Dozens speak out against planned mosque near ground zero at NYC hearing on landmark status

Opponents pack hearing on mosque near ground zero

French National Assembly approves ban on burqa

PARIS - The lower house of the French parliament, the National Assembly, Tuesday passed a bill banning the wearing of the Islamic all-body veil, or burqa, in all public places.

Rath Yatra celebrated with fervour in Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD - The annual chariot festival of the Hindu god Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra was celebrated with gaiety and religious fervour here Tuesday with Chief Minister Narendra Modi joining in the festivities.

7 Cuban dissidents freed and sent to Spain, first of 52 political prisoners to be freed

7 Cuban dissidents find freedom in Spain

MADRID — Seven former political prisoners from Cuba smiled and gave victory signs Tuesday after they and their families were flown to freedom in Madrid, the first of 52 dissidents the Cuban government has promised to free in a historic policy shift.

French ban on Islamic face veils passes lower house of parliament, despite quiet concerns

French parliament approves ban on face veils

7 Cuban political prisoners arrive in Madrid, first of 52 such prisoners to be freed

7 Cuban political prisoners arrive in Spain

Thousands pull chariots in Kolkata rath yatra

KOLKATA - Thousands of devotees and foreign tourists chanting “Hare Krishna” Tuesday pulled the chariots of Lord Jagannath, Balaram and Subhadra during the annual Ratha Yatra (chariot festival) here.

82 police injured in Northern Ireland’s 2 nights of Catholic riots; politicians plead for calm

82 police injured in Belfast’s 2 nights of riots

French ban on Islamic face veils set to pass lower house of parliament, despite quiet concerns

French parliament set to approve ban on face veils

Belfast faces big cleanup after 2 nights of riots; 55 police officers hurt in clashes

Belfast faces big cleanup after 2 nights of riots

CAPITAL CULTURE: DC confidential _ faith leaders act as trusted advisers, friends to lawmakers

President Barack Obama speaks briefly on Afghanistan

Rath Yatra 2010 In Ahmedabad

Rath Yatra 2010 Starts In Puri

Modi flags off Jagannath yatra in Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD - The annual chariot festival of the Hindu god Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra started here Tuesday morning with Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi flagging off the daylong procession amid the chanting of hymns.

Lakhs converge in Puri for Jagannath Rath Yatra

PURI - Lakhs of devotees and tourists thronged this temple town Tuesday for the annual Rath Yatra (chariot festival) of the Hindu god Jagannath, his brother Balabhadra and sister Subhadra.