Headlines: Aussie surfer Molly Picklum claims world title

This evening's headlines include:

The death toll from an earthquake in Afghanistan has surpassed 800, according to the United Nations humanitarian agency. 

The latest wave of Israeli strikes in Gaza has killed at least 31 people. 

An illicit 500kg cocaine import has been intercepted by federal authorities at the Australian border.

And today’s good news: Australian Molly Picklum has won her first world surfing title, defeating 2023 world champion Caroline Marks in the final at Cloudbreak in Fiji. 

Hosts: Emma Gillespie and Lucy Tassell 
Producer: Elliot Lawry

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:05):
From the Dahlias.

Speaker 2 (00:06):
I'm Emma Gillespie, I'm Lucy Tassel.

Speaker 1 (00:09):
It's Tuesday, the second of September. Here's what's making headlines
this evening.

Speaker 2 (00:15):
The death toll from an earthquake in Afghanistan has surpassed
eight hundred, according to the United Nations Humanitarian Agency. The
magnitude six quakes struck eastern Afghanistan on Monday morning Injuring.
At least twenty eight hundred Rescue crews are working to
find survivors, with ongoing landslides and after shocks hampering efforts.
The Taliban run government has called on the international community

(00:38):
to provide aid. Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the
impacts of the earthquake devastating. Our thoughts are with the
Afghan people as well as the Afghan community in Australia.
She said the Department of Foreign Affairs is now working
with the UN and aid groups on the ground to
establish the extent of the damage as part of relief efforts.

Speaker 1 (01:00):
Wave of Israeli strikes in Gaza has killed at least
thirty one people. It follows a weekend of bombardment which
the Israeli Defense Forces claimed killed a Hamas chief military spokesperson.
At least thirteen people were killed in Gaza City on Monday,
according to health officials. The IDF declared the city of
combat zone last week as it continues preparations for its

(01:22):
planned takeover of the strip. The proposal has drawn widespread
criticism from global democracies. Meanwhile, the International Association of Genocide
Scholars has passed a resolution condemning Israel's actions in Gaza.
Out of its five hundred members, twenty eight percent took
part in the vote and eighty six percent of those

(01:42):
who voted supported the resolution. The IAGC ruled Israel's policies
and actions in Gaza quote meet the legal definition of
genocide and constitute war crimes. The Israeli Foreign Ministry called
the resolution quote an embarrassment to the legal profession and
to any AKID standard.

Speaker 2 (02:03):
An illicit five hundred kilo cocaine import has been intercepted
by federal authorities at the Australian border. Investigators received information
that the drugs were being stored by a crime syndicate
in a shipping container in Sydney. According to the Australian
Federal Police, a false wall in the container was concealing
five hundred and six blocks of cocaine. Three men have

(02:23):
since been arrested and charged in relation to the drugs,
which have an estimated street value of one hundred and
sixty four million dollars. Two of the men, aged twenty
five and thirty eight, are facing life imprisonment. The third suspect,
of forty two year old, was released on bail after
being charged with dealing with money believed to be proceeds
of crime. Investigations are continuing.

Speaker 1 (02:47):
And today's good news, Australian Molly Picklam has won her
first World Surfing title, defeating twenty twenty three world champion
Caroline Marx in the final at Cloud Break in Fiji.
After losing 'sing the opener of the three heat final,
Picklum surged back with total scores of fifteen point eighty
three and sixteen point nine to three out of twenty

(03:08):
to claim the WSL championship. After the victory, the twenty
two year old said she couldn't believe it. I didn't
make it easy for myself, she said, quote. I was
pretty excited and made it hard, but I locked in
and did what I've done all year the world Surf
League Finals is a one day winner takes all shootout
featuring the top five men's and women's surfers from the season.

Speaker 2 (03:31):
That's the latest from the Dallyos newsroom. If you're looking
for something else to listen to, you can check out
today's deep dive on if age verification technology is ready
for the government's under sixteen social media ban.

Speaker 1 (03:42):
We'll be back with another deep dive tomorrow, but until then,
have a great night.

Speaker 2 (03:48):
My name is Lily Maddon and I'm a proud Arunda
Bunjelung Calcotin woman from Gadighl Country. The Daily oz acknowledges
that this podcast is recorded on the lands of the
Gadighl people and pays for respect to all Aboriginal and
torrest Rate island and nations. We pay our respects to
the first peoples of these countries, both past and present.