Average household water, sewerage bill to rise by $89 in Canberra | The Canberra Times

SummaryFormer Australian Test cricketer Michael Slater, 55, was sentenced to four years in prison for domestic violence offences, including choking, stalking, assault, and burglary, but will be released on a suspended sentence after serving over 12 months in custody. The offences occurred on Queensland's Sunshine Coast in December 2023, with Slater also sending abusive messages to a woman. Slater, who has a history of mental health issues and alcohol addiction, played 74 Tests for Australia...

SummaryThe Great Southern Football League (GSFL) welcomes the 2025 season, expressing gratitude to life members, club presidents, staff, and volunteers for their efforts in preparation. The season kicks off on April 25 with an Anzac Day match between Railways and North Albany, and the GSFL will feature live game day streaming, thanks to John Douglas and sponsors like Rainbow Coast Insurance Brokers. Acknowledgments also go to directors Kathleen Mier and Geoff Brady for their support...

New Zealand First has proposed a bill defining women and men by biological sex, which would exclude legal recognition of trans individuals. Leader Winston Peters argues that this legislation is necessary for societal clarity, while opposition leader Chris Hipkins criticizes it as a distraction from pressing economic issues. The bill follows a recent UK court ruling that only biological women qualify as women under equality law, highlighting ongoing global debates about transgender rights and the...

On their 24th wedding anniversary, Vanessa Bryant honored her late husband, Kobe Bryant, by sharing a nostalgic photo on Instagram, reminiscing about their private wedding in 2001. The couple, who had four daughters together, including the late Gianna, have been memorialized through various projects, including the upcoming release of "Mamba & Mambacita Forever," featuring over 100 murals and stories celebrating their legacy. Vanessa continues to express her grief while focusing on uplifting her family, stating...

US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania plan to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, marking Trump's first foreign trip since taking office. Pope Francis, who died at 88 from a stroke and heart failure, will be buried at Rome’s Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, following his wishes for a modest ceremony. The funeral is expected to draw global leaders, with arrangements discussed by cardinals in the Vatican shortly after his passing....

Pope Francis' Final Wishes A posthumously published document reveals that Pope Francis desired his remains to rest in the Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major, one of Rome's major papal basilicas. In his spiritual testament, he requested a simple burial without lavish adornments and arranged for a benefactor to cover the costs. He specifically chose a burial niche between the Pauline and Sforza Chapels, emphasizing his lifelong devotion to the Virgin Mary and expressing hopes...