Belfast faces big cleanup after 2 nights of riots; 55 police officers hurt in clashes

Belfast faces big cleanup after 2 nights of riots

BELFAST, Northern Ireland – Authorities in Northern Ireland faced a major cleanup Tuesday following two nights of rioting that brought sectarian tensions to a boil and left more than four dozen officers injured during a major Protestant holiday.
Commuters faced delays going to work as several roads were … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Belfast faces big cleanup after 2 nights of riots; 55 police officers hurt in clashes.

CAPITAL CULTURE: DC confidential _ faith leaders act as trusted advisers, friends to lawmakers

CAPITAL CULTURE: Lawmakers turn to faith leaders
WASHINGTON – When senators were tripping over one another to run for president in 2008, a number of them turned to a Senate adviser to discuss campaign challenges and opportunities. It didn’t matter that their opponents were talking to the same person.
Senate chaplain Barry Black heard about …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : CAPITAL CULTURE: DC confidential _ faith leaders act as trusted advisers, friends to lawmakers.

Rath Yatra 2010 In Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- Today is an auspicious occasion in India as the Rath Yatra is being celebrated in vamoose parts of the country. This annual event sees the gathering of millions of religious minded people at key cities of the country where the chariot festival is celebrated amidst enthusiasm and gusto. While the …. Original article  : Rath Yatra 2010 In Ahmedabad.

Rath Yatra 2010 Starts In Puri

CUTTACK (GaeaTimes.com)- Today is an auspicious day for the millions of devout and religious Indians who have gathered at Puri to take part in and witness the Rath Yatra 2010. This is a holy event that takes place annually in various parts of the country but the Rath Yatra in Puri is the … Original article on : Rath Yatra 2010 Starts In Puri.

Modi flags off Jagannath yatra in Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD – The annual chariot festival of the Hindu god Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra started here Tuesday morning with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi flagging off the daylong procession amid the chanting of hymns.

The 133rd Jagannath Rath Yatra started from the Jagannath temple at Jamalpur locality at 7 a.m. with Modi …. Original article  : Modi flags off Jagannath yatra in Ahmedabad.

Lakhs converge in Puri for Jagannath Rath Yatra

PURI – Lakhs of devotees and tourists thronged this temple town Tuesday for the annual Rath Yatra (chariot festival) of the Hindu god Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.

The ceremonial processions of the deities known as Pahandi (carrying the deities out of the temple to the chariots) started at 8.20 a.m., about an hour … Read more : Lakhs converge in Puri for Jagannath Rath Yatra.

AP Interview: Rep. King, ranking Republican on Homeland Security, questions ground zero mosque

King raises questions about ground zero mosque

NEW YORK – The ranking Republican on the House Homeland Security Committee said Monday he favors an investigation into the funding of a proposed mosque near ground zero.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Rep. Peter King raised concerns about the sources of funding for the proposed $100 million …. Original article  : AP Interview: Rep. King, ranking Republican on Homeland Security, questions ground zero mosque.

Mormon church reaffirms opposition to gay marriage as Argentina weighs legalization

Mormon church restates opposition to gay marriage

SALT LAKE CITY – Mormon church leaders have restated the faith’s unequivocal position against gay marriage in a letter to members in Argentina, where the government is debating whether to legalize gay unions.
“The doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is absolutely clear: Marriage is between … Original source on Gaea Times at : Mormon church reaffirms opposition to gay marriage as Argentina weighs legalization.

Church of England body says women bishops should be allowed_ with few concessions

Church of England paves the way for women bishops

LONDON – The Church of England national assembly decided Monday that women should be allowed to become bishops, making only minor concessions to theological conservatives who have threatened to break away over the issue.
Dioceses will now consider the draft law, which would leave it up to individual …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Church of England body says women bishops should be allowed_ with few concessions.

Mormon church reaffirms opposition to gay marriage in Argentina weighs gay union legalization

Mormon church reaffirms opposition to gay marriage

SALT LAKE CITY – Mormon church leaders have sent a letter reaffirming the faith’s position on gay marriage to its members in Argentina, where the government is debating whether to legalize gay unions.
Spokeswoman Kim Farah on Monday confirmed it was sent to Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints … Original source on Gaea Times at : Mormon church reaffirms opposition to gay marriage in Argentina weighs gay union legalization.

Church of England’s ruling body says women bishops should be allowed

Church of England allows women bishops
LONDON – The Church of England national assembly has decided that women should be allowed to become bishops, making only minor concessions to theological conservatives who have threatened to break away over the issue.

Dioceses will now consider the draft law, which would let individual bishops allow alternative oversight for traditionalists … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Church of England’s ruling body says women bishops should be allowed.

Belfast police, masked Catholic rioters clash in protest over Protestant parade

Belfast police, Catholic rioters clash over parade

BELFAST, Northern Ireland – Police battled Irish nationalists for control of a Belfast road Monday as a day dominated by peaceful Protestant parades across Northern Ireland turned violent when night fell.
Riot police in helmets and body armor dragged kicking, flailing protesters from the pavement of Crumlin Road even as … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Belfast police, masked Catholic rioters clash in protest over Protestant parade.

Over 1 lakh pilgrims at Amarnath so far

SRINAGAR – A total of 141,232 Hindu pilgrims have so far paid obeisance at the holy Amarnath Cave in Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) officials said here Monday.

“Today (Monday) 5,620 yatris (pilgrims) comprising 3,907 men, 1,344 women, 355 children and 14 sadhus left from Nunwan-Phalgam while 3,841, comprising 2,306 men, 1,158 women, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Over 1 lakh pilgrims at Amarnath so far.

Police say cult comic book writer, film subject Harvey Pekar dies at 70 in Ohio

Police: Cult comic writer Pekar dead at 70 in Ohio

CLEVELAND – Comic book writer Harvey Pekar, whose “American Splendor” was made into a 2003 film starring Paul Giamatti, was found dead in his home early Monday, authorities said. He was 70.
Officers were called to Pekar’s suburban home by his wife about 1 a.m., Cleveland Heights … Original article on : Police say cult comic book writer, film subject Harvey Pekar dies at 70 in Ohio.

Protestants march across Northern Ireland after night of Catholic riots; 27 officers injured

Orangemen march after Belfast riot; 27 police hurt

BELFAST, Northern Ireland – Belfast riot police braced for a second night of conflict with Irish nationalists Monday as Protestants from the conservative Orange Order brotherhood mounted their divisive annual marches across Northern Ireland.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said 27 officers suffered mostly minor injuries during street …. Read the original article  : Protestants march across Northern Ireland after night of Catholic riots; 27 officers injured.

French veil ban set to pass lower house of parliament, but legal challenges likely later

French parliament set to vote on veil ban
PARIS – As France’s parliament debates whether to ban burqa-like Muslim veils, one lawmaker compares them to muzzles, or “walking coffins.” Another proclaims that women who wear them must be liberated, even against their will.

Amid little resistance, France’s lower house of parliament will likely approve a ban on … Read : French veil ban set to pass lower house of parliament, but legal challenges likely later.

Religious conversion bill moves ahead in Israel’s parliament, angering liberal Jews

Liberal groups slam new Israel law on conversion

JERUSALEM – A parliamentary committee in Israel has approved a bill that some fear could increase the power of conservative rabbis by giving the country’s Orthodox rabbinate exclusive control over conversions to Judaism.
Conversion is a highly sensitive issue for Jews of all denominations and the law has angered … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Religious conversion bill moves ahead in Israel’s parliament, angering liberal Jews.

Security up in Puri ahead of Rath Yatra

BHUBANESWAR – Security has been increased in Orissa’s Puri city ahead of the annual nine-day chariot festival of Lord Jagannath beginning Tuesday that is expected to draw nearly a million devotees.

More than 5,000 policemen have been deployed across the city to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident, a police official said Monday. …. Original article  : Security up in Puri ahead of Rath Yatra.