Midday News Bulletin 8 November 2025

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Source: SBS News

Indigenous activists from the Amazon, Mexico and Indonesia attend the UN climate summit in Brazil; Grammy nominations for Australian artists; and in cricket, the Melbourne Stars unveils the team's new First Nations jersey.


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TRANSCRIPT
  • Indigenous activists from the Amazon, Mexico and Indonesia attend the UN climate summit in Brazil
  • Grammy nominations for Australian artists
  • And in cricket, the Melbourne Stars unveils the team's new First Nations jersey
World leaders and officials have started to arrive in the Brazilian city of Belem ahead of the official proceedings of the UN climate summit, COP 30 on Monday.

At this stage, Anthony Albanese is not planning on attending, though Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen will arrive for the second week of talks from November 17.

Dr Simon Bradshaw - from Greenpeace Australia Pacific - has told SBS the Prime Minister's attendance would be valuable to help strengthen Australia's bid to co-host next year's event.

"Now Australia is aspiring to host the next COP next year. And that really is an opportunity to do it better. To make sure it is a COP where everyone is able to participate. And where we are really backing in the longstanding legacy of climate leadership - and limiting warming ot 1.5 degrees, moving beyond fossil fuels, making sure support is accessible to communities who need it most."

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A flotilla of Indigenous activists from all over the world has been sailing 3,000 kilometres down the river to attend the U-N climate talks in the Brazilian city of Belem.

The Yakumama Amazonian Flotilla departed from the Cayambe glacier in the Ecuadorian Andes, descending different rivers until reaching the great Napo, whose waters merge with the Peruvian Amazon.

On board are more than 60 Indigenous activists, artists and communicators not only from the Amazon, but also Guatemala, Mexico, Panama and Indonesia.

Brazilian Indigenous activist Vanesa Apurina, says those on board share a common purpose.

"We have in common the resistance, and the struggle for the permanence of our environment. We are facing threats from large corporate projects — mining companies, deforestation, illegal fishing. And policies and bills should be implemented to guarantee the protection of Indigenous territories.

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Google plans to build a large artificial intelligence data centre on Christmas Island.

Documents reviewed by Reuters news agency show the deal was signed by Australia's Department of Defence earlier this year.

Christmas Island Shire officials told Reuters that Google is in advanced talks to lease land near the island's airport to construct the data hub, aND And there is a deal with a local mining company to secure its energy needs.

Plans for the data centre on the island have not previously been reported, and many details including its projected size, cost and potential uses, remain secret.

However, military experts say such a facility would be a valuable asset on the island, which is increasingly seen by defence officials as a critical frontline in monitoring Chinese submarine and other naval activity in the Indian Ocean.

Comment was sought from Google and the Defence Department - none was provided.

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Australians are among those nominated for the 2026 Grammy Awards.

Three Australian acts are among the nominees: Kevin Parker of Tame Impala, Melbourne-based punk bank Amyl and the Sniffers, and alternative dance group Rüfüs Du Sol.

The 28-year-old Australian raised K-Pop singer-songwriter Rosé - also known as Roseanne Park - has made Grammy history as the first K-pop solo act to earn a nomination.

The member of BLACKPINK scored three nominations with her track 'APT'.

The ceremony will be held next year in February in Los Angeles.

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In cricket, Melbourne Stars have revealed their new First Nations jersey.

Test quick Scott Boland and Wurundjeri artist Alex Kerr worked together to develop the design, which is a tribute to the Stars’ supporter base, Melbourne’s natural environment, and the MCG.

Kerr says it also tells the story of sky Country and its meaning for Wurundjeri peoples.

"This represents the Melbourne Stars and the connection it has with our communities. Then on the sleeves we've got the connection we all have to Country (Indigenous phrase) - it flows through the heart of the city. Then of course on the back, we've got representing Scotty Boland and his number. You know this is a meeting place, but it also represents the MCG. And it holds a very special connection not only to us as Wurundjeri people, but the entire Kulin nation - of coming together and sharing that one place as one."

The jersey will be worn by the club in their game against the Adelaide Strikers at the MCG on January 13.

It will also be worn during the WBBL fixture against the Sydney Thunder on December 6.

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