Amarnath pilgrimage to start July 1

JAMMU - The annual Amarnath pilgrimage to a cave shrine devoted to Hindu God Shiva, located in south Kashmir, will start July 1 and last till Aug 24 this year, according to an official of the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.

‘Going to a good astrologer is like going to a doctor’

NEW DELHI - Consider it a pastime or an infallible guide to the future, you can’t ignore astrology, which some Indians consider a science. Some place equal emphasis on visits to an astrologer and a doctor and consult the stars before taking any important decision.

Scandal in Italy’s Catholic Church leads to papal involvement, public denial of Vatican leaks

Italian Catholic scandal draws in Pope Benedict

Vatican intrigue: Holy See denies leaking documents leading to resignation of Catholic editor

Vatican intrigue hits new level with leak denial

Muslims welcome 10 percent job quota in West Bengal

NEW DELHI - The 10 percent quota in government jobs for backward Muslims in West Bengal is being welcomed by leaders of the community who say it’s not really enough but add that something is better than nothing.

Islamic clerics fume at ‘Abdullah’s anti-burqa’ views

LUCKNOW - Leading Islamic clerics have taken strong exception to union minister Farooq Abdullah’s reported views against Muslim women wearing the burqa.

Last Nepal king breaks ancient taboo

KATHMANDU - Almost two years after he was stripped of his crown and became a commoner, Nepal’s deposed king Gyanendra himself has broken a centuries-old taboo.