Dozens speak out against planned mosque near ground zero at NYC hearing on landmark status

Opponents pack hearing on mosque near ground zero

NEW YORK – Dozens of opponents and some supporters of a mosque planned near ground zero attended a raucous hearing Tuesday about whether the building where the Muslim place of worship would be created warrants designation as a city landmark and should be protected from development.
Republican gubernatorial candidate …. Source  : Dozens speak out against planned mosque near ground zero at NYC hearing on landmark status.

French National Assembly approves ban on burqa

PARIS – The lower house of the French parliament, the National Assembly, Tuesday passed a bill banning the wearing of the Islamic all-body veil, or burqa, in all public places.

If approved in the fall by the Senate and then by the Constitutional Council, the law would impose a fine of 150 euros ($190) or a …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Rath Yatra celebrated with fervour in Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD – The annual chariot festival of the Hindu god Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra was celebrated with gaiety and religious fervour here Tuesday with Chief Minister Narendra Modi joining in the festivities.

Flagged off by Modi in the morning amidst chanting of hymns, the ratha yatra wound it’s way on a 22-km-long route …. Source article  : Rath Yatra celebrated with fervour in Ahmedabad.

7 Cuban dissidents freed and sent to Spain, first of 52 political prisoners to be freed

7 Cuban dissidents find freedom in Spain
MADRID – Seven former political prisoners from Cuba smiled and gave victory signs Tuesday after they and their families were flown to freedom in Madrid, the first of 52 dissidents the Cuban government has promised to free in a historic policy shift.

In an action once deemed unthinkable, Cuba agreed …. Read the original article  : 7 Cuban dissidents freed and sent to Spain, first of 52 political prisoners to be freed.

French ban on Islamic face veils passes lower house of parliament, despite quiet concerns

French parliament approves ban on face veils

PARIS – France’s lower house of parliament overwhelmingly approved a ban on wearing burqa-style Islamic veils Tuesday, part of a determined effort to define and protect French values that has disconcerted many in the country’s large Muslim community.
Proponents of the law say face-covering veils don’t square with the French …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : French ban on Islamic face veils passes lower house of parliament, despite quiet concerns.

7 Cuban political prisoners arrive in Madrid, first of 52 such prisoners to be freed

7 Cuban political prisoners arrive in Spain

MADRID – Seven former political prisoners from Cuba smiled and gave victory signs Tuesday after they and their families arrived in Madrid, the first of 52 dissidents the Cuban government has promised to free in a historic policy shift.
In an action once deemed unthinkable, the Cuban government agreed last …. Read the original article  : 7 Cuban political prisoners arrive in Madrid, first of 52 such prisoners to be freed.

Thousands pull chariots in Kolkata rath yatra

KOLKATA – Thousands of devotees and foreign tourists chanting “Hare Krishna” Tuesday pulled the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra during the annual Ratha Yatra (chariot festival) here.

Organised by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON, the procession with the deities astride three chariots snaked its way from Park Circus Maidan of South Kolkata … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Thousands pull chariots in Kolkata rath yatra.

82 police injured in Northern Ireland’s 2 nights of Catholic riots; politicians plead for calm

82 police injured in Belfast’s 2 nights of riots

BELFAST, Northern Ireland – Northern Ireland’s political and security leaders condemned Irish nationalist militants Tuesday who injured 82 police officers during two nights of rioting sparked by the province’s annual parades by the British Protestant majority.
While most of the officers sustained minor injuries like cuts and bruises, …. Original article  : 82 police injured in Northern Ireland’s 2 nights of Catholic riots; politicians plead for calm.

French ban on Islamic face veils set to pass lower house of parliament, despite quiet concerns

French parliament set to approve ban on face veils

PARIS – France’s lower house of parliament appeared ready Tuesday to approve a ban on burqa-like Islamic veils, a move that is popular among French voters despite concerns from Muslim groups and human rights advocates.
The issue is potent in Europe: Several other countries have similar proposals in … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : French ban on Islamic face veils set to pass lower house of parliament, despite quiet concerns.