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News for: June 29, 2002
Alleged child abuse victim sues Nuwaubian leader
The Associated Press
ATHENS, Georgia -- An alleged victim of child abuse by the jailed leader of the United Nuwaubian Nation of Moors has filed a $1 billion federal lawsuit against him. The suit claims Dwight York, 57, repeatedly performed sexual acts with the girl from the time she was 11 until she left the Nuwaubians' Putnam County compound when she was 14. She is now 17 and living in Orlando, Fla., with her father.
CALIFORNIA
Ex-Manson Disciple Denied Parole
The Associated Press
"FRONTERA -- A parole board refused Friday to grant freedom to former Manson disciple Leslie Van Houten after a lengthy and emotional hearing at which she said she would always bear the sorrow of the cult killings that landed her in prison 33 years ago."
Why Not to Write About a Supreme Master of the Universe: A day with the disciples of Ching Hai
LA Weekly
"I find the local offices of the Internaional Association of the Supreme Master of the Universe in a squat warehouse in a rather sad-looking industrial section of El Monte. "We're honored to have you here," says Kathryn Hudson, in a honeyed voice. An attractive blond on the far side of 40, she deposits me in a conference room amid blown-up photographs of Supreme Master Ching Hai."
FLORIDA
It Was All An Act Says Miss Cleo's Lawyer
Click10.com
"MIAMI -- Miss Cleo's attorney says it was all an act and his client is being singled out unfairly. William Cone asked that the suit against Youree Dell Harris, better known as TV psychic Miss Cleo, be dropped."
Also:
Miss Cleo Ads To Pull Disappearing Act
Click10.com
"FORT LAUDERDALE -- The television commercials featuring self-proclaimed psychic Miss Cleo are now a thing of the past. The ads have been pulled."
Judge Clears Up Miss Cleo's Courtroom Future
Circuit Judge Denies Dismiss Request
Click10.com
"FORT LAUDERDALE -- Miss Cleo learned her immediate fate from a South Florida judge today. Attorneys had asked the judge to throw out the charges against Miss Cleo in a state suit citing deceptive trade practices for a series of psychic phone commercials, but Circuit Court Judge Thomas Lynch denied that request today."
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.
KANSAS
Jehovah's Witnesses hail decision affirming door-to-door visits
Lawrence Journal-World
Jehovah's Witnesses in Lawrence are welcoming a recent Supreme Court ruling that the Constitution guarantees religious groups, politicians, Girl Scouts and others the right to knock on their neighbors' doors without stopping at town hall for permission.
PENNSYLVANIA
Newly Dedicated Temple in Pennsylvania Attracts Hindus From Across Nation
The Associated Press
"SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - Under billboards pointing tourists toward Amish souvenirs, an ornate, sandstone Hindu temple carves a corner of India into the middle of Pennsylvania's rolling farmland."
Lawmakers Reject Exemption for Amish
The Associated Press
"HARRISBURG - The state House on Thursday deleted from a transportation bill language that would have allowed an Amish sect to use gray reflective tape instead of orange triangles on their buggies."
TEXAS
Russian delegation visits Waco, tours Davidian site
Waco Tribune-Herald
"As part of a two-week program on religious freedom, a group of Russian delegates visited the site of one of the most notorious church-state showdowns in U.S. history Friday. The group visited the site of the Branch Davidian compound on a tour led by Baylor University officials."
AUSTRIA
Catholic women in ordination row
BBC News
"Nine women are to be ordained as Roman Catholic priests in a secret ceremony in Austria this weekend which could lead to their excommunication from the church."
ENGLAND
Kleasen Extradition Proceedings Postponed
The Salt Lake Tribune
"LONDON -- Wanted in Texas for the murder of two Mormon missionaries nearly three decades ago, American expatriate Robert Elmer Kleasen was allowed a brief private visit with his German wife during a break in an extradition hearing at the Bow Street Magistrates Court here Thursday."
HONG KONG
Hong Kong begins deporting Falungong practitioners
AFP
"Hong Kong authorities have begun deporting Falungong practitioners denied entry ahead of celebrations to mark the fifth anniversary of the territory's reversion to Chinese rule, a group spokeswoman said."
Also:
Falun Gong: More Members Banned, The Associated Press
INDIA
Hindus seek online blessings
BBC News
"Millions of Hindu gods and goddesses are now online - accessible by just a click of a mouse. With religion going high-tech, devotees in India and abroad are utilising the services of the net rather than standing in a line in a temple to offer prayer rituals."
JAPAN
Setagaya Ward govt settles with Aum followers
Yomiuri Shimbun
The government of Setagaya Ward, Tokyo, and a group of Aum Supreme Truth cult followers have agreed to settle five lawsuits in which the followers demanded the ward register them as residents and pay compensation for having refused to do so.
NIGERIA
Rivers Police Arrest 2 Cult Students
This Day
LAGOS -- The Rivers State Police Command said on Wednesday that it had arrested two students of the state polytechnic, Bori, suspected to be cult members.
PHILIPPINES
Ombudsman to probe execs who blocked arrest of Ecleo
Inquirer News Service
CEBU CITY - Ombudsman Aniano Desierto has ordered a fact-finding team to investigate reports that some public officials allegedly attempted to delay the arrest of cult leader Ruben Ecleo Jr.
‘Big-time pols backing Ecleos’
The Philippine Star
SURIGAO CITY - Justice will elude alleged victims of Ruben Ecleo Jr., detained "supreme master" of the Philippine Benevolent Missionaries Association (PBMA), because big-time politicians are supporting the Ecleo family, the left-wing National Democratic Front (NDF) said.
