Nirupama Rao to meet Dalai Lama in Mcleodganj

DHARAMSALA – Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao is arriving at McLeodganj near here, the headquarters of the Tibetan government-in-exile, Saturday and is slated to meet the Dalai Lama, an official said.

“Nirupama Rao is reaching McLeodganj at around 1.30 p.m. for a two-day visit,” Superintendent of Police Atul Fulzele told IANS.
The foreign secretary is a former …. Original source  : Nirupama Rao to meet Dalai Lama in Mcleodganj.

Special trains for Rath Yatra in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR – At least 63 special trains will be run for pilgrims during the Rath Yatra, the annual nine-day chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, in Orissa’s temple city of Puri, an official said Saturday.

“The special trains will run from different parts of Orissa, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh. These exclude the existing trains coming to … Read : Special trains for Rath Yatra in Orissa.

Presbyterian leaders: US should end Israel aid unless nation backs off Palestinian settlements

Presbyterians: End Israel aid over settlements

MINNEAPOLIS – Presbyterian leaders strongly backed a proposal Friday that included a call to end U.S. aid to Israel unless the country stops settlement expansions in disputed Palestinian territories.
But they said the 172-page report, which details their church’s approach to issues in the Middle East, was a sincere effort to … Original article on : Presbyterian leaders: US should end Israel aid unless nation backs off Palestinian settlements.

Strikes by Iran’s powerful merchants raise new worries for authorities

Protests simmer among Iran’s powerful merchants

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Tehran’s powerful merchants don’t need street protests to make their anger known – the sound of shops being locked up and metal grates clanging shut during a wave of anti-tax strikes this week was enough to unsettle Iranian authorities.
The closures – with Tehran’s expansive bazaar … Read more »»».

Haj accommodation in keeping with guidelines: Government

NEW DELHI – In the wake of reports of irregularities in the accommodation for Haj pilgrims, the external affairs ministry Friday said the arrangements were done in accordance with the established guidelines and the local conditions.

“As and when information of such nature comes to the ministry’s notice, immediate remedial steps are taken in consultation with … Read more >>.

Presbyterians reject bid to reconsider gay debate; definition of marriage to hold 2 years

Presbyterians won’t reconsider gay marriage debate

MINNEAPOLIS – Presbyterian leaders meeting in Minneapolis won’t revisit their decision against redefining marriage to include same-sex couples, at least for now.
Delegates to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) general assembly defeated a motion Friday to reconsider the previous night’s shelving of a measure to redefine marriage as between “two people.”
Gay rights … Read more : Presbyterians reject bid to reconsider gay debate; definition of marriage to hold 2 years.

Pew survey: Europeans generally back bans on face-covering Islamic veils, most Americans don’t

Survey: Europeans back veil ban, Americans opposed

PARIS – While most Americans oppose banning face-covering Islamic veils, most western Europeans questioned in a new global poll say the garments should be forbidden – especially in France, where a ban may soon be a reality.
Several European countries have been considering bans on such veils, with special attention … Read : Pew survey: Europeans generally back bans on face-covering Islamic veils, most Americans don’t.

Strike in Jharkhand over idol theft, Muslims lend support

RANCHI – Several parts of Jharkhand, including the state capital, shut down Friday in response to a strike called by Hindu religious groups, and supported by Muslims, to protest the theft of a three-century-old idol of a Hindu goddess from a revered temple in Ramgarh district.

The strike was called by the Hindu religious group, [..] Read the original article: here.

Church of England renews battle over terms for allowing women to be bishops

Church of England debates allowing women bishops

LONDON – The Church of England’s governing body is opening a five-day meeting dominated by more arguments about allowing women to be bishops.
The General Synod, which begins meeting Friday afternoon, has scheduled 15 hours of debate about provisions for those in the church who refuse to accept women as [..] Read the original article: here.

UK foreign ministry pulls ambassador’s blog post praising Hezbollah-linked cleric after outcry

UK removes blog post praising late Lebanese cleric

LONDON – Britain’s ambassador to Beirut angered Israelis and embarrassed officials in London after writing a blog post praising the late Grand Ayatollah Mohammed Hussein Fadlallah, Lebanon’s top Shiite cleric, who supported Hezbollah’s and other militants’ attacks on Israel.
Frances Guy, who has served nearly four years as the … Read more : UK foreign ministry pulls ambassador’s blog post praising Hezbollah-linked cleric after outcry.

Pope names Vatican official to run scandal-plagued Legionaries of Christ

Pope names official to run Legionaries of Christ

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI has named a senior Vatican official to run the scandal-plagued Legionaries of Christ after an eight-month investigation of the order.
The Vatican announcement Friday said Italian Archbishop Velasio De Paolis is the papal delegate tapped to run the order. He heads the Vatican’s … Read more »».

Srinagar’s head cleric seeks curfew relaxation

SRINAGAR – The head cleric of Srinagar Friday appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir government to relax curfew in the city so that people can observe the Shab-e-Meraj religious festival.

Mufti Azaam Bashir-ud-Din also appealed to the people to perform their religious duties connected with Shab-e-Meraj (anniversary of the night-time ascension of Prophet to heaven from …. Source  : Srinagar’s head cleric seeks curfew relaxation.