A peaceful protest by some 60-80 people outside a public meeting in support of vulnerable migrant students has been such a threat to New Zealand’s security that the police officers present had to be deployed with Tasers. The protest was held on Monday outside a public meeting presented by the Finance Minister Bill English and Read more
Pope Francis will not travel to Israel on Friday to attend the funeral of Shimon Peres, despite an announcement to the contrary by Israel’s Foreign Ministry. A spokesman for the ministry said Francis was expected to attend the funeral, along with US President Barack Obama, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Prince Charles and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Read more
SPCA Auckland is encouraging animal lovers to celebrate their pets by taking part in the Great Animal Walk and Blessing of the Animals on October 2. The parade starts at 12.45pm from Victoria Park and finishes at St Matthew-in-the-City in time for the Blessing of the Animals service. Continue reading
For the first time ever, Playboy has featured a woman wearing a hijab. The magazine’s October issue includes an interview with 22-year-old journalist Noor Tagouri, who’s a reporter for online news outlet, Newsy. The accompanying photo shows a fully-clothed Tagouri wearing the traditional Muslim head scarf in front of a red, white and blue backdrop. Read more
A Whangarei child poverty charity is a finalist in the community innovation category at the NZI Sustainable Business Network Awards. The New Zealand Network Charity’s unique fundraising loyalty programme, called ‘network member with rewards’, allows people to register as a member, pay a membership fee and then have access to discounts and special offers from supporter businesses. Read more
Canon law changes are underway. Pope Francis has strengthened the Latin and Eastern Churches’ cooperative efforts in spreading the Gospel with a new decree. This brings the Latin Church’s Code of Canon Law into harmony with the canon law of the Eastern Catholic Churches. Read more
The parents who abused their teenage daughter because they thought she was a witch have been condemned by the leader of New Zealand’s Congolese community. Francious Kayembe said exorcisms and witchcraft were not common in the Congo, though the practices did happen in some sections of the community there. However, it did not happen in Read more
Salvation Army representatives hope to meet with Whanganui District Council staff to discuss a proposed joint venture for pensioner housing. If it goes ahead, Whanganui will become the first regional city in New Zealand to implement such a scheme. Continue reading
Exiled Tibetian leader, the Dalai Lama, has been interviewed on British morning television with Piers Morgan. Morgan asked the Dalai Lama what he thought of Donald Trump.Read more