Lebanon’s top Shiite cleric, Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, dies in hospital near Beirut at 75

Lebanon’s top Shiite cleric Fadlallah dies at 75

BEIRUT – Lebanon’s top Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, died Sunday after a long illness, a close aide and a hospital official said. He was 75.
Fadlallah, known for his staunch anti-American stance, was instrumental in the rise of Lebanon’s Shiites in the past decades and had … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Lebanon’s top Shiite cleric, Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, dies in hospital near Beirut at 75.

Amarnath Yatra interrupted due to bad weather

SRINAGAR – The Amarnath Yatra was Sunday interrupted as the passage of pilgrims at various safe shelters along the north and south Kashmir treks to the cave shrine was stopped due to inclement weather.

“We allowed 6,570 yatris to proceed towards the holy cave from the Baltal base camp in the morning today (Sunday). But as …. Read the original article  : Amarnath Yatra interrupted due to bad weather.

World’s most celebrated monk turns 75 Tuesday

DHARAMSALA – ‘His Holiness’, ‘Guruji’ and the ‘Dalai Lama’ are the more famous terms by which he is known. But as Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, turns 75 years old Tuesday, the landmark birthday will just be another day in the life of this ’simple Buddhist monk’ as he describes himself.

Born July 6, 1935, …. Read the original article  : World’s most celebrated monk turns 75 Tuesday.

Tirumala Temple: Authorities Refute Jewelry Larceny

TIRUPATI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Authorities of the world famous Tirumala Temple in the state of Andhra Pradesh have refuted charges that jewelry of Lord Venkateshwara of the temple has been missing. The administration of the temple has recently come under the scanner after multiple reports emerged in vernacular dailies that alleged that certain jewelry belonging … Original source on Gaea Times at : Tirumala Temple: Authorities Refute Jewelry Larceny.

Saying it with stones at an Uttar Pradesh temple

ETAWAH – People carry stones in their hands, looking out for more, some running, while others walk swiftly in a particular direction. No, the group is not getting ready for a fight, but going to a temple where stones are offered to appease the deity.

Welcome to the Bhujanga Devi temple in Naglabheekan village in Uttar … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Saying it with stones at an Uttar Pradesh temple.

Islamic hard-liners in Indonesia pledge war against Christians; government remains silent

Indonesian Islamists eye proselytizing Christians

BEKASI, Indonesia – A banner with a picture of a young, bespectacled Christian man is draped in front of a mosque, a fiery noose around his neck and the words, “This man deserves the death penalty!”
Churches are shut down. And an Islamic youth militia held its first day of training.
Though the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Islamic hard-liners in Indonesia pledge war against Christians; government remains silent.

Pope urges more protection for Christians in Iraq

Vatican City, July 3 (IANS/AKI) Pope Benedict XVI has urged Iraqi authorities to give more protection to Christians and other religious minorities in the insurgency-hit country.

Iraq’s new government needs to urgently implement measures designed to improve security for all sectors of the population but especially its various minorities, he said.
The pontiff reminded Iraq’s …. Source article  : Pope urges more protection for Christians in Iraq.

Meet next wave of tea party candidates, looking to upend status quo from Alaska to Tennessee

Tea party’s next wave rising in Alaska to Colorado
Rifle through a stack of tea party candidate resumes, and Joe Miller’s will stand out.
The man who wants to turn a fellow Republican, Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski, out of office is a graduate of Yale Law School and West Point, a decorated …. Source article  : Meet next wave of tea party candidates, looking to upend status quo from Alaska to Tennessee.

UK considering letting gay couples include religious elements in civil partnership ceremonies

UK considers religious gay union ceremonies

LONDON – Britain’s government is considering letting same-sex couples include religious elements in civil partnership ceremonies.
Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone says the government’s review of gay equality rights will consider allowing homosexual couples to include hymn singing and religious readings in their union ceremonies.
Parliament recently removed the ban on same-sex unions … Read more »».