Garlands of harmony from Ayodhya’s Muslim flower artisans

AYODHYA – Muslim artisans here continue to make floral decorations for Hindu devotees, weaving bonds of communal harmony at a time when all eyes are on this ancient town ahead of a much-awaited court verdict Friday on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suit contested by Hindu and Muslim groups.

Around 15 Muslim families in the Asharfi …. Source article  : Garlands of harmony from Ayodhya’s Muslim flower artisans.

Dalai Lama praises Solidarity in Poland

WARSAW – Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama praised the Polish labour union Solidarity Wednesday in Wroclaw, western Poland, saying he felt a special bond with the movement which battled communism in the 1980s.

The Dalai Lama spoke to a crowd of some 6,000 people at Wroclaw’s Centennial Hall during a two-day visit that followed the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Dalai Lama praises Solidarity in Poland.

Third lawsuit filed claiming pastor of Atlanta-area megachurch coerced sex from young men

Third lawsuit filed against pastor of megachurch

ATLANTA – Attorneys representing two men who say a prominent pastor of a 25,000-member megachurch near Atlanta coerced them into a sexual relationship have filed a third lawsuit on behalf of another young male member of his church.
Attorney B.J. Bernstein said Wednesday the allegations in the lawsuit are similar …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Third lawsuit filed claiming pastor of Atlanta-area megachurch coerced sex from young men.

Episcopal Church asks Pennsylvania bishop to step down over allegations he covered up abuse

Episcopal Church asks Pa. bishop to step down

PHILADELPHIA – Episcopal Church leaders have asked for the resignation of a Pennsylvania bishop accused of covering up sexual abuse by his brother more than 30 years ago.
The House of Bishops of The Episcopal Church said in a resolution late Tuesday, issued after a meeting in Arizona, that … Original article on : Episcopal Church asks Pennsylvania bishop to step down over allegations he covered up abuse.

Ganesh procession passes off peacefully in Hyderabad (Night Lead)

HYDERABAD – The mammoth Ganesh procession passed off peacefully here Wednesday amid unprecedented security.

The main procession, comprising hundreds of big idols, passed through the communally sensitive Old City ahead of the immersion of idols in Hussain Sagar Lake.
Officials said over 1,000 idols were immersed in the lake since early morning and the process was … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Ganesh procession passes off peacefully in Hyderabad (Night Lead).

India braces for court verdict in 60-year-old case of mosque-temple dispute

India braces for ruling on contested holy site

AYODHYA, India – From a distance – and few are allowed to get close – the simple white tent housing the modest idol appears no more threatening than any of the thousands of other Hindu shrines in a town renowned for its temples.
But that makeshift temple, and the … Read this article on Gaea Times at : India braces for court verdict in 60-year-old case of mosque-temple dispute.

Hearing on plea for delaying Ayodhya verdict put off (Third Lead)

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Wednesday deferred the hearing on a petition seeking to restrain the Allahabad High Court from pronouncing its verdict Sep 24 on a title suit linked to the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute in Ayodhya. The matter may come up in court Thursday.

An apex court bench of Justice Altamas Kabir and …. Source article  : Hearing on plea for delaying Ayodhya verdict put off (Third Lead).

Bulk SMS services banned ahead of Ayodhya verdict

NEW DELHI – As a precaution to curb rumours related to the Ayodhya verdict Friday, the central government has banned bulk SMS and MMS services till Sep 25 evening, an official said Wednesday.
…. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Bulk SMS services banned ahead of Ayodhya verdict.

After 6 months, health care law not a winner for nervous Dems, White House giving it a boost

Obama, White House boosting health law at 6 months

FALLS CHURCH, Va. – President Barack Obama is touting benefits taking effect this week under the health care law he signed six months ago, including provisions allowing young adults to stay on their family’s health plans until they turn 26.
Polling shows the law remains unpopular with much … Read more »».

Ayodhya verdict: Jammu and Kashmir takes steps to stem trouble

JAMMU – Fearing that there may be trouble in the communally sensitive Jammu region, the authorities in Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday asked the police and paramilitary forces to step up vigil ahead of the Ayodhya verdict Friday.

Chief Secretary S.S. Kapoor and Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda held a meeting here with senior police officers, …. Source article  : Ayodhya verdict: Jammu and Kashmir takes steps to stem trouble.

Supreme Court defers hearing on Ayodhya plea

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Wednesday deferred the hearing on a petition seeking to restrain the Allahabad High Court from pronouncing its verdict Sep 24 on a title suit linked to Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute in Ayodhya.

An apex court bench of Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice A.K. Patnaik said that it was not in …. Source article  : Supreme Court defers hearing on Ayodhya plea.

Visitors shy away from fortress Ayodhya

AYODHYA – The flow of visitors to this historic town in Uttar Pradesh is fast receding as security is heightened ahead of the court verdict Friday in the Ramjanmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute, posing problems for daily wage earners who depend on tourists.

The otherwise crowded banks of the Ghaghara river that flows through Ayodhya, where each day … Original source on Gaea Times at : Visitors shy away from fortress Ayodhya.

Apex court defers hearing on plea for delaying Ayodhya verdict (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI – The Supreme Court Wednesday deferred the hearing on a petition seeking to restrain the Allahabad High Court from pronouncing its verdict Sep 24 on a title suit linked to Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute in Ayodhya. The matter may come up in court Thursday.

An apex court bench of Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice … Original source on Gaea Times at : Apex court defers hearing on plea for delaying Ayodhya verdict (Second Lead).

AP Exclusive: Palestinian leader hints at compromise on settlement standoff with Israel

AP Exclusive: Palestinian hints at settlement deal

JERUSALEM – The Palestinian president has left the door open to continuing peace negotiations with Israel even if it resumes settlement construction in the West Bank, offering a glimmer of hope that a compromise will be reached in a key dispute that has threatened to torpedo the newly relaunched …. Original source  : AP Exclusive: Palestinian leader hints at compromise on settlement standoff with Israel.

Inter-faith summit to remove HIV-related myths

NEW DELHI – In a bid to eliminate stigma and discrimination related to HIV and AIDS, religious heads from across the country will take part in a summit, ‘Faith in Action’, to spread awareness and bust myths about the disease.

The summit, slated for Sep 27-28 in Bangalore, aims at providing a platform for interaction and …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Inter-faith summit to remove HIV-related myths.

Ayodhya crosses its fingers before court verdict

AYODHYA – With just two days to go for the long awaited verdict on the Babri Masjid-Ramjanmabhoomi dispute, a strange quiet has descended over this town with old timers hoping this is not the proverbial lull before a communal storm.

The dispute that dates back to the 19th century is scheduled to come to some … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Ayodhya crosses its fingers before court verdict.

Ganesh procession in Hyderabad progressing peacefully

HYDERABAD – The mammoth Ganesh procession was progressing smoothly through the city Wednesday amid unprecedented security, with the army on stand-by to tackle any emergency, officials said.

Thousands of idols from all parts of state capital Hyderabad and its outskirts headed towards Hussain Sagar Lake in the heart of the city. More than a million … Read : Ganesh procession in Hyderabad progressing peacefully.

Apex court bench declines to hear Ayodhya plea

NEW DELHI – A Supreme Court bench Wednesday declined to hear a petition seeking to restrain the Allahabad High Court from pronouncing its verdict Sep 24 on a title suit related to the Ramjanambhoomi-Babri Masjid disputed structure at Ayodhya.

A bench of Justice Altamas Kabir and Justice A.K. Patnaik said that it had no jurisdiction … Read more >>>.

Anant Chaturdashi Celebrated In Mumbai

MUMBAI, INDIA (GaeaTimes.com)- The people of Maharashtra are bidding adieu to Lord Ganesha on the auspicious occasion of Anant Chaturthi. The residents of the financial capital of India are saying goodbye to their favorite deity with sweets, fruits and flowers. This year the residents and organizers of Ganesh Chaturthi have made sure that the …. Original source  : Anant Chaturdashi Celebrated In Mumbai.

Southern California winemakers fear new churches will trample vineyard views, crush business

SoCal winemakers want to block church expansion

TEMECULA, Calif. – After the Mediterranean climate and sandy soil, winemaker Ray Falkner said his greatest asset is the view of rolling vine-covered hills from the top of his property in Southern California.
Confident the Temecula Valley wine-grape region’s strict zoning limits would protect that view, he built a multimillion …. Original source  : Southern California winemakers fear new churches will trample vineyard views, crush business.