Wiccan Widow Suing Feds, Manila Bans the Code, Witch Killings, James Ossuary

Fed up with the silence of the Department of Veterans Affairs over her request for a pentacle-inscribed marker for her husband's memorial, war widow Roberta Stewart is now planning to sue for discrimination. The Department has been silent on her application but that has not stopped them from refusing to allow her to speak at a memorial service because of her "controversial" application.

Speaking of controversy, the government of Manila has decided it simply can't stomach the Da Vinci Code, and has banned it, and the Indian government has put the release 'on hold.' (IOW, they've banned it as well, at least until they see the reaction elsewhere.)

Three men in Nairobi accused of witchcraft were hacked to death with machetes after suing their accusers for defamation.

Scott McLemee suggests that when it comes to publicity, Athanasius Kircher is more deserving than Leonardo.

Finally, some stunning news from the archaeology world- the so-called "James Ossuary," over which antiquities dealer Oded Golan is on trial for forging, may not be a forgery after all. Geologist and stone chemistry expert Professor Wolfgang E. Krumbein has released his report and concludes that the inscription, which reads "James, brother of Jesus" is in fact genuine.