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Religion

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Religion. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

last updated:

9 September, 2024

Pope Francis presides over the Christmas Eve mass at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

On Christmas Eve, Pope Francis appeals for courage to better the world

The pontiff opened the Catholic Holy Year, which happens only every 25 years and is expected to bring 32 million tourists to Rome.

25 Dec 2024 - 4:24AM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong cardinal urges empathy over revenge in Christmas message

23 Dec 2024 - 6:41PM

Australia’s South Asians hail anti-racism framework for including caste

23 Dec 2024 - 8:21PM

Saudi suspect in German Christmas market attack held on multiple murder charges

Officials say Taleb al-Abdulmohsen, a doctor, was angry about country’s permissive attitude to refugees from other mainly Muslim countries.

23 Dec 2024 - 3:16AM

A woman holds a candle as people leave floral tributes to the victims on Saturday near the site where a car rammed into a crowd at a Magdeburg Christmas market. Photo: Reuters

Pope Francis tells Vatican staff off for gossiping in annual Christmas message

Francis’ message this year revisited a theme he has often warned about: gossiping and speaking ill of people behind their backs.

21 Dec 2024 - 11:10PMvideocam

Fame and celebrity

Who is Mireddys González, Daddy Yankee’s soon-to-be ex-wife?

Puerto Rican reggaeton sensation Daddy Yankee had called his high school sweetheart wife, with whom he shares 2 children, his ‘boss’ and ‘the right one’ – now he’s filed a legal injunction against her.

21 Dec 2024 - 6:00PM

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Snakes in popular culture and religion? It’s a love-hate relationship

The snake is the Biblical trickster in the Garden of Eden and the enemy of the Norse gods, but also the saviour of the world in Hinduism.

20 Dec 2024 - 5:15PM

A depiction of the Egyptian sun god Ra fighting the snake god Apep. Snakes are either hated in mythology as evil, sneaky, dangerous, or revered as saviours and friends of the gods. Photo: Getty Images

‘Satire is not a crime’: Malaysian artist’s probe fuels free speech fears

The controversial graphic artist is under scrutiny for a satirical poster on the former Sabah chief minister.

19 Dec 2024 - 2:01PM

Oscar Pistorius

Who is Oscar Pistorius’ reported new love, family friend Rita Greyling?

Greyling is part of the Pistorius family’s inner circle and appears to have been quietly dating Pistorius for months – she also looks very similar to Pistorius’ ex, who he was convicted of shooting.

19 Dec 2024 - 6:00AM

Priyanka Gandhi’s Palestinian bag sparks political firestorm in India

Her gesture has ignited a debate about India’s stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, drawing criticism from the ruling BJP for allegedly appeasing Muslims.

18 Dec 2024 - 6:07PMvideocam

Priyanka Gandhi’s Palestinian bag has sparked a political firestorm in India. Photo: X/@iAnkurSingh

‘Inhumane’: inside India’s detention camps for Rohingya refugees

A new report details dehumanising treatment and dire living conditions faced by hundreds of Rohingya held in detention camps across India.

17 Dec 2024 - 1:00PMvideocam

A Rohingya refugee child looks out through the bars of a window at a camp on the outskirts of Chennai, India. Photo: AFP

Naga, the mythical snake that protected Buddha yet poisoned a river

Often many-headed and called the King of Serpents, Naga is worshipped by Hindus and Buddhists, especially in Southeast Asia.

17 Dec 2024 - 11:15AM

Pope Francis, in Corsica, warns against religion that stokes divisions

Pope Francis’ trip to Corsica marks the first papal visit to the French island, the pontiff later met French President Macron.

16 Dec 2024 - 3:23AM

Iran arrests singer for giving online concert without hijab

Parastoo Ahmadi, who was accompanied by four male musicians, wore a black sleeveless and collarless dress but no headscarf.

15 Dec 2024 - 4:46AMvideocam

Parastoo Ahmadi posted her concert online on Wednesday, calling herself “a girl who wants to sing for the people I love”. Photo: YouTube/Parastoo Ahmadi

India’s political landscape is shifting, with parties vying for women’s votes

Indian political parties are targeting women voters with financial aid and empowerment schemes, acknowledging their increasing electoral influence.

13 Dec 2024 - 6:18PMvideocam

Women stand in a queue to cast their vote at a polling station during the second phase of the general elections, in Barmer, Rajasthan, India, on April 26. Photo: Reuters

Fame and celebrity

Who is Sophie Rain, the controversial OnlyFans star and ‘devout Christian’?

Sophie Rain decided to start an OnlyFans account after being fired from her job as a waitress; now, she’s supporting her family with the money she makes from her content.

11 Dec 2024 - 6:01PM

Vandals spray ‘Kill Israiel’ graffiti in Australia’s largest Jewish community

The incident in Sydney’s suburb of Woollahra came after federal police established a task force to investigate increasing antisemitic crimes.

11 Dec 2024 - 1:59PM

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The Philippines

In Philippines, could an influential church shape the fate of VP Sara Duterte?

The Iglesia ni Cristo, known for its disciplined bloc voting, plans to protest against moves to impeach Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio.

11 Dec 2024 - 11:00AMvideocam

Philippine Vice-President Sara Duterte-Carpio (left) and President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr. Photo: AP

Fame and celebrity

Who is Noa Cohen, the controversial actress behind Netflix’s Mary?

The 22-year-old starring opposite Anthony Hopkins keeps fit with yoga and has worked with Israeli brands and fashion designers, including Ortal Mizrahi’s brand MadebyIla.

11 Dec 2024 - 4:00AM

Pope Francis joins EV crusade with zero-emission electric Popemobile

Pope Francis, a champion of the environment, will go around in a custom-made electric white Mercedes-Benz Popemobile.

10 Dec 2024 - 4:15PM

‘Nice day for tennis’: Albanese slammed for slow response to synagogue attack

A politician has criticised Australian PM Anthony Albanese for not ‘showing solidarity with the Jewish community’ soon after the attack.

10 Dec 2024 - 2:17PM

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visits the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on Tuesday after it was hit by an arson attack. Photo: dpa

‘Worrying’: India-Bangladesh ties tested by mounting communal violence

Amid unrest surrounding the arrest of a Hindu priest, analysts fear violence and growing religious divides are ‘taking the region backwards’.

8 Dec 2024 - 5:00PM

Indian Hindus take part in a protest outside the Bangladesh High Commission in Mumbai on Monday. Photo: AFP

Nepal’s ‘barbaric’ animal sacrifice ritual persists despite outcry

Activists estimate as many as 500,000 animals will be sacrificed at Nepal’s Gadhimai Temple this week to honour the Hindu goddess of power.

8 Dec 2024 - 3:00PM

Paris’ Notre Dame cathedral welcomes back public for mass after five-year refit

Beloved Paris monument nearly burned down in 2019. French President Emmanuel Macron attended the mass.

9 Dec 2024 - 4:13AMvideocam

He dresses popes, priests, new cardinals and has seen their tastes change

In Rome, Raniero Mancinelli has sewn robes for popes and priests, including new cardinals, for 62 years. He’s seen clerical fashion evolve.

9 Dec 2024 - 6:36PM

One of the last ecclesiastical tailors in Rome, Raniero Mancinelli has made cassocks, collars and robes for generations of clergymen, including three popes and some of the new cardinals Pope Francis will appoint on December 7, 2024. Photo: AFP

Will Myanmar’s junta chief face justice for crimes against Rohingya?

The International Criminal Court’s actions could serve to isolate Min Aung Hlaing, but analysts question whether he will be arrested.

7 Dec 2024 - 3:45PM

Min Aung Hlaing pictured in 2018. Photo: Reuters

Insult of tea seller by Indonesian cleric unites Malaysians in outcry

The saga prompted Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim to warn against high-handed attitudes from those supposedly well-versed in religion.

6 Dec 2024 - 1:36PM

Muhammad most popular boys’ baby name in England and Wales for first time

Muhammad has been among the 10 most popular names since 2016, according to the Office for National Statistics.

7 Dec 2024 - 1:50AM

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