TRANSCRIPT
- Hundreds released in a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine.
- Calls for an investigation into petrol price cycles.
- And in cricket, Australian captain Pat Cummins hails thrilling win over India.
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Hundreds of prisoners of war have been released in a deal between Russia and Ukraine brokered by the United Arab Emirates.
Russia says 150 Russians were released. Ukraine says 189 Ukrainians had returned home.
There have been ten exchanges of prisoners of war in 2024, and 59 exchanges overall since the launch the full-scale war in February 2022.
A group of Ukrainian prisoners of war were welcomed home by this Ukrainian official.
"The team of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War has worked to return you home. Many boys and girls have already returned before you but many still remain in Russian captivity. We will return all of them. Today we are happy to welcome you back home, in Ukraine."
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Motoring group NRMA is calling on the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission to conduct an immediate investigation into the adverse effects of petrol price cycles in Australia's largest cities.
Analysis for 2024 found Canberra had the most expensive fuel, averaging more than $1.96 for regular unleaded.
Over the year, that's around $426 more than Perth, which had the cheapest petrol prices.
Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne were ranked second, third and fourth most expensive - despite being the largest markets with the most competition.
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury says fuel prices are hurting families.
"The NRMA is calling on the ACCC to do a deep dive investigation into these cycles in the three bigger cities while they're there they should also look at the nation's capital Canberra which is consistently the most expensive. We do not want Australians paying one cent more for fuel than they need to and that is clearly happening, and in particular, in our three biggest cities, and that has to stop."
The competition regulator says calls for an investigation into the impact of petrol price cycles are a matter for the government, although it does monitor fuel prices daily.
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New South Wales Police will be out in full force today for their biggest operation of the year as the city celebrates New Year's Eve.
A particular focus will be the Sydney Harbour foreshore, where thousands are expected to gather for the annual holiday celebration and fireworks display.
Most of the ever-popular vantage points around the harbour will not be ticketed this year.
Coordinator-General for Transport New South Wales, Howard Collins says people should arrive early to avoid missing out.
"Over a million revellers will come into this city, most of them by public transport. Our first advice is to use public transport, allow extra time and plan your journey. It's the best way to travel in, get here early, get to those vantage points or where you've got to go early because it is really important that you allow that time."
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South Korea's acting President, Choi Sang-mok, has ordered an emergency safety inspection of the country's entire airline operation as investigators work to identify victims and find out what caused the deadliest air disaster on South Korean soil.
All 175 passengers and four of the six crew were killed when a Jeju Air plane belly-landed and skidded off the end of the runway at Muan International Airport, exploding as it slammed into a wall.
The families of the victims have stayed at the airport seeking to be reunited with the remains of their loved ones.
Shin Gyu-ho, a grandfather to two of the teenage victims, told BBC that the wait is incredibly frustrating.
"Their father took them to make happy memories. I've been sitting here all day, waiting for news. I'm so frustrated."
Transport officials are investigating the role of the concrete wall at the end of the runway in the crash.
The embankment held an antenna used to help in landing.
Christian Beckert, a flight safety expert, told Reuters that it was "unusual" to have a structure like this near the runway, and usually there is an engineered material on the surface which allows the plane to sink into the ground, helping to bring it to a halt.
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In cricket,
Australia have beaten India by 184 runs in front of a record-breaking crowd at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Over 51,000 people gathered at the stadium, taking the overall attendance figures throughout the first four days of the five days series to beyond 350,000.
That number surpasses the previous record set during the 1936-37 Ashes series against England.
Australia were inspired by the efforts of Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon to reach a crucial victory that sees them lead the Border-Gavaskar series two-to-one.
Speaking to Fox Sports after the game, the Aussie skipper says he is happy with his performance.
"I won an amazing Test match. That's a good year, I reckon it's one of the best to be a part of. All week the crowds have been ridiculous and the cricket's been just as good so, yeah, pretty happy change room at the moment. Happy to contribute."
The series heads back to Sydney for Friday's Final Test.
