Listen to Bhole Baba Songs Today !

NEW DELHI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com) — Lord Siva is regarded as the Supreme Being. His followers lovingly call him by the name Bhole Baba. His followers, often sing songs, for spiritual enlightenment. These songs are said to energize them, and motivate them. These songs are performed in different religious ceremonies, mostly Shiva Ratri. Lots of …. Source  : Listen to Bhole Baba Songs Today !.

Court remarks upset Kerala temple officials

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Officials of the famed Attukal Bhagavathy temple here have expressed concern over a reference made by the Kerala High Court last week during a hearing on the government’s plea against curbs on roadside public meetings.

During the course of the hearing, a division bench of the court made a passing reference to the Attukal …. Original article  : Court remarks upset Kerala temple officials.

Mea culpa: Top Vatican art historian shoots down Vatican paper’s suggestion of new Caravaggio

Vatican reverses itself, painting not a Caravaggio

VATICAN CITY – The Vatican’s top art historian on Monday shot down a report in its own newspaper that suggested a recently discovered painting was a Caravaggio.
The head of the Vatican Museums, Antonio Paolucci, wrote in the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano that the work was most likely a copy … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Mea culpa: Top Vatican art historian shoots down Vatican paper’s suggestion of new Caravaggio.

Experts slam organizers over Germany festival stampede as prosecutors announce criminal probe

Experts slam organizers over Germany stampede

DUISBURG, Germany – Prosecutors on Monday opened a criminal investigation into the deaths of 20 young adults who were trampled to death at the Love Parade, as experts accused the techno festival’s organizers of ignoring Germany’s exemplary safety standards and setting up a death trap.
Prosecutors did not specify who had … Read more »».

Court decision on disputed Ayodhya land in September

LUCKNOW – A special bench of the Allahabad High Court Monday concluded the hearing related to ownership of a disputed land in Ayodhya to which Hindus and Muslims have made rival claims for over a century. The decision is likely to be delivered in September.

While Hindus claim the land to be the site of …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Court decision on disputed Ayodhya land in September.

Heart of Indian culture lies in Islam: Khurshid

NEW DELHI – Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid Monday said Islam has played a “great role” in shaping the country’s “Indianness” in terms of art, culture and social behaviour.

“Islam stands for peace, brotherhood and prosperity and in India this religion has played a great role in shaping the art, culture and social behaviour that today … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Heart of Indian culture lies in Islam: Khurshid.

Attacks on Christians again in Nepal

KATHMANDU – Attacks on Christians have resumed in this country with a mob breaking a 68-year-old Indian Army veteran’s ribs for praying in a church in western Nepal, an activist has alleged.

Sher Bahadur Pun, a 68-year-old retired Nepali soldier who had served with the Indian Army, faced his worst fight last month when he and … Original source on Gaea Times at : Attacks on Christians again in Nepal.

Tenn. GOP gubernatorial candidate Ramsey criticized for questioning if Islam is a religion

Tenn. gov hopeful questions if Islam is a ‘cult’

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron Ramsey is being criticized by a national Muslim advocacy group for questioning whether Islam is more of a cult than a a religion.
At an event in Chattanooga earlier this month, Ramsey said: “You could even argue whether that being a … Read : Tenn. GOP gubernatorial candidate Ramsey criticized for questioning if Islam is a religion.

In latest art mystery, painting once suggested as Caravaggio may be work of his pupils

Painting at center of Caravaggio mystery unveiled

ROME – It seemed too good to be true: The discovery of a new painting by Caravaggio during the celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of his death. It turns out, it probably was.
Scholars unveiling the painting Tuesday concurred that the “Martyrdom of St. Lawrence” did not look like a … Original article on : In latest art mystery, painting once suggested as Caravaggio may be work of his pupils.

Maximum illegal religious structures in Tamil Nadu

NEW DELHI – Tamil Nadu has the maximum number of 77,453 unauthorized religious structures on public land, the Supreme Court was Tuesday informed.

Tamil Nadu is followed by Rajasthan with 58,253 such structures and Madhya Pradesh with 51,624 unauthorized structures.
The court sought details from all states on the number of unauthorized religious structures in … Original article on : Maximum illegal religious structures in Tamil Nadu.

Interfaith Community Church Invites People for Shab-e-Barat

KOLKATA, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com) – Shab-e-Barat, a ’special night journey of Forgiveness’ dedicated for every human being will be held on this Saturday, 31 July, 6-10pm. All people are invited to join the Interfaith Community Church located at 1763 NW 62nd Street in Ballard.
Shab-i Barat will be an auspicious occasion observed with religious fervour and … Read : Interfaith Community Church Invites People for Shab-e-Barat.

Dhaka court restores ’secularism’ in constitution

DHAKA – Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has restored ’secularism’ as one of the basic tenets in the country’s 1972 constitution.

In a 186-page ruling announced Wednesday, the appellate division of the apex court said: “Preamble and the relevant provisions of the Constitution in respect of secularism, nationalism and socialism, as existed on August 15, 1975, …. Read the original article  : here.

Vedic conference to be held in Trinidad and Tobago

Port-of-SPAIN – Over 100 scholars from India and around the globe will participate in the World Association of Vedic Studies (WAVES) at the University of the West Indies early next month.

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar is likely to address the seminar to be held Aug 4-7.
Indian High Commissioner Malay Mishra told a press conference … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Vedic conference to be held in Trinidad and Tobago.

Pilgrims must pay to attend 2 big events in England during pope’s visit in September

Pilgrims must pay to attend 2 pope events in UK

LONDON – Pilgrims will have to pay as much as 25 pounds ($39) to attend one of the two public events in England to be led by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit in September, church officials said Wednesday.
The charges – believed to be a first …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Pilgrims must pay to attend 2 big events in England during pope’s visit in September.

APNewsBreak: Study finds Amish growing, moving west, scouting land in Alaska and Mexico

APNewsBreak: Study says Amish expanding westward

HARRISBURG, Pa. – The search by the booming North American population of Amish for affordable, fertile farmland has produced settlements in 28 states and Ontario – and has even led parties to scout recently for suitable properties in Alaska and Mexico.
A new study estimates the number of Amish has increased [..] Read the original article: here.

Catholics must pay to attend 2 big events in England during pope’s visit in September

Catholics must pay to attend 2 pope events in UK

LONDON – Catholics will have to pay as much as 25 pounds ($39) to attend one of the two public events in England to be led by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit in September, church officials said Wednesday.
The charges – believed to be a first …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Catholics must pay to attend 2 big events in England during pope’s visit in September.

German Muslim group: professional soccer players can break fast during Ramadan

German soccer gets ruling on Ramadan fasting

BERLIN – A Muslim group and German soccer authorities said Wednesday they have determined that professional Muslim players may break their fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
The announcement followed a dispute involving second-division club FSV Frankfurt, which last year gave a formal warning to three of its players …. Original source  : German Muslim group: professional soccer players can break fast during Ramadan.

FBI director defends bureau’s domestic surveillance guidelines, says no racial targeting

Mueller says no racial targeting with guidelines

WASHINGTON – FBI Director Robert Mueller told Congress on Wednesday that the bureau’s domestic surveillance guidelines are being used properly and that agents are not employing them to target people for investigation based on race.
The FBI director’s defense of the guidelines at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing followed criticism …. Original source  : FBI director defends bureau’s domestic surveillance guidelines, says no racial targeting.

Summoned by Akal Takht, Sarna brothers seek fresh date

AMRITSAR – Summoned by the Akal Takht, the Amritsar-based highest temporal seat of the Sikhs, to appear before it here Monday, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) president Paramjit Singh Sarna and his brother sought another date to appear.

After the Sarna brothers failed to appear Monday, the five Sikh high priests, led by Akal Takht …. Original article  : Summoned by Akal Takht, Sarna brothers seek fresh date.

Mexican fined for mentioning god during poll campaign

Mexico City, July 30 (IANS/EFE) A politician in Mexico has been fined over 27,000 pesos ($2,000) for referring to god in public during his election campaign for governor of a northwestern state, officials said.

Mario Lopez Valdez, governor-elect of Sinaloa state, was slapped with the fine by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, Mexico’s poll body.
“I will … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Mexican fined for mentioning god during poll campaign.

Novelist Anne Rice, who spurned Catholicism, then returned to it: ‘I quit Christianity’

Novelist Anne Rice says she’s leaving Christianity
NEW YORK – Anne Rice has had a religious conversion: She’s no longer a Christian.
“In the name of Christ, I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control,” the author wrote Wednesday on her Facebook page. “In the name … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Novelist Anne Rice, who spurned Catholicism, then returned to it: ‘I quit Christianity’.

Pa. family sues Catholic diocese after accuser in priest abuse case commits suicide

Pa. diocese sued after abuse accuser’s suicide

PITTSBURGH – The estate of an alleged clery abuse victim who committed suicide is suing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh because it stopped paying for his mental health treatments.
A copy of the lawsuit obtained by The Associated Press says 39-year-old Michael Unglo committed suicide in May in Massachusetts.
The … Original source on Gaea Times at : Pa. family sues Catholic diocese after accuser in priest abuse case commits suicide.

More than matzo balls: With locusts and deer, Jerusalem dinner shakes up the kosher kitchen

More than matzo balls: Kosher cooking revisited

JERUSALEM – The men behind a unique six-hour eating marathon in Jerusalem want diners to know two things about locusts: First, they taste great stir-fried, and second, they’re kosher.
When 240 observant Jews sat down to the 18-course dinner earlier this month, they were served a veritable zoo of animals …. Original article  : More than matzo balls: With locusts and deer, Jerusalem dinner shakes up the kosher kitchen.

APNewsBreak: Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh sued over alleged clergy abuse victim’s suicide

APNewsBreak: Pa. diocese sued in accuser’s suicide

PITTSBURGH – The estate of an alleged clery abuse victim who committed suicide is suing the Roman Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh because it stopped paying for his mental health treatments.
A copy of the lawsuit obtained by The Associated Press says 39-year-old Michael Unglo committed suicide in May in Massachusetts.
The …. Original article  : APNewsBreak: Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh sued over alleged clergy abuse victim’s suicide.

Sikhs protest harassment of youth in Kashmir

JAMMU – Members of the Sikh community staged demonstrations across the Jammu region Thursday to protest the harassment of a Sikh youth in the Kashmir Valley who allegedly had his hair cut forcibly.

Sikh leaders led protests in Digiana, Miran Sahib, R.S. Pura and other parts of Jammu, raising slogans against the state government for its …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Sikhs protest harassment of youth in Kashmir.

Saudi villagers prayed in wrong direction for 10 years

RIYADH – Worshippers at a mosque in a Saudi Arabian village near Mecca discovered they were praying for 10 years in the wrong direction, a newspaper in the country reported Thursday.

Muslims are meant to pray in the direction of the most sacred site in Islam, known as the Kaaba, a large granite structure in the …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Kerala poll panel asks for report on bishop council letter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Kerala’s state election commissioner has asked for a report on a letter by the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) asking people not to vote for independent candidates who are atheists in the upcoming local bodies poll.

State Election Commissioner (SEC) P. Kamalkutty has asked the Ernakulam district collector for a report on the KCBC …. Original source  : Kerala poll panel asks for report on bishop council letter.

Court restores `secularism’ in Bangladesh constitution

DHAKA – In a far-reaching move, Bangladesh’s Supreme Court has restored ’secularism’ in the country’s constitution. It has also denounced the declaration of martial law in the past and sought safeguards to end “extra-constitutional adventures”.

Responding to the ruling, Bangladesh’s top law officer, Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, said the country would, however, continue to be …. Source article  : Court restores `secularism’ in Bangladesh constitution.

US church to burn Quran on Sep 11

NEW YORK – A church in Florida, US, is reportedly planning to host an “International Burn a Quran Day” on the anniversary of the Sep 11, 2001, terror attack, a move that has been condemned by many Christians and Muslims.

The Dove World Outreach Centre in Gainesville, Florida, would host the event to remember 9/11 victims …. Read the original article  : US church to burn Quran on Sep 11.

Obama envoy to visit India to engage with Muslims

WASHINGTON – Rashad Hussain, son of an Indian migrant couple from Bihar who is US Special Envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, will travel to India Aug 1-9 to discuss Obama Administration’s initiatives on education, global health, entrepreneurship and countering violent extremism with Muslim leaders and academics.

Son of an Indian migrant couple … Original source on Gaea Times at : Obama envoy to visit India to engage with Muslims.

Anti-Defamation League comes out against proposed Islamic center, mosque near ground zero

Jewish group opposes ground zero mosque
NEW YORK – The nation’s leading Jewish civil rights group has come out against the planned mosque and Islamic community center near ground zero, saying more information is needed about funding for the project and the location is “counterproductive to the healing process.”
The Anti-Defamation League said …. Original source  : Anti-Defamation League comes out against proposed Islamic center, mosque near ground zero.

Kenya’s Christians and Muslims argue over inclusion of Islamic courts in draft constitution

Muslim court clause brings spotlight in Kenya vote

NAIROBI, Kenya – A draft constitution that Kenya votes on next week guarantees women the same rights as men – unless a judge in a Muslim family court decrees otherwise.
Critics, including some American evangelicals, complain that the document carves out too many exceptions for the country’s Muslim minority …. Source  : Kenya’s Christians and Muslims argue over inclusion of Islamic courts in draft constitution.

Radical Muslim group seeks Achuthanandan’s apology

NEW DELHI – Radical Islamic outfit, Popular Front of India (PFI) Friday asked Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan to apologise for his statement that the outfit is aiming to convert the state to a Muslim dominated one using “money and marriages”.

The outfit, whose activists have been accused of chopping off a hand of a college …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Radical Muslim group seeks Achuthanandan’s apology.

Mosque prayer leader wins Malaysia hit reality TV show’s search for young Muslim role model

Malaysia TV completes quest for Muslim role model

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia – An Islamic reality TV show that made its contestants counsel promiscuous teenagers and bury corpses has named a 26-year-old mosque prayer leader as Malaysia’s top role model for young Muslims.
Producers voiced hopes Sunday of launching similar versions of “Imam Muda,” or “Young Leader,” in …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Mosque prayer leader wins Malaysia hit reality TV show’s search for young Muslim role model.

Once bloody warriors, today tourist draw: Polish city trying to cash in on Teutonic knights

Poles hope deadly knights will now bring some good

KWIDZYN, Poland – They were medieval warriors who spread Catholicism by the sword and seized Polish lands with great cruelty. But that’s not stopping the Polish city of Kwidzyn from capitalizing on the aura surrounding the Teutonic Knights.
The city – dominated by a massive red brick fortress …. Read the original article  : here.

Germany holds memorial service for victims of Love Parade

Germany: memorial service for Love Parade victims

DUISBURG, Germany – Thousands of grief-stricken mourners watched in tears on Saturday as rescue workers lit one white candle for every one of the 21 people crushed to death in a tunnel at the Love Parade techno music festival.
Around 500 people attended the mourning ceremony at Salvator church in …. Read the original article  : Germany holds memorial service for victims of Love Parade.