.

Old, opulent NY Catholic church to be dismantled, rebuilt in affluent Atlanta suburb

Old Buffalo church to be reborn in Atlanta suburb

BUFFALO, N.Y. – For decades, countless people from Buffalo have made the move from Rust Belt to Sun Belt. Maybe it was only a matter of time before one of its buildings would follow.
A Roman Catholic parish in the affluent northern suburbs of Atlanta has begun raising …. Read the original article  : Old, opulent NY Catholic church to be dismantled, rebuilt in affluent Atlanta suburb.

At a Tibetan precipice: With the Dalai Lama nearly 75, what happens after he dies?

What happens when the Dalai Lama dies?
DHARMSALA, INDIA – The question looms over this raggedy hillside town, a place where ancient mysticism constantly brushes against the realities of modern geopolitics. The monks who fled across the Himalayas ask it quietly, as do the exile politicians. Even the angry young activists are careful how they raise [..] Read the original article: here.

An Indian-style Buddhist temple gifted to ’sister civilisation’ China

LUOYANG – Wearing yellow robes and chanting mantras, dozens of Buddhist monks received President Pratibha Patil who dedicated a grand Indian-style temple to China as a “gift from the people of India to a sister civilisation”.

As rows of monks in brown and yellow gathered at the courtyard of the temple, which adjoins the famous White … Read more : An Indian-style Buddhist temple gifted to ’sister civilisation’ China.

Iraq’s al-Maliki says he’s only PM nominee from his party, rejects consensus candidate

Iraq’s al-Maliki says he’s only party PM nominee

BAGHDAD – Iraq’s prime minister said Saturday he is the only nominee from his political party to run the nation’s next government, rejecting suggestions of a consensus candidate to satisfy those concerned about his leadership.
Nouri al-Maliki’s comments revealed an unwillingness to budge in negotiations with his Shiite partners … Original article on : Iraq’s al-Maliki says he’s only PM nominee from his party, rejects consensus candidate.