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Oct 13, 2025 - World

Group says Mark Francis Ford’s work history also has several red flags, including entering a program known for treating pedophilia, though he claimed he was there due to problematic spendingAn Indiana man charged with molesting a disabled child while working as a Roman Catholic priest in New Orleans for several years beginning in 2004 should be listed as a credibly accused clergy abuser by various institutions for whom he ministered, says the director of a church accountability organization.Mark Francis Ford, once a member of the religious order colloquially known as the Vincentians, ministered within the archdiocese of New Orleans as well as the dioceses of Dallas and Gallup, New Mexico, after his ordination in 1992. He is accused of raping a boy whom he met through a program that he helped start in New Orleans named God’s Special Children – which serves youths who are disabled – before and after the Vincentians say Ford successfully asked the Vatican to laicize him, or remove him from the priesthood, in 2007. Continue reading...

Oct 13, 2025 - World

City Builders pastor’s daughter tells Victorian parliamentary inquiry into cults of ‘grave concerns’ about churchGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastThe sister of Victorian Liberal MP Renee Heath has described their father’s church as a “cult” and told an inquiry that so-called “gay conversion” practices may still be occurring in the state.Clare Heath-McIvor, daughter of City Builders church pastor Brian Heath, told the parliamentary inquiry into cults and organised fringe groups that leaders of some churches in the New Apostolic Reformation movement, of which her father’s church is a part, believe “God’s law” overrides the state’s.Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available in Australia at 1800Respect (1800 737 732). Children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380 Continue reading...

Oct 13, 2025 - World

European indices rise and cryptocurrencies rebound as new front in trade war looks less severe than feared after Trump postBusiness live – latest updatesEuropean stock markets have edged higher and cryptocurrencies rebounded amid signs that a new front in the US-China trade war may not be a severe as first feared.Tensions between Washington and Beijing escalated again on Friday and over the weekend, as Donald Trump threatened to impose additional US tariffs of 100% on China starting next month. Continue reading...

Oct 13, 2025 - World

Group handed over to Red Cross as Israeli ministers approve list of more than 1,700 Palestinians for releaseGaza ceasefire – live updatesAll 20 remaining living Israeli hostages have been released by Hamas after more than two years in captivity in Gaza.Parents were reunited with sons and children with fathers as those held were handed over to the Red Cross before finally rejoining their families with the help of the Israeli army. Even before their release, Hamas had allowed some of the hostages to make video calls home on Monday morning. Continue reading...

Oct 13, 2025 - World

Scientists have examined the $16.5bn project’s climate impact and found it could expose more than half a million people to unprecedented heatSign up for climate and environment editor Adam Morton’s free Clear Air newsletter hereGreenhouse emissions linked to a gas field being developed by Australian fossil fuel company Woodside could lead to the death of at least 480 people and expose more than half a million to unprecedented heat, new research suggests.Scientists from six universities have examined the climate impact of the $16.5bn Scarborough project, which is expected to start production off the northern Western Australian coast next year and could result in 876m tonnes of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere over three decades. Continue reading...