TRANSCRIPT
In this bulletin;
- At least two children dead after a stabbing attack at a UK dance class;
- The Australian Federal Police reports an increase in Human trafficking;
- And in sport, Australia wins another gold and silver at the Paris Olympics.
Police in UK say at least two children are dead and several others are in a critical condition after a stabbing attack at a dance class in the seaside town of Southport, in northwest England.
Police have described it as a "ferocious attack" and have arrested a 17-year-old male.
The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, says the events at Southport are truly awful.
"I know the whole country is deeply shocked at what they have seen and what they have heard. And I know I speak for everyone in the whole country in saying, our thoughts and condolences are with the victims, their families, their friends and the wider community. It's almost impossible to imagine the grief that they are going through and the trauma that they are going through."
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The Australian Federal Police is reporting an increase in human trafficking and slavery.
According to the data released as part of the United Nations’ World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, there was a 12 per cent increase in the 2023-2024 financial year.
In the last financial year, the AFP received 382 reports of modern slavery and human trafficking offences – including 91 cases of forced marriage, 69 cases of forced labour, 59 cases of sexual exploitation, and 21 cases of domestic servitude.
This is up from 340 reports in the previous financial year.
AFP human exploitation commander Helen Schneider believes the increase is due to growing public awareness of these crimes in Australia.
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The federal government is keeping an "hour by hour" watch on regional airline Rex amid rising concerns the carrier is in financial trouble.
Regional Express' shares went into a trading halt on the Australian stock exchange on Monday following recent boardroom turbulence and multi-million dollar earnings losses.
The Transport Workers Union is saying 2,000 jobs are in jeopardy as a result and that workers deserve certainty.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC news he is concerned for communities who depend on the airline.
“Through the department. We will continue to monitor what happens there. Rex is particularly important for regional communities, and there are a range of communities in in New South Wales, in Queensland, in South Australia and right around the country that rely upon Rex, where Rex is the only airline to go to some of those destinations.”
The trading halt is expected to be in place until on Wednesday, when the airline plans to make an announcement.
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In sports,
Australian swimmer Molly O'Callaghan is not satisfied with her Paris Olympics performance, despite winning her first gold medal in an individual event.
The 20-year-old defeated opponent and fellow Australian Ariarne Titmus in the women's 200m freestyle final in Paris.
Ms O'Callaghan set a new Olympic record in one minute and 53.27 seconds, while Titmus trailed by more than half a second.
