Religion

New Delhi -- 3 August 2008 -- Up to 150 Hindu pilgrims attending an annual festival have been killed in a stampede in Northern India. Many of the victims are women and children.

Officials say the tragedy occurred when a metal railing along a narrow mountain path leading to Naina Devi temple in Himahcal Pradesh state collapsed under the weight of tens of thousands of devotees who had come to attend a religious festival on Sunday.

The temple is situated on a hilltop in the state's Bilaspur district.

Officials say the collapse of the railing triggered panic among pilgrims, and a stampede ensued as people tried to flee to safety. There are many women and children among the victims, who fell down and were trampled.    » read more »

June 25, 2008 -- MR. HEIN: Good afternoon. This is Jay Hein. Thank you for joining this call and for your interest in the conference. Tomorrow, Thursday, the 26th, and Friday, the 27th, the White House is convening over 1,000 policymakers and faith-based and community leaders, researchers and others who are interested in the initiative.

The purpose of this national conference is to survey the landscape of the changes that have been made and the progress that's been achieved since the President launched the Faith-Based and Community Initiative during the second week of his first administration.    » read more »

Rome -- June 2008 -- A unique musical about the life of the Virgin Mary will premiere at the Vatican Tuesday evening. Mary of Nazareth - An Ongoing Story is the first musical to be made of the life of Mary. It traces the battle between good and evil, God and the devil, in Mary's life.

Mary of Nazareth - An Ongoing Story is an Italian production sponsored by the Vatican's Pontifical Council for Social Communications.

The story chronicles Mary's life - from her Jewish childhood, the Annunciation, her marriage to Joseph, the birth of Jesus and her Assumption*. It traces the battle between good and evil - God and the devil - in Mary's life as she grows up.    » read more »

Two anti-evolution bills pending in the Louisiana Legislature would "unleash an assault against scientific integrity, leaving students confused about science and unprepared to excel in a modern workforce," AAAS CEO Alan I. Leshner wrote in a letter to the New Orleans Times-Picayune

A home in the Louisiana bayou: Photo by Brit (CC)

The letter, published Tuesday 6 May, warns that Louisiana is already facing considerable economic and education challenges, with employers are struggling to fill science and tech jobs and 53% of state eighth-graders scoring below basic competence on the most recent national science tests.    » read more »

April 18, 2008 -- As John McCain attends the National Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington today, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean called on the Republican nominee to denounce insulting comments made by one of his campaign surrogates, Rep. Tom Tancredo.

Tancredo issued a press release yesterday attacking the "Pope's comments regarding U.S. immigration policy" and accusing his position of stemming from an interest in "recruiting new members."

Tom Tancredo: Photo by VictoryNH: Protect Our Primary (CC)

Dean issued the following statement:    » read more »

April 20, 2008 -- JFK Airport -- New York, New York -- DICK CHENEY: Your Holiness, President and Senator Clinton, Your Eminences Cardinal Bertoni and Cardinal Egan, Your Excellency Bishop DiMarzio, clergy and religious, distinguished guests, and ladies and gentlemen, good evening.

Anti-Cheney bumper sticker: Photo by futureatlas (CC)

It's a privilege to join all of you as our esteemed visitor, the Holy Father, concludes his visit to the United States. It has been a memorable week, and Pope Benedict XVI has stepped into the history of our country in a very special way.    » read more »

April 16, 2008 -- PRESIDENT BUSH: Holy Father, Laura and I are privileged to have you here at the White House. We welcome you with the ancient words commended by Saint Augustine: "Pax Tecum." Peace be with you.

You've chosen to visit America on your birthday.

Pope Benedict XVI and George W. Bush behind shrub: White House photo by Chris Greenberg

Well, birthdays are traditionally spent with close friends, so our entire nation is moved and honored that you've decided to share this special day with us. We wish you much health and happiness -- today and for many years to come.    » read more »