Mashups of Diwali and Halloween occur every few years as Diwali, a day on the lunar calendar that shifts from year to year on the Western calendar, falls on or around Halloween. This year the two coincide for the first time since 2016. (Karmarkar, Religion News Service)
Read More“Saw,” which was released 20 years ago this week, was never supposed to be a success. It was meant as a low-budget calling card for two Australian film students who were looking to start their careers with a scrappy splash and a neat idea: a serial killer who forces his victims to prove they want to stay alive through bloody sacrificial tasks. (Aguiar, The New York Times)
Read MorePolice in China are cracking down on public Halloween celebrations in some of the country’s biggest cities by clearing people from streets and questioning them about costume choices, out of apparent fear the holiday has become a rallying point for youth dissatisfaction. (Shepherd, Wu & Chiang, The Washington Post)
Read MoreAmerican churchgoers are looking for more than biblical explanation from their pastor each week. Many expect the sermons to help them understand and address modern cultural issues. (Earls, Lifeway Research)
Read MoreAlmost every top-10 name from 2023 is holding steady in 2024 – with some noteworthy exceptions. Ellie joins the top 10 girl names for the first time ever at No. 9, bumping Evelyn down to No. 11. And Asher is back in the top 10 boy names at No. 9 after a year away, while Luca is out at No. 12. (Wahlberg, Baby Center)
Read MoreThe case of the temple sweet shows how India’s food cultures have become increasingly politicized. In a nation where cows are viewed as sacred by most Hindus, many states have banned the slaughter of cows and made the transportation of beef a punishable offense. (Pragati K.B., The New York Times)
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