Naga sadhus at Mahakumbh pray for a cause

HARIDWAR - They live in their mountain retreats in the icy reaches of the Himalayas, practising extreme austerities. But many ash-smeared Naga sadhus who have come down here for the Mahakumbh Mela say they are rather concerned about terrorism and environmental pollution.

Pope, recalling days right after World War II, say end of Nazi rule in Germany made him happy

Pope: End of Nazism made me happy

VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI says the end of Nazi rule in his homeland of Germany made him happy and allowed him to resume studies for the priesthood.

Supporters and foes of Hawaii civil unions bill gear up for quick legislative vote

Civil unions may get quick vote at Hawaii Capitol

Dalai Lama returns to Dharamsala

DHARAMSALA - Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama Saturday returned to this Himachal Pradesh hill town after completing a fortnight-long visit across the country.

Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood selects new leader from conservative faction

Egypt’s Brotherhood group selects new leader

Inflation’s toll at Mahakumbh - few buyers for handicrafts

HARIDWAR - The banks of the holy Ganga here are teeming with hundreds of thousands of pilgrims for the Mahakumbh Mela, but very few among them are interested in buying any of Haridwar’s brassware, silverware, woollen clothes or textiles. The shrinking money market appears to have tightened the wallets of the devout.