Israel’s Netanyahu says he will oppose conversion bill, fearing rift in Jewish world

Netanyahu says he will oppose conversion bill

JERUSALEM – Israel’s prime minister says he will oppose a bill on conversions to Judaism that has angered liberal Jewish groups worldwide.
Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he fears the legislation making its way through Israel’s parliament would create a rift in the Jewish world.
Last week, a parliamentary committee in Israel …. Read the original article  : Israel’s Netanyahu says he will oppose conversion bill, fearing rift in Jewish world.

67 percent Britons want burqa ban

LONDON – A majority of Britons – around 67 percent – want to see the burqa banned in the country.

Earlier in the week, members of parliament in France voted to outlaw the full Islamic veil in public. A poll by YouGov showed that two-thirds of the British public would like to see their government follow …. Source article  : 67 percent Britons want burqa ban.

Ramakrishna Mission chief hospitalised

KOLKATA – The president of the Ramakrishna Mutt and Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Atwashtananda has been admitted to a private hospital run by the mission following stomach pain.

“He was admitted Friday night. He is undergoing tests,” a Ramakrishna Mission spokesman Saturday said.
A team of specialists is treating Swami Atwashtananda, who is on restricted diet.
…. Original article  : Ramakrishna Mission chief hospitalised.

India-born archbishop named Vatican’s top UN envoy

VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI Saturday named a India-born archbishop, Francis Assisi Chullikatt, as the Vatican’s top envoy at the UN.

Chullikat, 57, takes up the position of Holy See Permanent Observer at the UN, replacing Archbishop Celestino Migliore who last month was named the Vatican’s apostolic nuncio to Poland.
Born in Bolghatty, in the … Read more >>>.

Vatican spokesman defends revised rules on clerical sex abuse, but says law ‘not everything’

Vatican defends revised abuse rules
VATICAN CITY – The Vatican spokesman has defended a revised set of rules on clerical sex abuse as an important and lasting response to abuse cases.

The Vatican issued its revised in-house rules this week, targeting priests who molest the mentally disabled as well as children and doubling the statute of limitations … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Vatican spokesman defends revised rules on clerical sex abuse, but says law ‘not everything’.

One day I will win over the Chinese, says Dalai Lama

DHARAMSALA – Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama has again expressed his firm belief that one day he would win over the Chinese leaders to gain genuine autonomy for the people living in Tibet, but reiterated that he was not seeking separation from China.

“You know, I have my mantra, we are not seeking independence, and … Read : One day I will win over the Chinese, says Dalai Lama.

Sabarimala temple averse to suggestion on widening steps, door

SABARIMALA – A fresh controversy has broken out in Kerala’s famed Sabarimala temple, this time over a court suggestion to consider widening of the temple’s 18 holy steps as well as the door to the sanctum sanctorum to allow pilgrims easier access.

The head priest of the temple and a vastu expert, among others, have opposed … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sabarimala temple averse to suggestion on widening steps, door.

Advani impressed by Hindu influence in Indonesia

NEW DELHI – Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K. Advani Saturday said he was impressed with the influence of Hinduism on Indonesia – the country with most Muslims in the world.

Back from his recent four-day trip to Indonesia, to attend a World Sindhi Conference, Advani said in his blog that though Hindus made only … Read more >>>.