Tweeting Dalai Lama says voices for Tibetan independence growing stronger

DHARAMSALA – With over 600,000 people, including hundreds of Chinese, following him on networking site Twitter, the Dalai Lama has said the non-resolution of the Tibet issue is making the voices of those seeking independence of Tibet from China grow stronger.

Answering questions from his Chinese followers on Twitter, which he joined last month, the Dalai …. Read the original article  : here.

Turkey: Orthodox Christians gather for rare Mass at ancient site after government approval

Turkey: patriarch holds historic Mass
MACKA, Turkey – Orthodox Christians are holding a rare Mass at an ancient monastery in Turkey after the government allowed worship there once a year in a gradual loosening of restrictions on religious expression.

Sunday’s service at the Byzantine-era monastery of Sumela near the Black Sea is being led by Patriarch Bartholomew …. Source article  : Turkey: Orthodox Christians gather for rare Mass at ancient site after government approval.

Government will maintain communal peace: PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday said his government would always maintain communal peace and harmony and protect the minorities.

“Our government is committed to maintain communal peace and harmony. We also consider it our duty to protect the minorities and provide for their special needs,” Singh said while addressing the nation from the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Government will maintain communal peace: PM.

Obama: I support ‘the right’ for ground zero mosque, not commenting on ‘the wisdom’ of it

Obama supports ‘the right’ for ground zero mosque
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – Weighing his words carefully on a fiery political issue, President Barack Obama said Saturday that Muslims have the right to build a mosque near New York’s ground zero, but he did not say whether … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Obama: I support ‘the right’ for ground zero mosque, not commenting on ‘the wisdom’ of it.

Decades of conflict fuel depression, drugs in Kashmir; 1 man tries to kill himself 13 times

Amid conflict, Kashmir man tries suicide 13 times

SRINAGAR, India – The wounds of Kashmir’s never-ending war are reflected in Arshid Malik’s red, downcast eyes, in the tremble of the cigarette in his hand, in the self-inflicted knife scars gouged into his left forearm.
Tormented by unrelenting memories of death and violence, he tried 13 times to …. Source  : Decades of conflict fuel depression, drugs in Kashmir; 1 man tries to kill himself 13 times.

Obama backs mosque near ground zero in New York, calls religious freedom a fundamental value

Obama makes clear support for ground zero mosque

WASHINGTON – After skirting the issue for weeks, President Barack Obama is making it clear he supports the construction of a mosque near ground zero in New York City.
Obama says religious freedom was one of the nation’s founding principles.
The president held a White House dinner Friday in celebration …. Source article  : Obama backs mosque near ground zero in New York, calls religious freedom a fundamental value.

India leads China in fundamental values: Dalai Lama

MCLEOD GANJ – China might be more economically advanced than India but lacks in fundamental values like freedom, transparency and rule of law, much required for political growth, exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama says. He is also in “no hurry” to name his successor as he hopes to “live for several decades more”

Acknowledging …. Source article  : India leads China in fundamental values: Dalai Lama.

Obama defends mosque plans near ground zero at dinner celebrating Islamic holy days

Obama’s comments on mosque plans near ground zero
Remarks by President Barack Obama on the plans to build a mosque near ground zero, as provided by the White House:
Here at the White House, we have a tradition of hosting iftars that goes back several years, just as we host Christmas parties and … Read more >>>.

At Islam dinner Obama backs Mosque near ground zero, wading into national controversy

Obama backs mosque near ground zero
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Friday forcefully endorsed allowing a mosque near ground zero, saying the country’s founding principles demanded no less.
“As a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else …. Source  : At Islam dinner Obama backs Mosque near ground zero, wading into national controversy.

APNewsBreak: NY Conservatives plan TV ad to pressure building co-owner to block NYC mosque

APNewsBreak: Anti-ground zero mosque TV ad planned
ALBANY, N.Y. – New York’s Conservative Party is planning a television ad campaign to pressure a New York City utility to use its power to block a proposed mosque near ground zero that the ad says is planned by an “un-American” Muslim leader.
The ad states “patriotic Americans” …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Diocese bankruptcy judge in Delaware approves start of parish sex abuse trials

Del. diocese bankruptcy judge OKs victim trials

WILMINGTON, Del. – The judge in the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington’s bankruptcy case has ruled that lawsuits against several of it parishes by alleged victims of priest sex abuse can go to trial later this year.
Judge Christopher Sontchi on Friday denied the diocese’s request to extend a stay in …. Original article  : Diocese bankruptcy judge in Delaware approves start of parish sex abuse trials.

With New York mosque controversy rolling on, Obama to hail religious freedom at Islam dinner

Obama to back religious freedom at Islam dinner
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama on Friday will speak up for religious freedom at a dinner celebrating the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, emphasizing that point just as New York City is immersed in a deeply sensitive debate about whether a mosque should be built …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : With New York mosque controversy rolling on, Obama to hail religious freedom at Islam dinner.

Saudi king to allow only official fatwas

RIYADH – Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah has moved to block any issuance of public fatwas, or religious edicts, by clerics not officially appointed, a newspaper reported Friday.

“We have noted many violations that we cannot allow, thus it is our religious obligation to confront it firmly to protect religion, preserve unity and to prevent evil,” the … Original article on : Saudi king to allow only official fatwas.

Lebanon’s Shiite TV stations cancel controversial show on Jesus amid outcry from Christians

Lebanon TV stations scrap controversial Jesus show

BEIRUT – Two Shiite Muslim television stations in Lebanon canceled a controversial program about Jesus on Friday, saying they do not want to stir up sectarian conflict in the country.
The 17-episode program, which was produced in Iran, describes Jesus from an Islamic point of view. Muslims believe Jesus was …. Original article  : Lebanon’s Shiite TV stations cancel controversial show on Jesus amid outcry from Christians.

Ram Mandir fight to go online

PANAJI – The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) has gone into an overdrive — including going online — to motivate journalists, oriented towards Hindutva and working in regional media, to write more emphatically about the Ram janmabhoomi issue, in the run up to the Allahabad High Court verdict on the contentious Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid issue.

A … Original source on Gaea Times at : Ram Mandir fight to go online.

TV series on Jesus banned in Lebanon after Christian anger

BEIRUT – The final episode of an Iranian television series called “The Messiah” was banned Friday in Lebanon, after a complaint from Catholics.

The series, based on the Koran’s version of the story of Jesus, had been shown daily on two channels loyal to the Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah since Tuesday, the first day of the …. Read the original article  : here.

UAE releases 300 prisoners

ABU DHABI – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has released over 300 prisoners of various nationalities to mark the advent of the holy month of Ramadan.

Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, the ruler of Sharjah, has ordered the release of 231 prisoners who have served half their terms.
Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, the … Original source on Gaea Times at : UAE releases 300 prisoners.

Obama to sign $600 million border security measure, host dinner celebrating Ramadan on Friday

Obama to sign $600 million border security bill
WASHINGTON – President Barack Obama is signing a bill Friday to put more agents and equipment along the Mexican border.
The Senate passed the $600 million measure during a special session Thursday.
The border security measure would fund the hiring of 1,000 new Border Patrol agents, plus 250 … Read : Obama to sign $600 million border security measure, host dinner celebrating Ramadan on Friday.

Thousands protest in Indian Kashmir after government forces kill 2

Thousands protest after police kill 2 in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, India – Thousands of angry protesters rushed into the streets in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Friday after government forces killed two people and injured at least eight others for defying a curfew in the disputed region, police said.
The violence was the latest in two-month stretch of civil unrest … Read : Thousands protest in Indian Kashmir after government forces kill 2.