Devotees offer special prayer at Catholic church in Ujjain to save people from new sub-variant of COVID

How Religions Around the World View Solar Eclipses

How Religions , Around the World , View Solar Eclipses. With the upcoming April 8 total solar eclipse quickly approaching, Fox News offered readers an overview of how religions traditionally view eclipses. Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism suggests that the karmic results of positive and negative actions are magnified during major astronomical events, including solar eclipses. Christianity, Christian tradition connects eclipses with a number of significant events, including the death of Jesus and the "end times.". Hinduism, In Hinduism, eclipses both solar and lunar are generally regarded as bad omens. Islam, Muslims see a solar eclipse as a time for prayer and contemplating God. The sun and the moon are two signs amongst the signs of Allah and they do not eclipse because of the death of someone... Whenever you see these eclipses pray and invoke (Allah), Kaiser Aslam, Muslim chaplain at the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University, via Fox News. Judaism, Similarly to Hinduism, Judaism views eclipses as "an ill omen for the world.". Eclipses should be opportunities to increase in prayer and introspection — as opposed to prompting joyous blessings. It is a sign that we really could and should be doing better, Rabbi Menachem Posner, via Fox News. Fox News reports that Rabbi Mordechai Becher cited Judaism's longstanding connections with astronomy and the heavenly message eclipses deliver. He created a system that would remind us regularly that our choices can create darkness, even at times when there should be light. Our free will choices can create a barrier between us and the Divine light, but can also allow Divine light to be seen here, Rabbi Mordechai Becher, via Fox News

Watch: Czech town's historic passion play draws hundreds in spectacular Easter display

In the lead-up to Easter Sunday, the town of Zdar nad Sazavou in the Czech Republic hosted its annual passion play, depicting the final days of the life of Jesus Christ.

5 Easter Traditions From Around the World

5 Easter Traditions , From Around the World. Every culture has its own unique holiday traditions rooted in that region's folklore and history. Here are five popular Easter traditions from different locations around the world. 1. Florence, Italy. The firework-packed cart is paraded through the city and set off by the Archbishop during Easter mass. 2. Sweden and Finland. It is common for children to dress up as witches and beg for chocolate in the streets. 3. Corfu, Greece. The tradition welcomes spring by disposing of old pots so new ones can be used to gather the season's crops. 4. Bessières, France. The tradition is said to have begun when Napoleon passed through the town and ordered the townspeople to make a giant Omelette for his army. 5. Jerusalem, Israel. Some who participate in the walk carry a large cross to symbolize Jesus’ painful journey

This Day in History: Pope John Paul II Is Shot

This Day in History: , Pope John Paul II Is Shot. May 13, 1981. Mehmet Ali Agca shot Pope John Paul several times in St. Peter's Square in Vatican City. Agca was a Turkish terrorist and fugitive wanted for the murder of a journalist. The Pontiff was rushed to the hospital and survived the attack, asking for Catholics to pray for the would-be assassin. In a trial considered extraordinary because of its short length, Agca was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. In 1983, Pope John Paul visited Agca in prison and publicly forgave him for the shooting. In 2000, the Pope requested a pardon for Agca, which was granted. Agca was released from prison. 14 years later, Argca returned to Rome to lay white roses on John Paul's tomb

Poland's parliament votes to progress toward easing abortion restrictions

Ewa Schaedler from the Third Way party called the vote ''symbolic'' and ''a breakthrough'' for Polish women. However the subject remains divisive in the mostly Catholic country.

WATCH: Catholics in Ecuador, Venezuela and Chile take part in Good Friday processions

Catholics in Ecuador took part in the Good Friday procession in central Quito, some of them wearing the traditional purple hoods known locally as "cucuruchos."

How the EU is plotting a course out of COVID debt to greener future

The next EU Commission will have to cope with a legacy of debt accummulated out of necessity by its predecessor in response to the Covid crisis and the Ukraine War. Instruments are in place to both control debt and invest in the future, but challenging times lie ahead.

From crisis to cooperation: how the EU handled the troubled 2019-2024 era

The current EU Parliament and Commission had just begun the work of their five-year agenda when it was derailed by Covid-19 and then the Ukraine war. As the institutions' mandate enters a final phase, Real Economy gets the views of key players in Brussels on one of the EU's most difficult chapters.

O'Neill apologises for attending funeral during Covid

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill has apologised for the hurt that was caused by her attendance at the funeral of republican Bobby Storey during the Covid-19 pandemic. "I know that my actions also angered the families and for that I'm truly sorry,” she told the Covid-19 Inquiry. Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn

Happy Birthday, Mariah Carey!

Happy Birthday, Mariah Carey!. Mariah Carey turns 55 years old today. Here are five fun facts about the singer. 1. She was named after the song, “They Call The Wind Maria.”. 2. The World Music Awards  honored her as the world's best-selling recording artist of the 1990s. 3. She won two Grammys following her debut album. 4. Carey is known for her five-note octave and whistle register. 5. Her holiday album, ‘Merry Christmas,’ is one of the best-selling Christmas albums of all time. Happy Birthday, Mariah Carey!