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NDTV
5 days ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Punjab Cabinet Approves New Bill Proposing Life Term In Sacrilege Cases
Chandigarh: In a move aimed at taking strong action against sacrilege, the Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, approved the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scriptures Bill 2025. The decision was taken during a meeting of the Council of Ministers at the Chief Minister's residence in Chandigarh. The Chief Minister's Office said, Punjab has witnessed several incidents in recent years involving the desecration of sacred texts, especially the Sri Guru Granth Sahib. These acts have deeply hurt public sentiment and triggered unrest. While existing provisions in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 (new penal code) do cover such offences, the state government believes the current penalties are not strong enough to stop such crimes. The Cabinet cleared a state-specific law that will introduce stricter punishment. Under the new bill, those found guilty of desecrating any holy scripture could face life imprisonment. The law will apply to offences against the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, the Bhagavad Gita, the Holy Bible, the Quran Sharif and other revered religious texts. The state government said the law will not only help preserve communal harmony and peace but also serve as a strong deterrent against those wanting to create trouble in society. Until now, no law in Punjab has directly addressed offences against sacred scriptures. As a result, many cases were either delayed or did not result in serious action. The new bill fills the legal gap by making sacrilege a defined offence, with severe punishment. According to the draft, anyone convicted of committing sacrilege could be sentenced to a minimum of 10 years in jail, going up to life imprisonment. Those attempting the crime could face 3 to 5 years, while individuals helping or encouraging the act will be punished in line with the main offence. Regulations for Crusher Units and Retailers Also Approved In another significant decision, the Cabinet also gave its nod to the Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units and Stockists and Retailer Rules 2025. These rules are part of a wider effort to crack down on illegal mining and ensure that crusher units and retailers operate under a clear and accountable legal framework. The rules lay out procedures, forms, deadlines, and enforcement mechanisms, aiming to eliminate loopholes, prevent royalty evasion, and put an end to illegal sand and gravel procurement. The new framework is also expected to promote environmentally responsible business practices. Opposition Parties Question Drafting Process The sacrilege bill has already drawn criticism from the opposition. Leaders from the BJP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal said the bill should have been discussed in detail with all political parties and representatives of religious and social groups. They accused the Aam Aadmi Party government of pushing the draft without any broader consultation. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann responded to the criticism by clarifying that the government intends to put the draft in the public domain before finalising the law. "This is just the first step. We will invite feedback and consider all opinions before taking it forward," he said.
Watani
6 days ago
- General
- Watani
In pictures: Bishop Boulos places Bible and prayers of congregation in foundation of Sts Peter and Paul church
Following the Divine Liturgy for the Feast of the Apostles on Saturday 12 July 2025, His Grace Bishop Boulos of the Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Ottawa, Montreal, and Eastern Canada, laid the Holy Bible and the written prayers and petitions of the congregation with the foundation stone of the new church of St Peter and St Paul in Pointe-Claire, Quebec, Canada. The construction of the ground floor is already nearing completion. Joining Bishop Boulos were Fr monk Or El-Baramosy, a visiting monk-priest from the monastery of the Holy Virgin al-Baramous in Egypt, and Fr Peter Saad, priest of the church. Bishop Boulos inscribed the date on the Holy Bible as a blessed remembrance of this spiritual milestone. Together with the clergy, he led a special prayer service to bless the foundations of the new church building. The new development will include a chapel, a parking structure, Sunday School classrooms, and a spacious gymnasium designed for multiple sports. In adherence to construction safety protocols, the congregation surrounded the building site from the outside, following along in prayer as Bishop Boulos and Fr Peter led the liturgy. The event was marked by great joy, ululations , and a celebratory spirit fitting for the feast of Sts Peter and Paul. Several members of the church council also participated, including Adel Boulos and Shahir Guindi. Bishop Boulos took time to explain each step of the ceremony to the people, emphasising the significance of placing the Bible and the people's petitions in the church's foundation—a cherished tradition in the Coptic Orthodox Church. This act, he explained, stresses that the building is not merely a structure but a dwelling place for God among His people. The moment was filled with spiritual meaning, collective joy, and the deep unity of a community coming together to witness the birth of a new sacred collective joy, a community coming together to witness the birth of a new holy space. Watani International 13 July 2025 Comments comments
NDTV
19-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Let He Who Is Without Sin...": Putin, Asked About Mistakes, Quotes Bible
Russian President Vladimir Putin turned to the Holy Bible when asked whether he made any mistakes during his 25 years in power. During a round-table in St Petersburg, a US journalist posed a direct question to Putin, asking if he had any regrets or made any errors over the past quarter of a century. The President quoted from the Bible, saying, "Let he who is without sin among you, cast the first stone at me." The quote means that everyone makes mistakes, and only those who have never made one or done anything wrong have the right to judge or punish others. President Putin asked if he's ever made any mistakes over past quarter of a century Russian leader turns to the Bible for his answer: 'Let he who is without sin among you, cast the first stone at me' Amen ! Good morning Africans — African (@ali_naka) June 19, 2025 During the same interaction, he also shed light on Russia's involvement in Ukraine. Putin said that conditions for Ukraine were much better in 2022 but they have now significantly changed. "The situation is what it is now, but we are still willing to resolve it based on established principles," he said. He urged Kyiv to sit down for negotiations, warning that any further delay would deteriorate the situation for Ukraine. "They shouldn't put it off... they should sit down and talk to us this is an objective FACT," he said. Conditions had been much better for Ukraine in 2022 — Putin Adds if Kiev refuses to negotiate now, situation could get EVEN worse for them 'They shouldn't put if off… this is an objective FACT' — RT (@RT_com) June 18, 2025 Putin said he was open to meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but only during the final stage of talks to put an end to the three-year conflict, adding that there was no point in holding repeated endless negotiations. He also underlined the goal of not only ending the current war but also ensuring similar conflicts don't reoccur. Russia isn't threatened by NATO even as it increases its military power, Putin said, adding they are strong enough to defend themselves. "We do not consider any rearmament by NATO to be a threat to the Russian Federation, because we are self-sufficient in terms of ensuring our own security," he added. On the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, Putin said he was open to acting as a mediator between the two countries to broker a ceasefire. He said Moscow could help negotiate a settlement that allows Tehran to pursue a peaceful atomic program while also assuaging Israeli security concerns, AP reported. Putin said: "It's a delicate issue," adding "in my view, a solution could be found.
Scottish Sun
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
How Harry Styles uses his tattoos to map secret ‘sadness' and as artist reveals what his designs really mean
Kevin Paul, who has inked Harry, reveals what the pop star was really like behind the scenes STORY OF MY LIFE How Harry Styles uses his tattoos to map secret 'sadness' and as artist reveals what his designs really mean When the globally recognisable Harry Styles braved a crowd of 150,000 people to witness the new Pope's first address in person, it highlighted how important the star's spiritual journey is to him - as evident in his body art. However, one artist behind some of his body art believes there is a 'sadness' tinged with some of Harry's curious designs. 7 Harry Styles show off his tattoos in the music video for his single, As It Was Credit: YOUTUBE 7 Harry was spotted in the crowds in St Peter's Square, Vatican City, to watch the newly elected Pope Leo XIV make his first public address Credit: PA 7 Kevin Paul, is a tattoo artist to the stars and has inked Harry Styles, Ed Sheeran and Rihanna Credit: Vantage News The singer, who was spotted in St. Peter's Square watching Pope Leo XIV being debuted at the Vatican, has a series of religious-inspired tattoos, including an inking of a Holy Bible on his left arm, and a cross on his left hand. A source said: 'Harry's body is like a scrapbook of his life. He would always get tattoos as little representations of specific moments in time - they're all like little mementos now, and you can trace his journey through his spiritual discoveries through his body art. 'Scrapbook of his life' 'One Direction used to be stuck in their hotel rooms on tour, because anywhere they went was swarmed with fans. Getting tattoos in their hotel rooms was their escape from the madness and a way to express themselves and feel free. 'Sometimes they would just muck around with little cartoons, that really aren't that deep, but others seem symbolic of what was going on inside their heads at the time. 'You could say getting body art was their first outlet to cope with fame - now Harry's chronicles all the different paths he has explored to help be at peace with fame, and life in general.' The former One Direction star, 31, has previously stated he is 'more spiritual than religious' - though with typical dry humour, he admitted that it 'sounds a little w***y' to describe himself as spiritual. 'Outlet to cope with fame' 'I'm not super tied-in to certain rules,' he stated in 2018. 'But I think it's naïve to say nothing exists and there's nothing above us or more powerful than us. I think that's a little narrow-minded. 'I definitely believe in karma…. I definitely think there's something, that it's not just us.' Yet despite his tattoos having clear religious inspiration, tattoo artist Kevin Paul says Harry's body art is often spur-of-the-moment, as epitomised when he played "tattoo roulette" and got an inking live on the Late, Late Show. 'Harry is very random,' he says. 'I was halfway through stencilling another design that he wanted when he decided that he didn't want that now, he wanted to have '17 Black'. Watch as Harry Styles goes unnoticed by fans in London 7 Harry's tattoo artist says the process of how he decides his tattoos are often 'erratic' Credit: Splash News 'It was all very erratic how he had his tattoos. I think he's calmed down a lot though now.' But Kevin recalls how Harry's tattoo sessions, which would take place in a hotel room while the group were touring, seemed to be a method of escape from the constant glare of the spotlight. 'When I met him, you could see the sadness oozing through him,' says Kevin. 'Because they were locked in - they could never go anywhere. 'He just wanted to be normal' 'We used to call it 'the billion pound pension' because everyone was going to get rich off the back of it, but they just had to do as they were told and be where they were told to be. 'I got really sad for him, because he was really sweet. There was a moment when I told him I didn't have any kitchen roll and said I needed some, and he said: 'There's a Sainsbury's over the road, I'll go and get some.' And then he went: 'Oh s***. I can't.'' Naturally, at the time, wherever the band were holed up was besieged by armies of devoted fans, desperate for a glimpse, which left them locked in hotel rooms across the globe. 'More spiritual than religious' 'He just wanted to be normal,' says Kevin. 'He wanted to walk across the road.' While there is an 'erraticism' to some of Harry's tattoos, it is possible that another of Harry's tattoos - a bird cage inked in 2012 - is representative of this feeling. Equally, his growing collection of religious art seems to reflect his interest in discovering about different faiths. In 2014, he covered up a tattoo on his arm which read 'things I can't' - thought to be taken from a serenity prayer - with a picture of a Holy Bible. Harry, who says he 'is christened but not really that religious', was brought up in a family of church goers. His late paternal grandfather Brian Selley laughed that the young parishioners in Harry's hometown of Holmes Chapel knew more about his grandson's goings on than he did. 'They always want to know the latest when they see me on a Sunday,' Brian laughed in 2013. 'It's the first thing they ask me – I think they're hoping he'll come with me one Sunday.' 7 In Harry's As It Was music video, he references the creation of Adam from the Michelangelo painting in the Sistine Chapel (below) Credit: YouTube / Harry Styles 7 The Creation of Adam from the Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo Credit: Getty And despite wearing a St Christopher - the patron saint of safe travels - on stage, as well as regularly making the sign of the cross during performances, Harry has also shown a keen interest in the teachings of numerous religions besides Christianity. In 2014, he wore a Kabbalah bracelet - a red string with a charm - on stage at Wembley, prompting speculation he had started following the religion popularised by Madonna at the time. The bracelet is believed to protect the wearer from bad energy, or feeling negative emotions such as jealousy, that those possessed by the 'evil eye' otherwise encounter. Kabbalah bracelet In March 2015, during One Direction's tumultuous tour stop in Thailand, which saw Zayn Malik sensationally quit the group, Harry embarked on a spiritual journey, visiting temples in Bangkok and practising yoga and meditation. Meditation, he says, makes him feel like he is 'living', and helps 'with worrying about the future less, and the past less'. He later told how Hermann Hesse's novel Siddhartha, which tells the story of a young man's journey of self-discovery during the time of Gautama Buddha, 'makes a lot of sense' to him, and was an 'important' book. Among his travels, he has exchanged theological ideas with some of the world's most profound thinkers - he once met with the philosopher Alain de Botton to discuss 'Plato, Aristotle, love and beauty'. 7 Ed Sheeran gives Harry an inking on his left arm Credit: EBay During his time in 1D, he had such affection for the Jewish religion, he Tweeted friends with Yiddish words and had his sister Gemma's name tattooed in Hebrew, and though his dad Des clarified 'categorically, he is 0% Jewish'. Harry also has several inkings to remember late relatives including his step-father Robin, and his grandparents, including the letters R and B. Kevin - who has also drawn many of Ed Sheeran and Rihanna's tattoos, and has been tipped to appear on ITV2's Big Brother - says this is all part of Harry feeling comfortable to show the world who he is, and adds: 'It's nice he's able to express himself. 'When people ask who the nicest person I've worked with is, I would still say Harry.'
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Craig Melvin Announces Major Career Switch-Up 5 Months After 'Today' Promotion
announced a major career switch-up just five months after replacing as a co-anchor on Today. On May 15, Southern Living magazine took to Instagram with exciting news in a joint post with Melvin, 45. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 "Catch Craig Melvin as the co-anchor of the @todayshow, and you may hear a fellow host call him 'Mr. Southern Living,'" the update began. "It's an apt moniker for the Columbia, South Carolina-born journalist, who was raised in a household where the magazine came 'third or fourth to the Holy Bible,' he says." The announcement continued: "In a full-circle moment, Craig's new column will debut on newsstands tomorrow in our June/July issue! Join us at the link in our profile to read our conversation with our newest columnist and learn the one Southern tradition he'll never give up." In the comments, Melvin's Instagram followers reacted to the exciting news. One fan declared of his new Southern Living column, "We are so proud of him!!! He makes South Carolina proud!!!!" Another echoed, "We love you Craig so proud of our SC man 😍." Someone else agreed, writing, "As a fellow South Carolinian, I'm so proud of Craig." These days, Melvin is one busy man. In addition to his Today duties, the journalist must balance time with his wife, Lindsay Czarniak, and their two kids, Delano and Sybil. How does it do it all? Next:
