Latest news with #blessing
RNZ News
3 days ago
- RNZ News
Jailed blessing scam pair may have victims in Australia
Photo: 123RF New Zealand Police have revealed that two individuals convicted of fraud relating to a blessing scam in May are wanted by authorities in New South Wales. Three Chinese nationals - Guoli Liang, 50, Baodi Wu, 59, and Huanyan Chen, 53 - were arrested at Auckland International Airport in November as they attempted to catch flights to China. Police said at the time the trio arrived in New Zealand in October and began operating a scam in which they deceived people into believing that they or their loved ones were cursed or in danger. Victims in Auckland and Christchurch were pressured to hand over cash or jewellery in packages and told not to open them after being blessed or risk undoing the ritual. The trio were alleged to have swapped valuable items during the ceremony, leaving victims with packages filled with worthless contents. The trio were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment in May, police said in a statement on Friday. The 59-year-old and 53-year-old women would be eligible for parole shortly, the statement said. "New Zealand Police has worked closely with counterparts in New South Wales Police to support their operation targeting this scam ring," said detective inspector Aaron Pascoe, a police liaison officer based in Sydney. "Through information sharing between agencies, we have come to learn [that] two individuals convicted in Auckland City's investigation are wanted [for] arrest in New South Wales," Pascoe said. "Extradition proceedings are in the process of being considered by NSW Police, and NZ Police are providing support in relation to that process. "Criminal syndicates won't hesitate to operate across borders, and this just shows that law enforcement will counter this with a united front to hold offending to account where it is occurring." In November, detective senior sergeant Craig Bolton said blessing scams had predominantly targeted Chinese communities, exploiting cultural beliefs in spiritual healing and curses. "This type of fraud has been active in New Zealand for more than 15 years, with a notable rise in cases in Auckland in recent years," he said. Bolton called on members of the Chinese community to raise awareness with elderly relatives about the scam's prevalence.
Yahoo
31-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Athletico bring in priest to bless training ground and break the pact 🙌
After betting on a pact last year, Athletico seems to have decided to go down an "opposite" path to escape the bad moment. According to journalist Monique Vilela, a priest was called to bless all the departments of the club this Thursday (31). The initiative was taken by President Mario Celso Petraglia. He reportedly heard from close people that the pact was hindering Athletico's season. At the moment, the team is in 11th place in Serie B and has not won for four rounds in the championship. Athletico takes the field this Thursday to face São Paulo in the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. The beginning of the pact The club launched the pact campaign on social media in October of last year. There were nine rounds left until the end of the Brasileirão and Athletico was trying to avoid relegation. In the first match after the video was posted on social media, the team beat Cruzeiro 3 x 0. However, Athletico also had four losses and two draws in the final nine matches of the championship and could not escape from the Z4. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here. 📸 Heuler Andrey - 2022 Getty Images
Daily Mail
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Tim Tebow and Miss Universe wife welcome first child together... and reveal heartwarming story behind baby's name
Tim Tebow and his Miss Universe wife have welcomed their first child together. The 37-year-old college football icon and his model wife Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters announced the news with an emotional post on Instagram on Monday. The couple shared a series of black-and-white photos of themselves in the hospital alongside their new daughter. The caption read: 'Our daughter is here! We couldn't be more grateful for the blessing and gift of this new little life. 'We're so grateful to the whole medical team that assisted us in the best way possible during my labor and delivery. From our doctor to our nurses and all the hospital staff — we are so grateful and thankful for you. 'To my sweet friend @hannahjanoe thank you for capturing one of the most special moments of our lives so perfectly. 'Thank you to everyone who's been praying with us over her arrival. We are so incredibly thankful for all of the love and support we've felt. 'We can't wait to share her name with you soon'. However, it didn't take long for that announcement. Just hours later, the couple returned to Instagram to share a joint post which revealed their daughter's name. The post read: 'Meet our daughter, Daphne Reign Tebow. 'Daphne is a name that's been close to my heart since I was a little girl. I never got to meet my mom's mother, but her sister, Daphne, stepped in as a grandma figure to me. 'And Reign… it's a name that holds so much meaning. But more than anything, her name reminds us that when you're adopted into God's family, you become a child of the King. You were made to rule and reign—not in power, but in purpose, love, and identity. 'So here she is — our daughter. Our answered prayer. Daphne Reign Tebow — created in the image of God. Royalty as His princess. Our biggest prayer over her is to reign in God's purpose for her life'. The couple first announced the news that they were expecting a child back in January in a joint Instagram post. The birth of their daughter comes five years after the couple got married At the time, the couple wrote: 'We're over the moon to step into parenthood together'. Tebow and wife married in 2020 and are celebrated their fifth wedding anniversary on January 20. After brief stints with Denver Broncos and New York Jets, the Philippines-born star Tebow was only used in the offseason or as a practice squad member by New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles and Jacksonville Jaguars before being released by the latter in 2021. He has also tried his hand in professional baseball in recent years, signing a minor league baseball contract with the New York Mets in 2016 and playing outfield for the organization for five years.
Khaleej Times
07-06-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
UAE lottery: 19-year-old Emirati woman 'in shock' after winning Dh100,000
For a 19-year-old Emirati woman from Sharjah, an ordinary day at work turned into an unforgettable moment when she discovered she had won Dh100,000 in the UAE Lottery 's Lucky Chance Draw. 'I was at work when I logged into my account and saw the message: Congratulations! I just sat there staring at the screen in shock,' she said. 'Later, I received a confirmation call, and that's when it really sank in. It felt surreal, like a huge blessing from God.' Choosing to remain anonymous, the young winner shared how a chance encounter with a short video led her to take a leap of faith. 'It was actually a short story I watched on my iPad that got me thinking,' she said. 'It was about how people wait for change without taking the first step. That inspired me. I searched for lotteries in the UAE and came across this one. I started setting aside a small amount each month to participate. And now, here I am!' Rather than spend the money lavishly, the Sharjah resident plans to use her winnings mindfully. 'I want to do something good with part of the money as a way of giving thanks,' she said. 'I also plan to buy a car eventually and save the rest for the future.' Reflecting on the experience, she said the win has changed her outlook on life. 'It reminded me that taking small chances can lead to big rewards - not just financially, but also in belief and hope,' she said. 'Sometimes just showing up or taking that first step can make all the difference.' Though she hasn't yet told her family, she shared the news with her best friend. 'She's always been by my side. I plan to do something special for her if I ever win the grand prize.'
The Independent
18-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Pope Leo's heartwarming gesture to babies on his first popemobile ride
Pope Leo XIV made a heartwarming gesture during his first ride in the popemobile on Sunday, 18 May, by blessing two babies in front of thousands of well-wishers. The pontiff delivered his inaugural mass in the Vatican's St. Peter's Square after replacing Pope Francis, who died on 21 April after leading the Catholic Church for 12 years. Ahead of the formal ceremony, the pontiff greeted enthusiastic crowds, estimated to reach around 150,000 people, during his first ride in the open-top popemobile. Faithful held flags and cheered 'Viva il Papa!' as Leo, the first American pope, waved back to them as he looped slowly through the square.
