News

Fraud scandal leaves Franciscan order in 'grave financial difficulty'
A branch of the Franciscan religious order says the discovery of financial fraud has left it burdened with debt.

Australian mother charged with murder of eight children
An Australian mother has been charged with the murder of eight children, seven of them hers, two days after their bodies were found in a home in the city of Cairns.

India: Hindu leader vows to continue conversions of Muslims and Christians
A powerful Hindu leader defies Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to continue a campaign to convert Muslims and Christians to Hinduism.

A Christmas Survival Guide
Filled with dread at the thought of managing spats this Christmas time? Sarah Abell looks at how to minimise conflict and maximise fun for all the family.

The stories behind the nation's favourite Christmas carols
How much do we really know about our favourite carols and the people who wrote them?

Israel bombs Hamas base in Gaza after rocket hits southern Israel
Israeli aircraft bombed a Hamas militant base in the Gaza Strip on Friday for the first time since the end of a war in the territory.

Tim Tebow opens hospital in the Philippines for impoverished children
Tim Tebow has opened a children's hospital in Davao City, Philippines.

Most Americans believe the historical accuracy of the Christmas story
A new Pew Research Center survey suggests that about three-quarters of Americans believe the biblical Christmas story to be historically accurate.

Richard Dawkins suggests it's faith that makes people capable of committing evil on the scale of the Taliban and Islamic State
According to Richard Dawkins, the Pakistan school massacre earlier this week shows how religion can lead to great acts of evil.

Texas mum forgives prosecutor after her murder conviction is overturned: 'I can't hold on to that bitterness'
Texas mom forgives prosecutor after her murder conviction is overturned: 'I can't hold on to that bitterness'

Two 12-yr-old girls charged in Slender Man stabbing found competent to stand trialÂ
Two 12-yr-old girls charged in Slender Man stabbing found competent to stand trialÂ

'Duck Dynasty' star Mountain Man says he's living God's plan for his lifeÂ
He also reveals the secret to cooking squirrel just right

Pope's Latin American brains trust was behind Cuba deal
Argentine Pope Francis and a trio of top Vatican officials who helped broker the historic deal between the United States and Cuba represent an unprecedented brain trust in Latin American affairs at the Holy See.

Dog faces euthanasia at deceased owner's requestÂ
Dog faces euthanasia at deceased owner's requestÂ

The young at heart are more likely to enjoy a long life
A new study has shown that compared with people who feel their age or older than their years, those who feel younger live longer.

Dog, lost at sea, swims 1.5 miles to church to reunite with ownerÂ
Dog, lost at sea, swims 1.5 miles to church to reunite with ownerÂ