Independent senator Nick Xenophon last week said correspondence from former members had implicated the church in a range of crimes, including forced imprisonment, coerced abortions, intimidation and blackmail.

Eight letters from former members of the church were tabled in parliament, including one from Paul David Schofield, who said his toddler daughter Lauren fell down some stairs to her death after being allowed to wander around one of the church's Sydney buildings.

• Email to a friend • Article Search • Related • View comments • Track comments • •

Edward McBride took his own life in 2007. His family believe the Church of Scientology played a major role in his death, and have spent the past two years trying to find answers.

Police investigating his younger brother's death in 2007 had been repeatedly stymied by the church, which failed to provide personal audit files as requested, Stephen McBride said.

• Email to a friend • Article Search • Related • View comments • Track comments • •

Up to a million Hindu devotees have gathered in a village in Nepal to witness the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of animals in a mass sacrifice that has drawn widespread criticism.

Worshippers travelled long distances, many coming from India, to attend the two-day Gadhimai festival, which honours the Hindu goddess of power and takes place once every five years in southern Nepal.

• Email to a friend • Article Search • Related • View comments • Track comments • •

Mehdi Zand, leader of the World of Yaad, a cult which claims to hold the secret to everlasting life, was jailed along with members Francesco Zand and Mohammed 'Javad' Kashefi for a total of 11 years, after attacking the restaurant owner and his business partner.

The restaurant owner says he fears for his life after learning that Kashefi could be released from prison this week.

• Email to a friend • Article Search • Related • View comments • Track comments • •