1. A new report by the Royal Life Saving Society has revealed that there has been a strong rise in the number of Australian children who drown every year. The report shows that 31 children lost their lives in accidents around water last year – more than double the number of children who drowned the year before.
For more information on how you can keep your kids safe, head to the Royal Life Saving Society website.
2. Officers at Scotland Yard are reportedly set to release a picture of a man who could be suspect in the case of missing British girl Madeleine McCann. Sky News is reporting that detectives will release an e-fit image of a man who was seen near the apartments where Madeleine went missing in 2007. UK police are yet to confirm the report
Anyone who knows the man will be urged to contact police.
3. A fire in a garment factory in Bangladesh has killed at least nine people. The fire started at the Aswad Knit Composite factory in Gazipur – a town on the outskirts of the capital, Dhaka, on Tuesday, and burned overnight. The fire consumed a warehouse and two other buildings. This is the latest industrial disaster that has highlighted the country’s poor OH&S record.
4. NSW is expecting a day of extreme weather. Temperatures are set to hit 39 degrees Celsius in Sydney and 42 degrees Celsius in areas of the west. Southern areas of NSW are also expecting winds of up to 120km/h. The state is under a strict fire ban.
5. Senators of the Palmer United Party will reportedly preparing to form a partnership with Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party senator, Ricky Muir. Clive Palmer is yet to confirm the deal, but it’s expected to be announced today. The deal means the Clive Palmer will have the balance of power in the senate.
6. Oil and gas company, Chevron, has been slammed after a prospective employee questionnaire came to light showing that Chevron asks future employees if they have ever had a miscarriage or abortion. The questionaire is part of a medical form – a Medical History and Physical Examination – and Chevron says the questions are voluntary. However, the Maritime Union has said the questionnaire is not acceptable. Matthew Elliott from the union has said: “I find that it’s incredible that any employer believes that they need to know reproductive systems and history of any employee, and particularly the partner or the spouse of an applicant has to disclose that information as well.”
Top Comments
Swimming lesson costs have gone up considerably over recent years (I know I worked at a pool and as a PE teacher) Schools can't afford to subsides it in the budget and parents are struggling to afford to pay monthly costs. I'd also be interested to see the statistics of the backgrounds of the children that have tragically drowned (Go on shout racism at me! *eye roll*) but as a teacher I know that this is a valid point.
Hmm, Japan has been pumping tonnes of radioactive sea water back into the ocean EVERY day since the reactor meltdown... What about all the fish caught in those waters that people are then ingesting?? terrifying!