Saturday's news in less than two minutes.

Woman accused of racist rant gave false name

The woman arrested in relation to a racist rant on a NSW train gave a false name when apologising on television. As reported by Fairfax Media, the woman told Nine News on Thursday night that her name was Sue Wilkins, however her LinkedIn profile suggests that her name is actually Karen Bailey.

Bailey has admitted to appearing in a viral video in which she was allegedly depicted making racist remarks towards a family of Asian descent. She was subsequently arrested and will appear in Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court later this month.

Rolf Harris plaque stolen from WA hometown

A plaque laid by Rolf Harris has been stolen from a footpath in his hometown of Bassendean, Perth. The Eastern Reporter writes that the plaque was stolen after a council decision to remove it and keep it in safe storage in perpetuity following the announcement that Harris had been found guilty of 12 instances of indecent assault.

At the same meeting the council agreed to remove Harris’ artwork from the council chambers, as well as strip him of his ‘Freemanship of the Town’. Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the plaque is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Explosion at Victoria’s highest security prison

Police are investigating an explosion at Barwon Prison, Victoria’s highest security prison which is home to some of the state’s worst offenders. The explosion occurred as objects were being moved during a search of an empty cell as part of a routine intelligence search. The incident is not being viewed as malicious, and no one was injured.

Slender Man alleged attacker ‘mentally incapable’ for trial

A 12-year-old girl who allegedly attacked her classmate after being inspired by online myth Slender Man has been declared ‘mentally incapable’ to stand trial. The assessment was made by a doctor under court order. It is expected that the order will be challenged by the prosecution. The Wisconsin girl and her friend, also 12, are accused of stabbing a fellow classmate 19 times, resulting in her hospitalisation.

Kurdistan seeks independence from Iraq

The autonomous region of Kurdistan is preparing for a referendum to become independent from Iraq. Kurdish president Massud Barzani announced the referendum in parliament on Thursday, after rapid expansions in the territory under Kurdish control in recent weeks. The US has opposed the move, encouraging Kurdistan to side with Baghdad against ISIS.

Catholic Church officially recognises exorcism under canon law

Pope Francis has codified exorcism into the Catholic Church’s law, by expressly approving the statutes of the denomination’s largest group of exorcists. According to L’Osservatore Romano, the statutes of the International Association of Exorcists, a group of 250 priests operating across 30 countries, have been passed into canon law. Pope Francis seems more committed to the practice of exorcism than his recent predecessors, having been filmed allegedly performing an exorcism on a boy in a wheelchair last year.

Air New Zealand ad pulled after public petition

Air New Zealand have pulled an in-flight safety video after a change.org petition accused the airline of sexualising women’s bodies. The ad, which was released in conjunction with Sport Illustrated’s 50th anniversary, features models in bikinis on the Cook Islands. An Air New Zealand spokesperson has said that the video was not pulled due to the petition, and had merely come to the end of its run.

NASA set for deep-space travel after approving most powerful rocket yet

NASA has approved production of its most powerful rocket ever. The rocket in question, the Space Launch System, aims to travel to Mars by the end of this decade, as well as explore near-Earth asteroids and the moon. The rocket’s initial test flight is expected for 2017.

American Apparel slammed for using image of Space Shuttle Challenger explosion

American Apparel has come under fire after an image of the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion was uploaded to their Tumblr account tagged ‘smoke’ and ‘clouds’. The Space Shuttle Challenger exploded just 73 seconds after lift-off in 1986, killing the seven astronauts on board.

The image was promptly removed, and American Apparel apologised via Twitter:

With our sincerest apologies: pic.twitter.com/BOF43jScV0

— American Apparel (@americanapparel) July 3, 2014