Nepal’s ‘Living Goddess’ passes acid test

KATHMANDU – An extraordinary 15-year-old girl, who never went to school after being chosen as a ‘Kumari’ or ‘Living Goddess’ of Nepal revered by thousands of Hindus and Buddhists, has created history by becoming the first goddess to pass the tough school-leaving examination that leaves thousands floundering every year.

Chanira Bajracharya, one of the three ‘Kumaris’ …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Nepal’s ‘Living Goddess’ passes acid test.

Jammu rebuffs shutdown call

JAMMU – A shutdown called by a Hindu group against alleged harassment of Amarnath pilgrims in the Kashmir Valley Saturday evoked no response in the Hindu-dominated Jammu region.

All shops and businesses were open and traffic plied normally in Jammu and other towns in defiance of the call by the Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti. …. Original source  : Jammu rebuffs shutdown call.

European case over crucifixes in classrooms divides nations that will have to abide by ruling

European unity tested over crucifixes in classroom

ROME – An emotional debate over crucifixes in classrooms is opening a new crack in European unity.
It all started in a small town in northern Italy, where Finnish-born Soile Lautsi was so shocked by the sight of crosses above the blackboard in her children’s public school classroom that she … Read more : European case over crucifixes in classrooms divides nations that will have to abide by ruling.

AP INTERVIEW: Jewish, Catholic leaders say Oberammergau Passion Play more balanced

AP INTERVIEW: Passion Play called more balanced

BERLIN – The redo of Germany’s famous Oberammergau Passion Play apparently works.
A prominent American rabbi and the archbishop of New York said Friday that this year’s production is more balanced than in the past, after the director removed several stereotypes that had raised concerns of anti-Semitism.
New York’s Roman Catholic … Read : AP INTERVIEW: Jewish, Catholic leaders say Oberammergau Passion Play more balanced.

Jammu shutdown call has few supporters

JAMMU – The Jammu shutdown call given by Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangarsh Samiti (SAYSS), a group of social, political and religious organisations, for Saturday hasn’t many supporters among the people as it will “disturb” the peace of the region.

“Sorry, we are not going to support you this time. We will not allow you to spoil … Read : Jammu shutdown call has few supporters.

Poland holds presidential runoff between acting leader and dead president’s twin brother

Twin brother or acting leader? Poles to choose

WARSAW, Poland – Poland holds a presidential runoff Sunday between the former leader’s charismatic twin brother and the country’s dutiful acting president, men with similar anti-communist roots and Catholic backgrounds but sharply different outlooks.
The outcome is expected to shape Poland’s economy as well as determine how soon it …. Source article  : Poland holds presidential runoff between acting leader and dead president’s twin brother.