In his latest sermon, Israel Folau has linked the bush fires and drought which have ravaged NSW and Queensland to same-sex marriage and abortion legislation. During the 10-minute recording, the 30-year-old says the timing of the bushfire crisis is no coincidence but only a taste of God’s judgment should nothing change. Read more
On average, the value of coins thrown into the Trevi fountain in Rome is about €2500 (about NZ$4346) That’s per day. Toss in a coin, so the story goes, and you’ll return to bella Roma The tradition of tossing a coin into the fountain goes back to time immemorial, later embedded in the 1950s film Three Coins Read more
The crypt chapel in the Church of Holy Mary of the Conception in Rome is composed completely of human bones, hanging lanterns and all. While the chapel is some “weird Catholic stuff,” to say the least, it does present a pressing and unavoidable lesson: that our lives are short and that we are all going Read more
There were cats in the hats, Whos from Whoville and maybe even some green eggs and ham at the Dr Seuss-themed Light Party at the War Memorial Centre on Thursday night. The light party was organised by Stratford’s MountainView Vineyard Church as a family-friendly alternative to Halloween. Continue reading
Many people with asthma could cut their carbon footprint and help save the environment by switching to “greener” medications, UK researchers say. Making the swap would have as big an “eco” impact as turning vegetarian or becoming an avid recycler, they say. Many people with asthma could cut their carbon footprint and help save the Read more
Around 1568, Florentine nun Plautilla Nelli—a self-taught painter who ran an all-woman artists’ workshop out of her convent—embarked on her most ambitious project yet: a monumental Last Supper scene featuring life-size depictions of Jesus and the 12 Apostles. Read more
A carefully planned card trick brought a roar of laughter to a recent meeting Pope Francis had with a group of Capuchin Franciscans from Le Marche Region in Italy. Read more
A man of 58 and a family with young adults aged 18 to 25 were living at a farm in the province of Drenthe. They were found after the eldest of the children ordered a beer at a bar in the nearby village of Ruinerwold. It was unclear how long the family had been in Read more
Pope Francis isn’t known for his love for American football but he posted a tweet that accidentally backed the New Orleans Saints. “Today we give thanks to the Lord for our new #Saints. They walked by faith and now we invoke their intercession.” Read more
Thousands of people showed up to an outdoor shopping centre in Utah to see rapper Kanye West perform what he calls a worship service. Read more