We hope you’re enjoying your Easter long weekend! We’ve rounded up the news for you so you don’t have to.
Warning: this post deals with sensitive issues.
1. Man dies saving a seven year old girl.
A 30 year old man has been hailed a hero after he lost his life trying to save a seven year old girl who was struggling at Fingal Head in Northern NSW.
Paramedics attempted CPR on the man after he was pulled from the surf but were unsuccessful.
Another man, 21, also helped to save the young girl, and was taken to hospital.
2. Brussels attacks suspect shot by police.
Belgian police have shot and detained a terror suspect as part of Europe-wide terror raids
The suspect was shot in the leg at a tram stop in daylight, in the Schaerbeek district where police found a bomb factory linked to the Brussels attacks . Investigators say he was linked to a European jihadist cell, that has ties to not only this week’s tragic attacks in Brussels, but also November’s Paris attacks.
Police also say the cell was plotting a new French attack.
The arrest comes in the wake of the arrest of 34 year old Reda Kriket in France, who was convicted in a case alongside Paris attacks ringleader Abdelhamid Abaaoud. Explosives were uncovered at his home.
A total of nine people have been arrested in the last 24 hours.
31 people were tragically killed and 300 were left injured in Tuesday’s attacks at Brussels airport and metro.
Residents were left shaken after the arrest. Post continues after video.
3. Islamic State’s second-in-command killed.
The Pentagon has announced the death of Islamic State’s deputy leader during a US raid, while Syrian troops have recaptured the ancient citadel in Palmyra.
Abd ar-Rahman Mustafa al-Qaduli, also known as Abu Alaa al-Afri, was thought to have been killed in May 2015. He is being labelled as the group’s top finance officer.
“We are systematically eliminating ISIL’s cabinet,” Pentagon chief Ashton Carter told reporters.
It is unknown whether al-Qaduli was killed in a bombing raid or a drone strike, nor whether the attack occurred in Syria or Iraq.
Syrian troops backed by allied militia have made fresh gains in Palmyra nearly a year after IS captured the UNESCO World Heritage Site, which sparked global concern.
4. Search continues for missing nurse Gayle Woodford.
Police are continuing their frantic search for the missing nurse, who was abducted from outside her home in Fregon this week. They are using GPS data from a stolen ambulance.
While an arrest has been made in relation to her disappearance, major searches have failed to find any trace of Ms Woodford.
The 36 year old man, from the same remote community as the missing nurse, was found at the wheel of the ambulance Ms Woodford had been using.
“We’ve got grave fears for the safety of Gayle, very grave fears, but at this stage we are hoping for the best,” said Major Crime Detective Superintendent Des Bray.
A major search in the town of Marla and surrounding areas was undertaken by local police, SES volunteers and STAR Group officers yesterday, after witnesses reported seeing her ‘distressed’ early Thursday morning.
However, police believe the report was incorrect.
If you have any information, please call police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
5. Man charged with murder after body found in old mine.
A 26 year old man has been charged with murder, after the body of a 56 year old man was discovered two weeks ago in a disused mine in northern Victoria.
The remains of the man from Mooroopna were identified after the release of an image of a T-shirt found on the body.
The suspect had been assisting police when he was charged. He faced an out-of-sessions court hearing and will appear in court on Tuesday.