Midday News Bulletin 14 Dec 2025
In this bulletin;
- Search for the suspect behind a shooting at Brown University in the United States;
- Million dollar fines for supermarkets under a ban on excessive pricing, and in cricket,
- The Hobart Hurricanes celebrate winning their maiden title in the Women's Big Bash League.
Two people are dead — and eight others injured — after a shooting at an Ivy League school in the United States.
The incident occurred during final exams held in the engineering building of Brown University on Rhode Island.
Authorities say the situation is evolving and the number of causalities could rise.
Timothy O'Hara, deputy chief for Providence Police, says they are still looking for the shooter.
"Preliminarily all we have is a suspect that was a male dressed in black. It is unknown how he entered the building, but we do know he exited through the Hope Street side of that complex. We're talking to witnesses at this time and delving into video that is in the area. And the investigation is very active and ongoing. We will be updating you. But as I said there is no suspect that is under arrest. So please stay out of the area."
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The European Commission President has welcomed the release of 123 political prisoners from Belarus, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ales Bialiatski and opposition activist Maria Kalesnikava.
In a statement posted on social media, Ursula von der Leyen said the development must strengthen the resolve to keep fighting to free all remaining political prisoners in Belarus.
The release came as part of a deal brokered by the US, with the Trump administration agreeing to lift sanctions on potash, a key component in fertiliser and a major export item for Belarus.
US envoy John Coale says around 1,000 remaining political prisoners in Belarus could be released in the coming months.
"That's a logistical problem to get about 1,000 people and to get them out; and get them to where they are supposed to be. I think it is more than possible that we could do that. I think it is probable. But it is going to take some more time. Maybe in a few months that can happen."
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A ban on the excessive pricing of groceries will take effect from July 1, next year.
Australian supermarkets could face fines of $10 million per breach, three times the value of the benefit derived; or 10 per cent of the company's turnover during the preceding 12 months.
In March, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission found the near-duopoly enjoyed by Coles and Woolworths gave them little incentive to compete vigorously, noting they were among the most profitable supermarkets in the world.
But the report never directly accused the supermarkets of price gouging, something both Coles and Woolworths have consistently denied.
It did not make a finding on, or seek to define whether supermarket prices were "excessive", since high margins are not prohibited under consumer laws.
The Assistant Minister for Competition, Andrew Leigh, says the laws aim to boost competition and fairness in the supermarket sector.
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United Nations experts who have spent the last week inspecting Australian jails and detention centres have urged Australian authorities to implement comprehensive reforms to reduce the levels of Indigenous incarceration.
In a statement, the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention said Indigenous women are imprisoned at over 20 times the rate of non-Indigenous women, and noted that over 30 Indigenous persons have died in custody this year alone.
Chair-Rapporteur of the body, Ukrainian lawyer and judge Ganna Yudkivska, told SBS News more energy needs to go into prevention and co-designing solutions with First Nations communities.
"And the key issue we learn here — the main resources should not go into building more prisons for more people, but they should go to the community-led and the community-oriented prograns. Like what we have seen in the Justice Reinvestment project, which we invite Australia into those programs."
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To sport now and in cricket,
The Hobart Hurricanes have won their maiden WBBL title with a dominant win over the Perth Scorchers in Hobart.
Player of the Match, Lizelle Lee, hit an unbeaten 77 from 44 to help the team seal an eight-wicket win.
It's the highest ever individual score in a WBBL Final.
Hurricanes captain Elyse Villani told Kayo Sports, it's an amazing feeling to be crowned the champions.
"To be able to say that I am a Big Bash champion is something that I didn't think would necessarily happen. And I can't believe it has, to be honest. Yeah, just the belief that we have built over the last couple of years. The game plan, and I guess to see it come perfectly together. And the girls having fun, playing swith a smile, expressing themselves and playing without fear. That is what it is all about. And it is amazing."
