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“It’s a national shame that in a wealthy, developed country like Australia, we have tens of thousands of families and young people – many of whom are grappling with domestic violence – without a safe place to call home.”
Kate Colvin, CEO of Homelessness Australia, after new data showed more than 76,000 children sought help from national homelessness services in 2022/23.

17.5 million
The number of Australian viewers who tuned in to the first week of the Olympics across Channel 9, 9Gem and 9Now. 'VOZ' ratings figures combine unique viewers from live/broadcast TV and streaming. Nine said the first week of its broadcast from Paris delivered "the highest weekly reach in VOZ history."

2023
‘Barbie’ surpassed $US1 billion ($AU1.53 billion) in ticket sales worldwide, making Greta Gerwig the first solo female director of a film to pass that milestone.

Starting yesterday, Queenslanders will pay no more than 50 cents per public transport journey.

The one-way flat rate applies to state-wide services including buses, trains, ferries, and trams, regardless of distance.

The Qld Government announced the initiative in May, which will continue for the next six months.

It hopes the 50-cent fares will reduce traffic congestion and encourage more people to use public transport, after a 13% decline in public transport participation since the pandemic.

Qld commuters will pay 50 cents per journey until February. Commuters will still need to tap on and off for each journey.

The Qld Government estimates an office worker from Brisbane’s outer suburbs will save about $800 over the six-month initiative.

Commuters who travel from the Gold Coast to Brisbane could save over $2000.

Miles acknowledged buses and trains “might be a little busier from today,” but said the Government “will be keeping a close eye on our networks at every step.”

Transport Minister Bart Mellish said the state’s public transport network has “the capacity,” for a boost, with current uptake “sitting at around 87% of pre-COVID levels.”

Train services to and from Brisbane Airport are not included in the 50-cent scheme, but fares for the service have also been reduced from today, down 50% to about $11.

Election

Queensland voters will head to the polls for a state election in October.

When he announced the initiative in May, Miles dismissed suggestions that the 50-cent fares are a re-election strategy, saying he’s wanted to introduce the measure “for a long time”.

The Premier has indicated hopes of extending the initiative past February depending on uptake and if Labor is returned to government.

Opposition

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli told the ABC that the LNP is “keen to see” how the public transport trial “unfolds”.

In May, Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie told the ABC that Queenslanders would be “cynical” of the announcement, given its timing ahead of the election.

Reporting by Chloe Christie.

More than 90 people have been arrested after violent far-right protests spread across England this weekend.

It follows last week’s stabbing attack in Southport, which left three children dead.

Authorities have blamed misinformation surrounding the attacker’s identity for a wave of anti-immigration demonstrations.

Speaking to government ministers on Saturday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, “The right to freedom of expression and the violent disorder we have seen are two very different things.”

Last Monday, three children were killed in a stabbing attack on a Taylor Swift-themed school holiday dance class.

Multiple other children and two adults were injured during the incident in the northwest English town of Southport.

The victims were named as Bebe King (6), Elsie Dot Stancombe (7), and Alice Dasilva Aguiar (9).

A 17-year-old boy has since been charged with murder, as well as attempted murder. Police have confirmed he was born in Wales.

Following the stabbing, far-right groups spread disinformation online about the alleged suspect’s identity.

This included speculation from far-right politician, Nigel Farage, who questioned authorities for ruling out terrorism as a motive for the stabbing.

Rumours about the suspect then led to riots on the streets of Southport, where demonstrators clashed with police, set fires and threw bricks at a local mosque.

Police believed the unrest was led by supporters of the English Defence League, a far-right Islamophobic group.

Rioters also attended a planned vigil for the stabbing victims, which Starmer said was “hijacked” with “violence and thuggery.”

Larger protests have since emerged elsewhere across England, with violence intensifying in Liverpool, Bristol and Manchester over the weekend.

Rioters set cars and buildings alight, while several police officers have been injured.

In London, hundreds took to the streets and chanted anti-immigration slogans.

Around 25 people were also arrested in the city of Hull, where rioters attacked a hotel believed to be used to house asylum seekers.

Hull City Council Leader Mike Ross said he was “appalled” by the actions of protesters in Hull, and across England.

“Those responsible don't speak for Hull,” he said. “Rather, they stem from a small group of criminals intent on bringing division, conflict, and fear to our city.”

More than 100 people were arrested last week, while another 90 protesters were taken into custody on Saturday.

Farage later said he did not condone street violence, but said “tens of millions of people” were living in fear and unease after the stabbing.

UK PM Keir Starmer said the riots, are “not protest” and “not legitimate”.

“It’s crime and violent disorder”.

Starmer said he “utterly” condemns “the far-right thuggery we have seen this weekend.”

During an address on the weekend, the PM said those directly involved in the violence as well as those spreading disinformation online, “will face the full force of the law.”

His comments come days after the UK Government laid out their “national response” to the unrest.

Starmer’s plans to “clamp down on criminal and violent disorder” include increased sharing of local and national police intelligence, and expanded use of facial recognition technology.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the police had the Government’s “strong support.”

“We will work with senior police officers across the country to make sure there is rapid intelligence sharing and swift action to stop violent disorder and make sure criminals pay the price.”

Reporting by Harry Sekulich and Emma Gillespie

Introducing: Betty’s Bowls

Betty’s Burgers is here to satisfy any and all food cravings with their latest menu addition: Betty’s Bowls!

You and your bestie can choose between the all-new gourmet Grilled Salmon Super Bowl or the fresh and tasty Grilled Chicken Avo Bacon Bowl for the ultimate fix. For only $16, Betty’s has you covered for lunch, dinner and anything in between.

Protein-packed and Delish!

Whether you’re looking for an exciting new dinner option, or a way to shake up your weekly lunch order, Betty’s Bowls has you covered.

Head to Betty’s Burgers and try the new Betty’s Bowls or order via the Betty’s app today.

It comes ahead of new legislation in WA to limit the number of guns a person can lawfully own. Licensed gun owners can receive up to $1,000 if they hand in their weapon at any WA Police station under a scheme set to wrap up at the end of this month.

Other changes include regular mandatory health assessments for gun owners, and compulsory training for all prospective gun licence holders.

Reporting by Emma Gillespie.

Amid the Kamala Harris-Donald Trump noise of the last few weeks, it’s easy to forget there is another person running to be U.S. President — Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Currently polling at around 6%, the son of Presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy and nephew of President John F. Kennedy has made headlines for his belief that children shouldn’t be vaccinated. This week, he landed on the front pages for a different reason: he admitted that in 2014, he left a dead bear cub in NYC’s Central Park as a prank.

Kennedy admitted this freely and of his own volition, in a video posted to his X account, saying he felt he had to come out ahead of the story after getting a call from a fact checker at The New Yorker about an upcoming article.

The Presidential candidate said he and some “friends” picked up the dead bear cub after another driver killed it, and he put it in his car to butcher and eat later. Then, when he realised he wasn’t going to have time to do so before hopping on a flight, he said he left the bear’s body in Central Park with an old bike he’d also, coincidentally, been planning to get rid of. The plan was to make it look like the bear had been killed by a cyclist.

…Here I was thinking the U.S. election cycle had already peaked!

Anyhow, it remains to be seen what else the article will reveal.

Reporting by Lucy Tassell.

Last week, the man who admitted to being the architect of the 9/11 attacks, and two of his alleged accomplices, agreed to a plea deal. In order to avoid the death penalty, the men would plead guilty to charges of murder.

Then, over the weekend, the White House intervened. In today’s deep dive, we’ll explain the lead up to the historic plea deal and how it was overturned.