Mother Teresa’s birth centenary celebrations begin

KOLKATA - The official birth centenary celebrations of Mother Teresa began here Monday even as a clergyman said the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s elevation to sainthood may take some more time.

Sikhs in Kashmir Valley feel unsafe: Community leaders

JAMMU - Rubbishing claims of the Jammu and Kashmir government that Sikhs in the valley had nothing to fear, several leaders of the community Monday said that they were facing “acute harassment at the hands of miscreants” in the valley.

Saibaba’s sandals will not be taken to Britain

SHIRDI - Following strong criticism by locals, the Shri Saibaba Sansthan Trust (SSST) of Shirdi Monday cancelled plans to take Saibaba’s sandals to Britain next month, an official said here Monday.

Stray cats strut Istanbul’s streets, a symbol of tradition in a churning metropolis

Cat culture thrives in Istanbul

ISTANBUL — When President Obama visited Turkey last year, he paused to stroke a tabby cat at the former Byzantine church of Haghia Sophia while Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan looked on with a smile. The cat, one of half a dozen living at the ancient site, seemed unfazed by the VIP attention.

Burqa can’t be forced on women, rules Bangladesh court

DHAKA - A court in Bangladesh, an Islamic Republic, has directed the government to ensure that no woman is forced to wear burqa or religious attires in the educational institutions and offices across the country.