Entity Index
1 direct match plus 68 related mentions across person references, story text, source records, and indexed tags.
![When Arthur Bently Worthington embarked upon his return voyage to Christchurch from Tasmania in 1897, he must have been aware that his arrival there was unlikely to be accompanied by the same degree of fanfare and enthusiasm that greeted him when he first set foot in the city, in 1890. In December 1895 the ‘tall and handsome’ American with ‘steel-blue greyish and expressive eyes’, whose real name was Oakley Crawford, had suddenly departed Christchurch, having spent the previous five years in residence there building up and ministering to his flock of acolytes, the ‘Students of Truth’, converts to his new religion. In reality, the charming Worthington was a notorious confidence trickster, having previously travelled the length and breadth of the United States bigamously marrying and swiftly defrauding the many wealthy women who crossed his path – abandoning them, and any children that he may have fathered along the way. His liaison with Mary Plunkett, the ‘wife’ who accompanied him to New Zealand in 1890, was the first to diverge from this pattern. Worthington met Mary, the editor of a Christian Science journal and wife of a notable businessman, in New York in 1889, whilst posing as a faith-healer for the sect, and quickly won her over. It wasn’t long before the two, accompanied by her two children, fled America, as Mary’s former husband had begun to unravel Worthington’s shameful and shocking past. In Mary, Worthington had found a woman whose charisma and beauty perfectly complemented his own, and hoards of Christchurch residents soon fell prey to their peculiar brand of proselytisation. Many in Christchurch willingly parted with their cash, and in some cases even mortgaged their homes, to further the religion, and to furnish the couple’s lifestyle. This extended even to the erection of a magnificent columned edifice, the Temple of Truth, in Latimer Square in 1892 (and the lavish private residence attached to it for the couple), within which Worthington preached his self-styled revivalist ‘rational form of Christianity’ to large congregations several times a week, and his insights into reincarnation and sexology for a smaller, more select audience. It was the latter that provoked an outcry – the Methodists first, and then the other denominations expressed their moral outrage at Worthington’s doctrine of free love, and as details of his sordid past started to emerge, and whispers grew about the sexual ‘goings on’ within the group, things began to heat up for him. Creditors were soon seeking financial reparation in the courts from Worthington for bad loans, a schism occurred within the group which culminated in Mary leaving Worthington (historian Geoffrey Rice in Christchurch Crimes and Scandals 1876-99 speculates that this was likely on account of Worthington’s sexual promiscuity - he quickly moved on and ‘wed’ a young parishioner, however), and New Zealand authorities moved to have him extradited by the United States. No wonder then that he fled for Australia at the close of 1895. What is more surprising is his decision to return in 1897 – presumably to have ‘another crack’ at the citizenry of Christchurch via a series of lectures at the Oddfellows’ Hall in September. During his third lecture, on 26 September, an angry crowd thought to number 6000 amassed in the street outside the building; the police found themselves unable to placate the mob and felt that they needed to read the Riot Act – doing so for the first time in Christchurch’s history. In 1899, Worthington finally made a permanent departure from New Zealand – though the events in Christchurch didn’t deter him from continuing his life of crime, and he died in prison in New York in 1917. Entries in the Police Communications Book, such as those pictured, record the frantic attempts of the police to prepare for and contain the anger on the streets of Christchurch. Archives New Zealand’s Christchurch Regional Office holds a wealth of historical material relating to the Canterbury and Westland areas, and this book can be viewed in person in our Christchurch Reading Room. Archives New Zealand/Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga Christchurch Regional Office [Archives Reference: CH439/26].](/assets/images/2026-08-02T14-38-51-238Z-sri-lanka-deploys-troops-to-contain-riot-at-overcrowded-mahara-prison-wikimedia-1280.webp)
An inmate was killed and six others wounded as inmates destroyed multiple facilities inside Mahara Prison near Colombo.
Showing 1-24 of 69 articles.
general
President Donald Trump reportedly favors FIFA President Gianni Infantino for the United Nations' top post, citing his global respect and unifying leadership.
Fox News Latest | Jul 22, 2026, 2:41 AM%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M0%20706%20L1536%20432%20L1536%201024%20L0%201024%20Z%22%20fill%3D%22%239fd2d6%22%20opacity%3D%220.18%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M1060%200%20L1536%200%20L1536%201024%20L1250%201024%20Z%22%20fill%3D%22%23c23b22%22%20opacity%3D%220.38%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Crect%20x%3D%2284%22%20y%3D%2288%22%20width%3D%22210%22%20height%3D%2218%22%20fill%3D%22%23c23b22%22%2F%3E%0A%20%20%3Ctext%20x%3D%2284%22%20y%3D%22164%22%20fill%3D%22%23ffffff%22%20font-family%3D%22Arial%2C%20Helvetica%2C%20sans-serif%22%20font-size%3D%2264%22%20font-weight%3D%22900%22%3EGENERAL%3C%2Ftext%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E)
general
Launched during America’s 250th anniversary, the J250 Initiative aims to educate the public on Jewish American patriots and leaders amid rising antisemitic attacks.
Fox News Latest | Jul 15, 2026, 2:25 PM
general
Following the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster faces the task of appointing a temporary replacement as President Donald Trump hints at a favored candidate for the upcoming special election.
Fox News Latest | Jul 12, 2026, 4:49 PM
general
Sheriff Chris Nanos reveals investigators are reviewing tens of thousands of video clips and releases ransom notes as the search for the missing 84-year-old continues.
Fox News Latest | Aug 1, 2026, 11:39 AM
general
Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito warns of growing social media fraud schemes as nationwide arrests highlight identity theft in benefit programs.
Fox News Latest | Aug 1, 2026, 10:42 AM
world
Following widespread opposition from football governing bodies and FIFA insiders, Infantino has withdrawn his controversial proposal to sell World Cup profits to private equity investors.
Africanews | Aug 1, 2026, 7:58 AM
general
Following strong opposition from UEFA and the resignation of a senior adviser, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the organization will not proceed with its proposal to sell stakes in future World Cup competitions to private investors.
ABC Top Stories | Aug 1, 2026, 1:05 AM
general
The Department of Homeland Security has taken its largest single-day enforcement action to date by adding 43 Chinese companies to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act blacklist, barring their products from entering the United States.
ABC Top Stories | Jul 31, 2026, 7:45 PM
world
FIFA’s chief operating officer Kevin Lamour criticized President Gianni Infantino’s proposal to sell stakes in future World Cup profits, stating staff were misled and urging rejection of the plan amid internal resignations and external opposition.
Al Jazeera | Jul 31, 2026, 6:40 PM
world
Carlos Cordeiro steps down in protest against FIFA's proposal to seek private investment in World Cups, calling it detrimental to football's future.
Al Jazeera | Jul 31, 2026, 10:19 AM
us
Blood donations in the US have dropped to a four-year summer low, leaving less than a day’s supply of type O positive blood, the most commonly transfused type.
Guardian US | Jul 30, 2026, 6:30 PM
general
The proposed agency would replace several existing ethics offices and have subpoena power to investigate presidential misconduct, including that of former President Donald Trump.
Fox News Latest | Jul 30, 2026, 3:00 PM
world
Drivers warn that ending the subsidy could increase monthly operating costs by up to 33%, as ongoing Middle East conflict keeps oil prices high.
South China Morning Post World | Jul 30, 2026, 6:54 AM
world
Russian air strikes killed at least 13 in Ukraine, including in Kyiv and western cities, prompting Poland to scramble fighter jets to protect its airspace.
CNA Latest News | Jul 30, 2026, 1:34 AM
world
A new report reveals a record rise in antisemitic attacks worldwide in 2025, with Germany experiencing the highest number of incidents both in absolute and relative terms.
Deutsche Welle | Jul 29, 2026, 10:29 PM
politics
At a contentious Senate hearing, Dr. Anthony Fauci declined to answer questions about COVID-19 origins, highlighting ongoing political divisions over the pandemic response.
CBS Politics | Jul 29, 2026, 4:40 PM
general
The Department of the Treasury has introduced a new online portal incentivizing Americans to report fraud, money laundering, and sanctions violations, as part of a broader anti-fraud campaign led by Vice President JD Vance.
Fox News Latest | Jul 28, 2026, 7:27 PM
politics
Funeral services for Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham begin in Washington before continuing in his native South Carolina, with tributes from political leaders and a military honor.
NBC Politics | Jul 27, 2026, 7:22 PM
politics
As President Trump nominates Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, questions arise about his suitability amid comparisons to historic standards of legal integrity.
The Hill | Jul 27, 2026, 12:52 PM
politics
Efforts to increase disclosure of political fundraising could affect Freedom 250, the group behind America's 250th birthday event linked to former President Trump.
CBS Politics | Jul 27, 2026, 10:49 AM
general
Japan hosts 60,000 U.S. troops, co-produces advanced missile systems, and deepens defense cooperation to deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific region.
Fox News Latest | Jul 27, 2026, 9:12 AM
general
A federal panel rejected claims that Tennessee's new congressional map dilutes Black voters' power, allowing the GOP-favored map to stand for the August 6 primary.
Fox News Latest | Jul 24, 2026, 5:34 PM
general
Former US women's soccer star Megan Rapinoe says President Trump's actions disrupted the US men's team's underdog momentum ahead of their defeat to Belgium in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Fox News Latest | Jul 24, 2026, 12:20 AM