Paint these churches

A wave of theft-related stories is drawing attention across several countries. In India, a man accused of theft died in police custody in Navi Mumbai, prompting a probe, while a passenger was killed and robbed by four men at a bus stand in Chevella, Telangana. In the US, a Kirbyville couple was arrested for allegedly stealing over $57,700 from a church, and two people were booked for copper theft in Texas. In France, suspects in a Renoir art theft were arrested, though the paintings remain missing.

Australia's most senior Catholic figure has been convicted of sexual abuse and sentenced to more than six years in prison. The news is drawing sharp, sarcastic commentary online, with people pointing out the irony of inflammatory rhetoric that paints transgender people as a public menace while a senior church leader is jailed for abusing victims. Many are using the sentencing to criticise moral posturing by religious institutions.

A church in Mukwonago, Wisconsin, has been defaced with hate graffiti for the second time. Local coverage reports hateful symbols or messages were spray-painted outside the building, marking a repeat incident after a previous attack. Police have not been detailed in available reports regarding suspects or charges, and community reaction is focused on concern and calls for the vandalism to stop.