Empire State Bldg not lit for Mother Teresa

NEW YORK — Many New Yorkers are marking Mother Teresa's 100th birthday with religious ceremonies and by volunteering, but the Empire State Building won't be lit in her honor. The top of the building was lit Thursday in red, white and blue in honor of women's suffrage. Illuminating the 102-story Manhattan skyscraper is a tradition. It's been done for the release of a Mariah Carey album and the 60th anniversary of communist China. But the building's owner declined the Catholic League's request to light it in white and blue for the late Nobel Peace Prize winner. Empire State Building owner Anthony Malkin cites a policy of not honoring religious figures. The Catholic League led a rally to protest the decision. Times Square billboards are being illuminated for the nun, who was born Aug. 26, 1910, and died Sept. 5, 1997, at age 87. — AP