Rome, Nov 24 (IANS/AKI) A book consisting of the first series of exclusive interviews ever granted to a reporter by a pope was presented Tuesday at the Vatican.

VATICAN CITY - Remarks on the possible use of condoms to combat HIV/AIDS made by Pope Benedict XVI in a new book should not be taken out of context - and do not represent a change in Catholic teaching against contraception - a top Vatican official cautioned Tuesday.

PUTTAPARTHI - Thousands of devotees attended the 85th birthday celebrations of spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba in this pilgrim town of Anantapur district Tuesday.

NEW DELHI - The Dalai Lama Tuesday hailed Islam as one of the great religions of the world, saying true jihad was about fighting "negative emotions" within oneself.