TRANSCRIPT
- The Northern Territory has a new government
- Two US astronauts stranded in space to remain there until February
- Australian Ben O'Connor holds onto his position as race leader at the Vuelta a España
The Northern Territory has a new government, with the Country Liberal Party defeating Labor and its bid at a third consecutive term in government.
Labor suffered a devastating defeat with a swing of 12.3 per cent to the CLP on a two-party preferred basis, with the ALP gaining just 25.9 per cent of the primary vote.
Chief Minister Eva Lawler was ousted in her seat of Drysdale.
Incoming Northern Territory Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro says it is "the start of a new day and a new chapter".
"As a born and bred second generation Territorian kid, the granddaughter of Italian migrants, I grew up living an iconic Territory childhood - hunting,camping, fishing and playing outside. I always knew the Territory was a special place - and I was lucky to be a Territorian. This result represents a turning point in the Territory's future. And it's a moment of forward momentum for all of us."
**
A leading advocacy group has called for a national strategy to combat drugs in Australia, on the back of new figures that show the number of overdose deaths has doubled in the last decade.
The Penington Institute's Annual Overdose Report says more than 42,000 Australians have died from overdoses since the turn of the century, which is almost enough people to fill the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The Institute says that if governments do not take action, the number of deaths will continue to increase.
He says Australia must stop trying to arrest its way out of drug problems.
**
Two US astronauts stuck on the International Space Station will need to return to earth on a SpaceX vehicle early next year.
US space agency NASA made the decision, determining it is too risky to have the glitchy Boeing Starliner spacecraft make the return trip.
NASA chief Bill Nelson says the issues are with the propulsion system.
"Spaceflight is risky even, and it's safest, and even at its most routine. And a test flight by nature, is neither safe nor routine. And so the decision to keep Butch and Suni aboard the International Space Station and bring the Boeing Starliner home uncrewed is a result of a commitment to safety. Our core value is safety and it is our North Star."
**
Russia and Ukraine have exchanged 115 prisoners of war, with the United Arab Emirates acting as an intermediary.
It marks the first exchange since Ukraine's surprise attack on Russia's Kursk region on the 6th of August, the largest foreign attack on Russian soil since World War Two.
The Russian Defence Ministry says the captured Russian servicemen were from the Kursk region and are now in Belarus for medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared a photo of the Ukrainian prisoners of war wrapped in Ukrainian flags.
Ukraine's human rights commissioner, Dmytro Lubinets, says 82 of the returned Ukrainians defended Mariupol in 2022.
**
Members of the Ukrainian community in Australia have marked Ukraine's Independence Day.
The Ukrainian Council of New South Wales held a flag-raising event at Sydney's Town Hall, which was followed by a speech from 21-year-old Ruslana Danilkina, who fought in the war.
In Melbourne, a church service was held, followed by a rally in Federation Square.
These attendees say it has been important to them to mark the occasion.
"There's air raids and sirens every day. Their electricity has been shut off. It has a big psychological impact on the whole country."
"Having Independence Day is making sure that we are still there. Ukraine is still there. And that that is part of hope that we will be able to come and celebrate it next year."
**
Three-time former champion Primoz Roglic has won stage eight of the Vuelta a España, attacking on the final climb to gain time on overall leader Ben O'Connor.
Roglic managed to break away from the Australian in the red jersey, securing his second stage win.
Spain's Enric Mas finished second, with compatriot Mikel Landa in third.
O'Connor finished 17th, 46 seconds behind Roglic, who also earned a 10-second bonus, reducing the gap to the leader to three minutes and 49 seconds.
