Latest news with #BenHall
Fox News
9 hours ago
- General
- Fox News
From Atheism To Becoming A Nun: Sister Theresa Aletheia's Story
She became an atheist at just fourteen years old due to the suffering she saw in the world and problems she observed within the Catholic Church. Fast forward to now, she's a nun who has fully devoted her life to Christ and her mission: finding God in the midst of misery and providing a safe space for those who have been hurt by members of the Church. Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble, co-creator of Sisters of the Little Way, joins Ben to discuss the epiphany that led her back to her faith, and the practice that landed her on the front page of The New York Times: 'memento mori,' a discipline centered around intentionally thinking about your death in order to ultimately improve the life you live. Follow Benjamin on X: @BenjaminHallFNC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Daily Mail
19-05-2025
- Climate
- Daily Mail
Stunning photograph captures 'once-in-a-lifetime' transformation in Australian outback
Stunning photographs have captured Queensland 's dusty outback burst alive with wildlife following months of major flooding. Channel Country, in the state's south-west, has turned into a green wonderland with locals calling it a 'once in a lifetime opportunity' for tourists to experience. The region suffered months of flooding following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in February and Tropical Cyclone Dianne in March. Some parts of Queensland's interior received more than double their average annual rainfall in March alone. Floodwaters are expected to flow through the Channel Country's intermittent waterways to reach the Lake Eyre basin in June. Images from the air showed rivers and streams crossing the land, surrounded by bright green grass. Pelicans were spotted flying over the inland region, thousands of kilometres from the sea. Locals said the natural spectacle was an extraordinary sight that should not be missed. 'Mother Nature has put on this great show for us,' Quilpie Shire Mayor Ben Hall told 7News. 'The country looks absolutely amazing. It is something to behold,' Murweh Shire Mayor Shaun Radnedge said. He said it was a 'once-in-a-lifetime' opportunity to see the region cloaked in green. Tourists have already begun travelling to the region, and interest in flights over the area is surging. Outback Queensland Tourism has urged visitors to see nature's display while it lasts. 'The outback's open. the roads are ready. The towns are waiting. And Mother Nature is putting on the show of a lifetime,' CEO Denise Brown said. The region's event calendar is packed over the next few weeks with opera in Winton and Longreach, fishing competitions, and dozens of race meets. Ms Brown said some of the events had been postponed during the wet period, but none had been cancelled. In March, more than 13 councils spanning more than 500,000sq kilometres across Queensland had flood warnings or watches in place. Many areas were evacuated by land and helicopter as floodwaters surrounded entire towns. Much of the region was cut from power and internet connection. Locals and business owners shared images of roads completely submerged, with residents walking in water up to their knees.
7NEWS
18-05-2025
- 7NEWS
Flood-hit Outback turns lush green in stunning once-in-a-generation transformation
The unforgiving red earth of the Australian outback has undergone a jaw-dropping transformation — and locals are calling it a 'once in a lifetime opportunity' to witness Mother Nature at her finest. After months of devastating floods triggered by the double punch of Cyclones Alfred and Dianne, the vast, sun-scorched heart of Queensland has now burst into colour and life. Where there was once dust and drought there is now grass, greenery and flowers stretching as far as the eye can see. 'Mother Nature has put on this great show for us,' southwest region Quilpie Shire Mayor Ben Hall said. 'The smell ... the fragrance ... the beauty ... the vastness of the fields of wildflowers.' From above, the Channel Country of southwest Queensland resembles a network of veins — rivers and streams pumping lifeblood into the land, reviving grasses, blooms and everything in between. Birds fly in, tourists to follow With the landscape coming alive, wildlife has surged back, too — including a rare inland appearance by pelicans, spotted wheeling across the skies thousands of kilometres from the sea. As floodwaters continue to flow through the region, much is expected to reach Kati-Thanda–Lake Eyre — potentially filling the salt basin in South Australia for the first time in years. 'The country looks absolutely amazing ... it is something to behold,' Murweh Shire Mayor Shaun Radnedge said. 'It's a once in a lifetime opportunity.' Grey nomads are already making the trip, and scenic flights over the revived terrain are in high demand. Locals say it is one of the most dramatic transformations the region has seen in decades. Some areas hit hardest by flooding received more than double their average annual rainfall, creating the perfect conditions for vegetation to thrive. Locals say it only happens once in a generation and are urging Aussies to hit the road and see it for themselves. The stunning change has brought vibrant colour and a renewed sense of hope, especially for tourism operators hit hard by cancellations and months of flooding. Roads open, towns ready, festivals on The once-barren landscape is now bursting with life — and the outback has rolled out the green carpet for visitors. 'The outback's open. The roads are ready. The towns are waiting. And Mother Nature is putting on the show of a lifetime,' Outback Queensland Tourism CEO Denise Brown said. From Opera in the Outback in Winton and Longreach, to fishing competitions, the Shire Shindig in Thargomindah, and dozens of country race meets, the region is bursting with events. 'We've had over 250 festivals planned across the Outback,' Brown said. 'Some have been postponed, sure — but none cancelled. 'Now's the time to come and visit and spend some of the tourism dollars in these regions. 'It's time to come back and see the outback like you've never seen it before.'
Sydney Morning Herald
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
They came, they flipped, they conquered: Why these Aussies have a lot to cheer about
The routine lasted just 2½ minutes, but behind it lay the long hours of training that have made a Melbourne team world champion cheerleaders. The Prodigy team from the Pure Allstars Cheerleading & Dance Sports Club in Burwood successfully took out all its competition at the Cheerleading Worlds last month in Orlando, Florida, returning victorious with the coveted gold trophy. It's the first time an Australian team has walked away with the top prize in its category at the international competition. The preparation took hours of work, including tumbling drills, strength training and practising air stunts. Teammates Ben Hall and Ciara Heffernan had been taking part in cheer for a decade before going on to compete in the US last month at the championships. Hall, 18, who has also been coaching at the gym for a year, said getting to perform alongside the best in the world was a surreal experience. 'It took a long time for the win to actually sink in because no Australian team has ever won at world championships before … when we found out that we jumped up to first place it was a pretty big deal,' he said. Heffernan, who can maintain a wide smile while simultaneously doing a flip and being thrown in the air, said the team had a strong bond.
The Age
11-05-2025
- Sport
- The Age
They came, they flipped, they conquered: Why these Aussies have a lot to cheer about
The routine lasted just 2½ minutes, but behind it lay the long hours of training that have made a Melbourne team world champion cheerleaders. The Prodigy team from the Pure Allstars Cheerleading & Dance Sports Club in Burwood successfully took out all its competition at the Cheerleading Worlds last month in Orlando, Florida, returning victorious with the coveted gold trophy. It's the first time an Australian team has walked away with the top prize in its category at the international competition. The preparation took hours of work, including tumbling drills, strength training and practising air stunts. Teammates Ben Hall and Ciara Heffernan had been taking part in cheer for a decade before going on to compete in the US last month at the championships. Hall, 18, who has also been coaching at the gym for a year, said getting to perform alongside the best in the world was a surreal experience. 'It took a long time for the win to actually sink in because no Australian team has ever won at world championships before … when we found out that we jumped up to first place it was a pretty big deal,' he said. Heffernan, who can maintain a wide smile while simultaneously doing a flip and being thrown in the air, said the team had a strong bond.
