TRANSCRIPT
- Sydney to Hobart race winners delay celebrations due to tragedy.
- Israeli forces raid one of the last hospitals in northern Gaza.
- And in cricket, Australia allrounder Sophie Molineux will undergo knee surgery, ruling her out of the women's Ashes.
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Crews competing in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race are pushing into their third day at sea as they mourn the deaths of two sailors killed in rough weather.
Organisers are adamant the race will continue despite the loss of life - the first since 1998, when six sailors died in storms, triggering reforms to safety protocols.
South Australian Nick Smith, 65, and 55-year-old West Australian Roy Quaden were killed in separate incidents on Thursday's first night of racing as their vessels made their way down the NSW south coast.
LawConnect has delayed celebrations after claiming back-to-back line honour wins in the race.
The supermaxi was first across the River Derwent finish line at 2.35am today in a time of one day, 13 hours, 35 minutes and 13 seconds.
LawConnect's Tony Mutter says it's been a sad day despite the win.
"I just want to say we're very happy to be here, to have our second win in a row. We obviously hugely disappointed in the news that we've heard during the race with the loss of a couple of fellow competitors and our heartfelt condolences go out to all the friends and family of those competitors. Yeah, sad news, the crew."
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Israeli forces have raided the Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of the last medical facilities functioning in northern Gaza, ordering dozens of patients and hundreds of sheltering Palestinians out of the site and leaving part of the building on fire.
Hospital director Abu Safiya and dozens of his staff have reportedly been detained while the health ministry claims Israel is intentionally burning the facility down.
The Israeli army denies these claims and has accused Hamas of using the facility.
Kamal Adwan Hospital has been hit multiple times over the past three months by Israeli troops amid their devastating assault on Gaza which has killed over 45,400 Palestinians so far.
Stephanie Tremblay, a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General says the hospital is likely the last one operating in this part Gaza.
"Sick and injured children are going into this hospital, were going into this hospital to get treatment. Sick and injured men, women were also going there with medical personnel risking their lives in some cases to continue to provide services to people who really need it. And this is why we continue to call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. We continue to call for the protection of all medical facilities in Gaza."
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One home has been lost and a number of structures have been destroyed as the Grampians bushfire continues to burn out of control in Victoria.
Cooler, settled conditions have given fire crews a chance to begin damage assessments, but the more than 640km-perimeter blaze that has scorched 74,000 hectares is expected to burn for weeks to come.
State Control Centre spokesman Luke Hegarty says Residents from Halls Gap can return home but they will have to show proof of address, and have been urged to watch conditions closely.
Emergency services have also reported significant livestock losses.
Meanwhile a total fire ban has been issued for NSW's northern slopes region, as dry conditions, gusty winds and temperatures into the high 30s descend on Tamworth, Wydir, Inverell and Liverpool Plains.
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Australia's most famous New Year celebration fireworks are expected to be watched by up to 1.5 million people in Sydney and another 400 million people globally.
The event is expected to deliver the city an economic benefit of $280 million, according to organisers.
There will also be more firing positions across the Harbour Bridge – increasing to 264 from 184 last year – with 80 positions added to the western side for the first time.
Fortunato Foti, director of Foti International Fireworks says the new positions will allow more people in other parts of the city to enjoy the fireworks.
"So for the first time, we're firing on the western side of the bridge, so from the lower cord and the gantry. So we're trying to give the West the same sort of feel as what the East is doing and getting. We've got the indigenous meeting place ring shells that will form part of the New Year's Eve, midnight and 9:00 PM as well as kaleidoscope shells and shell of shell barrages. There is going to be a lot happening, but it's coming together and we're looking forward to it."
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Australia allrounder Sophie Molineux will undergo knee surgery, ruling her out of the women's Ashes.
Molineux, who captained the Melbourne Renegades to the WBBL title last month, is the biggest name missing from Australia's 13-player squad for the three ODIs of the multi-format series against England.
Hard-hitting batter Grace Harris will be added to the squad for the T20s.
Molineux missed the recent ODI series in New Zealand, with Australia confirming the 26-year-old would have surgery in January.
Captain Alyssa Healy has been selected, after only playing as a batter and not taking the gloves against the White Ferns.
