Rolling News Bulletin 1130 AAP Rolling News Bulletin for Jun 22 at 1130
NZ Ferry (WELLINGTON) A ferry servicing the Cook Strait between New Zealand's North and South Islands has run aground in a late-night accident. The Aratere ship, part of the state-owned Interislander fleet, veered into a cliff-face just north of its departure harbour of Picton about 9.45pm on Friday. Peter Reidy, chief executive of owner Kiwirail, said the Aratere nestled into sand - rather than rocks - at around three knots. An unnamed truck driver aboard told news outlet Stuff the crash was "as gentle as could be". Interislander general manager Duncan Roy said there were no injuries and the vessel remained watertight. Mr Roy blamed a "steering failure" for the accident, with navigation websites showing the Aratere turning gradually into the coast rather than heading straight into the Marlborough Sounds, bound for Wellington.
Stab (MELBOURNE) A man remains under police guard at a western Sydney hospital after allegedly slashing and assaulting staff. Police were called to Westmead Hospital about 11.30pm on Friday following reports a man had assaulted several staff members. The 39-year-old allegedly slashed two male security guards aged 24 and 25 causing laceration injuries, a police spokesman said. "They were cut rather than stabbed and there wasn't any penetration," he said. A 29-year-old male nurse was injured in the attack, while a third security guard suffered a dislocated shoulder. The four are "all fine" with minor injuries that were treated on-site and did not require hospitalisation, the spokesman said. The man was arrested and remains under guard at the hospital. He has not been charged and will be interviewed by police once he leaves the hospital.
US Shooting (LITTLE ROCK) A shooter who opened fire at a grocery store in Arkansas left the store and parked cars riddled with bullet holes as bystanders ducked for cover, killing three people and wounding 10 others. The wounded included two law enforcement officers who exchanged fire with the shooter, state police said. The shooting occurred about 11.30am on Friday at the Mad Butcher grocery store in Fordyce, a city of about 3200 people located about 100km south of the state capital Little Rock. Neither the officers' nor the suspected shooter's injuries were life threatening. The remaining injuries ranged from not life-threatening to extremely critical. Police did not immediately say whether the shooting occurred inside or outside the store. Police did not identify the suspected shooter or the victims, but said they expected to release more information Friday night.
Vaping SA (BRISBANE) Vaping has overtaken smoking among young South Australians for the first time with data showing a steep rise in usage. The number of South Australians aged 15 to 29 vaping daily or weekly nearly doubled from 8.4 per cent in 2022 to 15.1 per cent in 2023, according to the state's Population Health Survey Module System. The smoking rate in the same age group was 8.7 per cent. "This new survey result shows the very real danger vaping poses to our kids in South Australia," Health Minister Chris Picton said in a statement on Saturday. South Australians aged 30 to 59 also saw an increase in vape use year on year, albeit a smaller rise than younger people. The study surveyed 3000 people across the state to aid with tobacco control strategies amid the concerning rise in e-cigarette use.
Tourism (SYDNEY) Travel and tourism is expected to contribute more to Australia's economy in 2024 than any previous year on record. Four years after COVID-19 brought the sector to its knees with border closures and widespread restrictions on people movement, it's poised to surpass its 2019 peak by generating $265.5 billion, according to World Travel and Tourism Council forecasts. The projection represents 10 per cent of the nation's economy and follows the industry's long-awaited bounce back to pre-pandemic levels in 2023. The council, which will host its 24th international summit in Perth in October, predicts the robust growth spurt will extend over the next decade. In line with global trends, it says the sector's contribution to the national economy should exceed $345 billion by 2034. More than two million Australian jobs would be supported, representing 12 per cent of the country's workforce.
Mideast Unrest (CAIRO) Israeli forces have pounded Rafah in southern Gaza, as well as other areas across the enclave, killing at least 45 Palestinians as troops engaged in close- quarter combat with Hamas militants. Residents said the Israelis appeared to be trying to complete their capture of Rafah, which borders Egypt and has been the focus of an Israeli assault since early May. Tanks were forcing their way into the western and northern parts of the city on Friday, having already captured the east, south and centre. Firing from planes, tanks and ships off the coast drove a new wave of displacement from the city, which had been sheltering more than a million displaced people, most of whom have had to flee again. The Gaza health ministry said at least 25 Palestinians had been killed in Mawasi in western Rafah and 50 wounded. Palestinians said a tank shell had hit a tent housing displaced families.
Ukraine (KYIV) Ukraine's military is allowed to use longer-range missiles provided by the United States to strike targets inside Russia across more than just the front lines near Kharkiv if it is acting in self-defence, the Pentagon says. US President Joe Biden initially loosened the restrictions on how Ukraine could use US-provided munitions to give it another option to defend the eastern city of Kharkiv from a relentless barrage of Russian missiles. Since the beginning of Russia's 2022 invasion, the US had maintained a policy of not allowing Ukraine to use the weapons it provided to hit targets inside Russia for fear of further escalating the war. Russia has been firing on Ukrainian targets from inside its border, treating its territory as a "safe zone," Pentagon press secretary Major General Pat Ryder said.
Sheep (MELBOURNE) An inquiry backing a ban on Australian live sheep exports was a sham exercise with a pre-determined outcome, farmers say. Peak livestock and farming bodies have savaged a parliamentary committee report, which on Friday backed the government's proposal to end the live export practice by 2028. Australian Livestock Exporters' Council chief executive Mark Harvey-Sutton said the committee's inquiry was a complete waste of time with a foregone conclusion. The consultation effort was purely tokenistic, he said. "The fact that it only took four working days, effectively, for people to be able to put submissions in, that's inadequate," Mr Harvey-Sutton told AAP. "The fact they've rushed two hearings through and only had one week to write their report (shows) this is not a rigorous investigation of this legislation.
In sport ...
RL Dolphins (BRISBANE) The much anticipated return of Tevita Pangai Junior to the NRL has created fireworks and plenty of admiration from Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett and teammates. "I was really pleased with him. He was very good in his first game back," Bennett said after the Dolphins' 30-24 loss to Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. Dolphins prop Josh Kerr agreed. "It is scary to think where Tevita can get to," Kerr told AAP. Pangai Jnr ignited a scuffle with a bone-jarring hit on Trent Loiero that cut the Storm lock in half. Loiero's teammates took exception and a rumble ensued. Pangai Jnr was penalised for being offside but the hit itself was legitimate. "That was awesome. I am all for it. I love that s***," Kerr said.
Oly24 Swi US (INDIANAPOLIS) Caeleb Dressel has earned his first individual race of the Paris Games, winning the men's 50-metre freestyle at the US Olympic swimming trials. Dressel, the winner of five gold m
