TRANSCRIPT
- Millions of dollars allocated to a new financial climate package
- At least 10 people die in a nursing home fire in Spain
- David Reynolds clocks the fastest practice time at the Adelaide 500
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A new climate program will combine private capital and Australian aid to spur climate action in some of the world's most vulnerable regions.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the package will boost the efforts of businesses across the Pacific, Southeast Asia and South Asia.
Announced at the COP 29 climate conference, the $126 million dollar top-up to existing aid will offer cheap finance for climate projects.
It comes as Australia prepares to co-chair negotiations where other rich nations are being asked to put more money on the table.
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Spanish authorities say at least 10 people have died and others injured in a fire at a nursing home near Spain's northeastern city of Zaragoza.
The blaze broke out early in the morning in Villafranca de Ebro, about 29 kilometres from the city.
Local media said 82 people had been living in the nursing home, which focused on treating people with dementia and mental health issues.
Local health official Paquita Morata says the staff are traumatised.
"These are very tough moments for the staff of the centre. They treated the residents as if they were their own family. It is a residency not only for elderly, but also young people with mental health problems, who live here as if it were their own home and are very much part of the community of Villafranca del Ebro."
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Sri Lanka's leftist coalition has secured a landslide victory in snap parliamentary elections.
Securing two-thirds of the majority, the victory of the National People's Party alliance signals a rejection of the establishment parties blamed for triggering economic crisis in the country.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake won the presidency in September on a promise to combat political corruption and recover stolen assets.
NPP Secretary General Dr Nihal Abesignhe says the win is momentous.
“People have given us a huge victory and it's historical. They have placed their trust on us and we believe that it's a very, it's a victory to the democratic process of the political system in this country."
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A court in Sydney has heard a police officer who tasered a 95-year-old aged care resident, told another officer he needed to given the circumstances.
Senior Constable Kristian White has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter charges over the death of Clare Nowland, at a Cooma nursing home, last year.
The prosecution has finished presenting its case and the trial will resume on Monday.
A program that supports homeless pregnant women is among the recipients of $47 million dollars in philanthropic funding.
Cornelia House, in Victoria, is supported by the Investment Dialogue for Australian Children - an initiative that brings government and philanthropists together to tackle entrenched disadvantage.
90 women have accessed support through Cornelia House so far, with the majority moving on to long term social or public housing.
Minister for Social Services Amanda Rishworth says philanthropy can help bridge funding gaps.
"Sometimes Government have to fund in a certain way, there's the constitution or other issues, philanthropy have more flexibility, and so how do we get those two groups working together to really deliver funding for the things community want and know will work."
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Four delegates to the South Australian Voice to Parliament have quit.
The state voice is made up of 46 community representatives who were elected in March.
Delegates say they are frustrated with a lack of infrastructure, funding and communication.
The state government says by-elections will be held for the vacant positions in early 2025.
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Experience is proving key in Adelaide, with veteran David Reynolds fastest ahead of a title showdown between Triple Eight youngsters Will Brown and Broc Feeney.
Supercars veterans are setting the pace at the Adelaide 500 with Team 18's David Reynolds clocking the fastest practice time before qualifying.
It comes after 44-year-old Blanchard Racing driver James Courtney set the quickest lap around the Adelaide street circuit on Thursday, putting the table-topping young guns on notice.
Competitors will head into a top ten shootout just after midday on Saturday.
