Seven people have been killed, while 34 were left injured in an attack in Jordan's Karak, where gunmen opened fire during a funeral at a church. The assault happened on a Greek Orthodox Church in the village of Hamoud.
Churches across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region have started asking worshippers to fill self-declaration forms, affirming they are attending prayers voluntarily. This move comes after Maharashtra's new anti-conversion law, the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026, came into force, leading to concerns among the Christian community about potential harassment and false accusations.
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council has voiced strong opposition to any directive making the singing of 'Vande Mataram' compulsory, especially for Christians. They argue that patriotism should not be reduced to forced conformity and that India's constitutional values of liberty, pluralism, and freedom of conscience must be respected. The council also called for dialogue and sensitivity from state institutions.
A priest from St Vincent Ferrer Church in Mangaluru, Father Cyprian Pinto, has been arrested on charges of sexually abusing minor boys. The arrest followed intervention by Mysuru-based NGO Odanadi, after initial complaints to the diocese and child protection authorities reportedly did not lead to immediate action. Police inquiries suggest at least five children were victims.
A 45-year-old pastor, Balwinder Pal, was stabbed to death at his residence in Batala, Punjab, on Thursday. Police have booked a man named Naresh Kumar in connection with the killing and are investigating the case.
The Meghalaya High Court has ruled that moral objections from church elders and locals cannot be a valid ground to deny the operation of a legally licensed liquor outlet. The court directed authorities to permit a shop owner to operate her IMFL retail outlet, noting she fulfilled all statutory requirements and that the objections were based on moral rather than legal grounds. The ruling also highlighted that a legal outlet could help curb illegal liquor sales.
Students at Scottish Church College in Kolkata allege they were threatened with academic repercussions for refusing to participate in a play titled 'Namo Seva -- Untold Stories', a charge denied by the principal who states participation is voluntary and follows state directives.
Little Thomas may have its heart in the right place, but its storytelling never quite catches up with its intentions, rues Mayur Sanap.
Former Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa has moved the Supreme Court seeking protection from arrest under anti-terrorism laws in connection with the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings. This appeal follows the dismissal of his previous petition by the Court of Appeal and an existing overseas travel ban.
The Union Home Ministry's High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes has requested states and Union Territories to provide detailed data on "visible changes" in religious demography over the last 15 years. This includes information on birth registrations, religious structures, vehicle registrations, property transfers in tribal areas, and educational institutions, aiming to assess demographic shifts and recommend policy measures.
We check horoscopes. We check family background. We check whether the boy has a 'government job' or the girl 'knows how to cook'. Somewhere in this elaborate audit, nobody thought to ask: Hey, are you both healthy?
Several protesters, including CPI(M) MP John Brittas, were detained in Delhi as the Cockroach Janata Party's (CJP) protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation entered its second day on Sunday. Protesters alleged manhandling by security personnel, while police maintained extensive security arrangements, detaining thousands over the weekend.
The Kerala High Court has affirmed the conviction and life imprisonment of a former state government employee found guilty of raping a 14-year-old schoolgirl over 45 days in 2009. The court dismissed the accused's appeal, stating the victim's testimony was "sterling quality" and corroborated by medical evidence, rejecting claims of false implication.
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju strongly condemned the alleged desecration of the Indian flag and pro-Khalistan slogans by protesters outside Madison Square Garden in New York, where RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat addressed the Indian-American community. Rijiju warned against insulting the nation and its flag, while Bhagwat spoke on unity in diversity.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has accused the BJP of attempting to intimidate bishops and church leaders in Kerala to gain their support, asserting that such tactics will not succeed in the state.
An independent commission has found Manchester City guilty of serious financial rule breaches over nine seasons, involving "sham" commercial contracts to inflate revenue and understate costs by over 900 million. The club denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal the decision, which could have significant consequences for its past and future achievements in English football.
Two incidents of granite grave slabs being stolen from church cemeteries in Mallappally, Pathanamthitta, have unsettled the community. Police are investigating the thefts, suspecting multiple individuals and a vehicle were involved, and are exploring a possible connection between the two incidents.
A US Congressman has raised serious concerns regarding India's proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), warning that these changes could lead to government takeovers of religious charities and strain bilateral relations.
Three people were killed and four others injured in an attack by suspected militants in Manipur's Kangpokpi district. The victims were members of the Thadou Baptist Association returning from a religious gathering. The Chief Minister has condemned the violence and assured support for the injured.
Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma met Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026. Shah assured that the bill would not be retrospective. Various church and minority organisations have expressed concerns about the bill's impact on NGOs, schools, and healthcare units, urging its withdrawal or referral to a joint parliamentary committee.
Drishyam: The Conclusion has remarkably outsmarted its Malayalam counterpart, Drishyam 3, by delivering a superior thriller that perfectly understands audience expectations for intricate plots and compelling twists.
Comparing the two states is comparing an apple to an orange. I ate apples for years. Then I felt I needed some citrus, and I moved to oranges. That doesn't make the apple a lesser fruit, reflects Binu Alex.
An Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder from the UK has been booked by Pune Police for allegedly attempting to induce people to convert to Christianity. The individual is accused of using religious gatherings to spread misconceptions about Hindu traditions and make superstitious claims to attract followers, violating the Immigration and Foreigners Act 2025 and the Maharashtra Freedom of Religion Act, 2026.
No shade or genre was a roadblock for Nana Patekar. In fact, some of his movies only age well because we associate them with his terrific presence.
In a unique Kerala wedding, twin brothers married twin sisters, with the entire ceremony, including officiating priests and altar boys, featuring multiple sets of twins.
Southern chief ministers fear population stabilisation could reduce their parliamentary representation and tax devolution benefits.
The Nagaland government has postponed its official International Day of Yoga programme from Sunday to Monday following significant opposition from student bodies, tribal organisations, churches, and political groups. These groups cited religious sentiments in the Christian-majority state against holding the event on a Sunday.
The Malankara Orthodox Church opposes the Kerala government's decision to extend bar timings, fearing it will negatively impact the youth. The government defends the decision as a tourism-boosting measure already in place in tourist areas.
Fans, former teammates, and opponents gathered in Milan to bid farewell to Franco Baresi, the iconic AC Milan and Italy defender who passed away at 66. Baresi, a legendary figure in Italian football, was remembered for his illustrious 20-year career with AC Milan and his contributions to the Italian national team.
The Supreme Court on Monday asked an apex court-appointed committee to verify claims that around 24,000 families affected by the 2023 Manipur ethnic violence are yet to receive benefits under government rehabilitation and welfare schemes.
India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, has clarified that the recent amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) are primarily aimed at enhancing transparency and ensuring accountability in foreign financial flows.
One person was killed and his wife injured in a fresh attack in Manipur's Noney district on Wednesday evening, when suspected militants fired on their vehicle, officials said.
Polish envoy Piotr Antoni Switalski stated that Poland stands with India in the fight against terrorism, asserting his country's support for India's right to pursue terrorists globally, while also highlighting strong cultural and defence ties between the two nations.
Dutch footballer Cody Gakpo scored a goal at the World Cup against Morocco, immediately breaking down in tears due to the recent loss of his unborn baby boy. His emotional reaction, understood by teammates and visible to his parents in the stands, highlighted the profound personal grief he carried while competing on the global stage, overshadowing the team's eventual defeat.
The government is considering sending 'The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026' to a joint committee of both houses of Parliament for further examination, even as the Congress and some other opposition parties have demanded that it be withdrawn, sources said on Tuesday.
Every day, the older men running our politics keep pushing Gen Z voters further away, observes Binu Alex.
Kin of 2019 Easter Sunday attack victims in Sri Lanka protested against alleged opposition attempts to obstruct ongoing investigations. The protests follow the arrest of former intelligence chief Suresh Sallay and accusations of political conspiracy related to the attacks. The current government has reopened the probe, citing past political interference.
Suspected militants attacked Kultuh Kuki village in Manipur's Kamjong district, killing two people and burning 30 houses. This incident follows the recovery of six Naga civilians' bodies, believed to be hostages. Security forces are investigating, while the Kuki Baptist Convention and a Congress leader have condemned the violence and criticised the government's response.
A Sri Lankan court has imposed an overseas travel ban on former president Gotabaya Rajapaksa and two former military officers in connection with ongoing investigations into the 2019 Easter Sunday attacks. The ban was issued after the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) raised concerns that their flight could hamper the probe into the coordinated suicide bombings that killed 270 people. The current government reopened the investigation in late 2024, alleging political influence led to an earlier cover-up.
Mizoram reports a rise in tuberculosis-related deaths and new cases, highlighting the challenges and ongoing efforts to combat the disease in the region.
