Author: Rahul M

ROME — Pope Leo XIV has intervened for the first time in an abortion dispute roiling the U.S. Catholic Church, raising the seeming contradiction over what it really means to be “pro-life.”Leo, a Chicago native, was asked late Tuesday about plans by Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich to give a lifetime achievement award to Illinois Senator Dick Durbin for his work helping immigrants. The plans drew objection from some conservative U.S. bishops given the powerful Democratic senator’s support for abortion rights.Leo called first of all for respect for both sides, but he also pointed out the seeming contradiction in such debates.“Someone…

The theft of an AirPod has helped the Karnataka Police arrest a four-member burglary gang, including a woman, near Bengaluru, hours after the criminals executed their second house break-in. The arrested have been identified as Purushottam M, 22, Darshan, 20, Chandru, 24, and Saubhagya B H, 24, all residents of Davangere who shared a common tattoo, the police said on Wednesday. According to the police, they traced the accused to an apartment in Kudlu soon after the second theft, as one of the thieves started using a stolen AirPods, alerting its owner. Story continues below this ad In the first…

Lucknow: In recent days, Uttar Pradesh has seen multiple demonstrations in support of the ‘I Love Muhammad’ campaign. However, in Bareilly, one such protest turned violent after Friday prayers, leading to a clash between demonstrators and police. The protest was called by the Ittehad-e-Millat Council (IMC) chief Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan.There was heavy stone pelting, leaving several people injured. Police have filed 10 cases at five different police stations, naming 55-year-old Maulana Tauqeer as the main accused in seven of them. On Saturday, Bareilly Police arrested him along with seven others, while another 39 were taken into custody. The controversy…

The representative from Lower Leh, Congress leader Tsering Namgyal is the Leader of Opposition in the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC). He speaks to The Indian Express about the allegations against the Congress over the September 24 violence, and about the differences within the Apex Body, Leh (ABL), which is spearheading the protests for statehood and inclusion under Sixth Schedule for Ladakh. Excerpts:* Protests had been going on peacefully in Ladakh for a long time. How did things turn violent? When Ladakh became a Union Territory (after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019), we had great expectations… We…

India’s rising star Abhishek Sharma has etched his name in cricketing history by setting a world record in the ICC Men’s T20I Batter Rankings. The left-handed opener climbed to the top with a career-best rating of 931 points, surpassing a mark that had stood for nearly five years. Abhishek Breaks Long-standing Record Abhishek achieved the feat after scoring a stylish half-century in India’s Asia Cup 2025 victory over Sri Lanka. His record-breaking rating eclipsed the previous best of 919 points, set by England’s Dawid Malan in 2020. In doing so, the 25-year-old also overtook the highest rankings ever achieved by…

In a major announcement, the Central Cabinet has approved a 3% increase in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and pensioners. The increase, which will be implemented retroactively from July 1, 2025, was confirmed in today’s Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This timely decision, made just ahead of the Dussehra festival, has brought immense relief to government employees and pensioners across the country.Also read: PM Modi participates in RSS centenary celebrations, emphasizes unity and resilience3% hike will benefit nearly one crore individualsThe 3% hike will benefit nearly one crore individuals, including 50 lakh active employees…

Netflix Step aside, Winona Ryder and Christina Ricci — there’s a new goth starlet in town. Jenna Ortega, who began her career as a child actor, has been slowly but surely carving out a unique position for herself in the upper echelons of Hollywood. Using her dark, deadpan sense of humor and Victorian ghost child aesthetic, Ortega has a niche all to herself — one that’s allowed her to occupy prime territory in some of the biggest horror film franchises and television series of the past decade.  But like any…

The Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) has officially created new wards across its five new corporations, recognizing the legacies of eminent personalities and achievers from various fields. This move aims to honor the contributions of icons in the arts, politics, cinema, literature, and history. The authority’s gazette notification, issued yesterday, marks the creation of 368 wards, each named after notable individuals whose impact has shaped both Karnataka and the nation.Also read: Bengaluru gets 368 wards under new GBA delimitation, nearly double the BBMP countA Tribute to Icons of Karnataka and IndiaAmong the most prominent names honored are film legend Dr. Rajkumar…

GENEVA (AP) — Switzerland’s glaciers have faced “enormous” melting this year with a 3% drop in total volume — the fourth-largest annual drop on record — due to the effects of global warming, top Swiss glaciologists reported on Wednesday.The shrinkage this year means that ice mass in Switzerland — home to the most glaciers in Europe — has declined by one-quarter over the last decade, the Swiss glacier monitoring group GLAMOS and the Swiss Academy of Sciences said in their new report.“Glacial melting in Switzerland was once again enormous in 2025,” the scientists said. “A winter with low snow depth…

The trophy presentation controversy from the Asia Cup 2025 final has taken a fresh turn, as Asian Cricket Council (ACC) President and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has reportedly handed over custody of the tournament trophy to the UAE Cricket Board. This development comes amid growing tensions with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), which has threatened impeachment proceedings against Naqvi for his handling of the situation. Trophy Drama Sparks Outrage The controversy erupted after India defeated Pakistan in the final on September 28 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. During the post-match presentation, Indian…