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Catch Up: Today's news in 60 seconds

Your cheat sheet to all the day’s stories: Monday, February 17, 2014.

Family violence has killed seven children in 20 months

Shocking figures have been released by Victorian police since the death of schoolboy Luke Batty  (pictured above with his parents Rosie and Greg) at the hands of his father, which reveal that in the past 20 months seven young children have been killed in family violence attacks in the state. At least six were reportedly killed by a parent or step-parent. Dept-Supt Rod Jouning, the head of Victoria Police’s family violence unit, says children are more at risk of being killed by a member of their family than a stranger.

Three trapped cavers pulled to safety

Three cavers, who were trapped underground for a day in the Bungonia National Park, Goulbourn, have been rescued. The men became trapped last night after heavy rain and what seems to be a rockfall in the caves they were in. Police had searched for the men aged 21, 47 and 52 and reported them missing yesterday. After digging a small hole into the cave, rescuers were able to pull the men to the surface.

Teen girl Craigslist killer: 'I stopped counting at 22'

19-year-old Miranda Barbour has been charged with and admitted to the murder of a man she convinced to visit her in Pennsyvania on website Craigslist. During an honest interview from jail, Barbour also claimed to have killed at least 22 people across the country whilst involved in a satanic cult. Ms Barbour and her husband, 22-year-old Elytte Barbour, had previously pleaded in December not guilty to the murder of Troy LaFerrara, whose body was discovered dumped in an alleyway.

Primary schools dump religion classes

Hundreds of principles across Victoria have discontinued weekly religious education classes according to The Age. Legally, primary schools are obliged to offer 'special religious instruction' classes when accredited teachers are available. However, figures released by the Victorian Education Department reveal that state schools teaching religion have dropped by almost a third over the past two years.

Cate Blanchett dedicates her BAFTA to Philip Seymour-Hoffman

At the BAFTA awards in Britain overnight Cate Blanchett took home the best actress gong for her role in Blue Jasmine and dedicated the award to the late Philip Seymour-Hoffman. Cate said of Hoffman in her acceptance speech, 'you raised the bar, continually, so very very high and all we can do in your absence is try to raise it. Phil, buddy, you bastard, this is for you. I hope you're proud.'