WHAT IN THE WORLD

THE DEGREE OF UNEMPLOYMENT

AUSTRALIA

A 30-year Australian government plan to increase university graduate numbers has succeeded, albeit at a cost. New studies show that one in four graduates can expect to be unemployed in the months after completing their degree. A 2019 graduate outcome survey by QILT found 27.4 per cent of graduates were still unemployed or employed in an unrelated field in the four months following their degree completion. A review in 2008 predicted the supply of graduates would exceed the demand in the workplace by 2010.—The Conversation

PAID LEAVE AFTER MISCARRIAGE

NEW ZEALAND

Couples who suffer miscarriages will be given three days' paid leave. The new legislation, which makes New Zealand one of the world's first countries to provide this level of cover, will now cover miscarriages at any point in the pregnancy—not just stillbirth miscarriages after 20 weeks. The legislation doesn't include pregnancy terminations.—The Strait Times

SATAN SHOES

WORLD

Prominent rapper Lil Nas X has been widely criticised for launching a shoeline named "Satan Shoes". The shoes have a pentagram hanging above the laces, contain a drop of human blood and feature the inscription "Luke 10:18" on the side. Only 666 pairs are being produced, and while they resemble a Nike Air Max 97 shoe, the company has denied any involvement.—BBC News

CHRISTIANS RESPOND TO COVID-19

WORLD

Evangelical Christian charity World Vision has reached 59 million people worldwide with its response to Covid-19, according to new findings. 124,000 faith leaders and 1300 churches in the United States were involved in the project, which included donating 3 million boxes of fresh food through the United States government's "Farmers to Families" initiative.—Christian Headlines

THE WORLD GAME

Association Football is the most popular sport in the world with 4 billion fans.

—World Atlas

Women's soccer is one of Australia's fastest growing sports with 1.95 million active participants in 2019.

—FFA Media

Brazilian star Neymar is the most expensive player of all time, transferring from Barcelona to Paris Saint Germain for $A401 million.

—Statista

Liverpool star goalkeeper and devout Christian Alisson Becker performed more baptisms than the number of goals he conceded in the first few games of 2020.

—The Sun