Fungus preys on ‘meditating monk’s’ mummy

GEU – The mummified body of a ‘meditating monk’ believed to be 550 years old is wasting away. Fungus has set in and loss of body mass is causing concern among the residents of this village in Lahaul and Spiti district as they worship it.

Villagers believe that the mummified lama was sitting in deep meditation … Read more >>>.

Catholic Church says Cuba agrees to free 52 political prisoners, nearly a third of all held

Church: Cuba agrees to free 52 political prisoners

HAVANA – Cuba has promised the Roman Catholic Church it will free 52 political prisoners, slashing the number it holds by nearly a third in what would be the communist-run island’s largest release of dissidents since Pope John Paul II visited in 1998.
Five would be released inititially and …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Catholic Church says Cuba agrees to free 52 political prisoners, nearly a third of all held.

Malaysia appoints 1st female Islamic court judges to curb discrimination against women

Malaysia appoints 1st female Islamic court judges

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – Malaysia’s Islamic Shariah courts have appointed their first female judges – a move praised by women’s rights activists Thursday as a boost for a judicial system often accused of favoring men.
Suraya Ramli and Rafidah Abdul Razak, formerly officials at the government’s Islamic judicial department, were …. Original article  : Malaysia appoints 1st female Islamic court judges to curb discrimination against women.

Catholic Church says Cuba offers to free 52 political prisoners, let them leave country

Church: Cuba offers to free 52 political prisoners

HAVANA – The Roman Catholic Church said Wednesday that Cuba’s communist government has agreed to free 52 political prisoners and allow them to leave the country in what would be the island’s largest mass liberation of dissidents in decades.
Five would be released in a matter of hours and … Read more : Catholic Church says Cuba offers to free 52 political prisoners, let them leave country.

Catholic Church says Cuba offers to free 47 political prisoners, let them leave country

Church: Cuba offers to free 47 political prisoners

HAVANA – Cuba’s Roman Catholic Church said Wednesday that the communist government has agreed to free 47 political prisoners and allow them to leave the country in what would be the largest mass liberation of prisoners of conscience on the island in decades.
The announcement followed a meeting between … Read more : Catholic Church says Cuba offers to free 47 political prisoners, let them leave country.

Anxiety seems to fuel religious extremism

TORONTO – Anxiety and uncertainty can egg us on to become more radical in our religious beliefs, according to a series of new studies.

In the studies, conducted by York University researchers, more than 600 participants were placed in anxiety-provoking or neutral situations.
They were then asked to describe their personal goals and rate their …. Source  : Anxiety seems to fuel religious extremism.

Iranian organization issues guidelines for modest hairstyles to combat ‘Western’ fashion

Iran offers modest new haircut guidelines for men

TEHRAN, Iran – An Iranian fashion organization has issued a new list of culturally appropriate haircuts for men, possibly indicating a new crackdown on male attire after years of strict rules for women, Iranian media reported.
Although the Ministry of Culture has yet to officially adopt the styles presented …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Iranian organization issues guidelines for modest hairstyles to combat ‘Western’ fashion.