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India is tapping the potential of its rich Buddhist heritage by wooing more tourists from East and South East Asian countries. Buddhism originated in India but went on to gain more popularity in other Asian countries.

The Holy Father presided over the rite of blessing and imposition of ashes. Traditionally, the celebration is held in the Roman Basilica of Santa Sabina but, given the large influx of persons and the desire of the cardinals and bishops of the Roman Curia to accompany the Pope in the final acts of his pontificate, it was moved to St. Peter's Basilica. Before the ceremony, Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone, S.D.B., address a brief greeting to the pontiff, expressing the "emotion and respect not only of the Church, but of the entire world" for Benedict XVI on the news of his decision to renounce the Petrine ministry. Following are ample excerpts from the Holy Father's homily.

If similar political views bring people together on the campaign trail, why not in romance as well?

The door of the Sidi Yahia Mosque, before and after the attack

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Dunja Mijatović (l), in discussion with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu, at a meeting in Ankara Palace, 15 December 2011.

The Producers Branch Executive Committee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has determined the individual nominees for “Amour” in the Best Picture category for the Oscars. They are producers Margaret Menegoz, Stefan Arndt, Veit Heiduschka and Michael Katz.

Genocide, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia, the responsibility to protect, the conflict in Syria and the courage to do what is right were among the topics highlighted in United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's remarks today at an event held in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.