CALIFORNIA
Pledge of Allegiance ‘Unconstitutional’
ABCNews.com
A federal appeals court today ruled the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional because of the words "under God," which were added by Congress in 1954.
Also:
Pledge Plaintiff Just Sought Boundries
The Associated Press
"ELK GROVE - An atheist says he was trying only to draw a line between church and state not provoke a national furor when he went to court to challenge the Pledge of Allegiance."
Also:
Bush Criticizes Ruling on Pledge
President Bush on Thursday called a federal appeals court ruling that challenged the constitutionality of the Pledge of Allegiance "out of step with the traditions and history of America" and promised to appoint judges who affirm God's role in the public square.
Senate Reaffirms 'Under God' Phrase
On the day after a controversial appeals court decision that said the Pledge of Allegiance is unconstitutional, U-S senators turned out in large numbers to recite the pledge this morning -- complete with the words "under God." The Senate chaplain, Dr. Lloyd Ogilvie, began the session by saying while there may be a separation of church and state, there is "no separation between God and state."
Audio: Pledge Ruling Prompts Fierce Washington Response, National Public Radio (NPR)
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Manson cult member up for parole
Turned down for parole 13 times
The Associated Press
"LOS ANGELES -- Of all the members of Charles Manson's murderous "family," Leslie Van Houten was always seen as the different one -- the youngest, the one most vulnerable to Manson's diabolical control."

Christian Parents Sue After Students 'Become Muslims'
CNSNews.com
A public school in Byron, Calif. is being sued after forcing Christian students to pretend they were Muslims for three weeks. As part of an Islam simulation" project, students prayed in the name of Allah, chose a Muslim name, and played a "jihad" dice game, according to the group that filed the lawsuit."

FLORIDA
Miss Cleo Avoids Birthplace Questions
The Associated Press
"FORT LAUDERDALE -- Television psychic Miss Cleo repeatedly invoked her Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination Wednesday, refusing to discuss a birth certificate showing she was born in Los Angeles to American parents."
COURT TV's Full Coverage of Miss Cleo or COURT TV's Miss Cleo Special Report, including legal documents and script which "psychics" read to callers.

MASSACHUSETTS
SJC upholds sect verdict
The Sun Chronicle
"ATTLEBORO -- The state's highest court has upheld an Attleboro Juvenile Court judge's rulings regarding a local religious sect couple whose battle over their latest child resulted in them going to jail for four months."

WASHINGTON, D.C.
Pledge has a long history
Original version of 1892 has seen some changes
Cox News Service
WASHINGTON -- Francis Bellamy, a Baptist minister with socialist leanings, wrote the original version of the Pledge of Allegiance in 1892 for a popular family magazine.

FEATURE
The Bible and the Apocalypse
The biggest book of the summer is about the end of the world. It's also a sign of our troubled times
TIME
"What do you watch for, when you are watching the news? Signs that interest rates might be climbing, maybe it's time to refinance. Signs of global warming, maybe forget that new SUV. Signs of new terrorist activity, maybe think twice about that flight to Chicago."

JAPAN
Cult grip: Niimi remains loyal to the Aum founder
The Asahi Shimbun
"I was convinced that I had no choice but to follow (Matsumoto) for the rest of my life.'' Tomomitsu Niimi Aum Shinrikyo member and convicted killer.
Death Sentence Handed for Tokyo Subway Nerve Gas Attack, Reuters News Video
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NEPAL
Animal sacrifice controversy involving Nepal monarch deepens
rediff.com
"The controversy surrounding the proposed animal sacrifice to be made by Nepal's monarch, King Gyanendra, during his visit on Wednesday to the Kamakhya temple in Guwahati, gathered steam with the People for Animals group deciding to stage a demonstration against it."

PHILIPPINES
Cult leader Ecleo gets own cell, rejects visitors
Inquirer News Service
CEBU CITY -- For the first time since his incarceration, cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr. refused to entertain visitors Thursday, even as hundreds of his followers braved the rains to catch a glimpse of their "supreme master."

‘Too many cults, witches driving away tourists’
The Philippine Star
"A tourism official said yesterday the government should address the proliferation of cults and the culture of witchcraft which she claimed discourages tourists from coming to the country."

UGANDA
45 Held Over Mob Violence, suspects allege witchcraft killed friend
New Vision
KAMPALA -- The Police in Kamuli have arrested 45 people in connection with violence and causing malicious damage in the district. They allegedly demolished three houses and slashed down two hectares of a cassava garden.

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