Midday News Bulletin 21 November 2024

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TRANSCRIPT
Dozens of cars were tagged with anti-Israel graffiti in Sydney this morning, in a vandalism attack described by the Prime Minister as disturbing.
Police and fire crews were called to the eastern suburb of Woollahra shortly before 1am after receiving multiple reports of a car on fire.
It was then discovered that several cars in surrounding streets had been tagged with anti-Israel sentiment, along with the door of a unit complex.
Detective Inspector Crime Manager Adam Solah says the attack is intolerable.
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We’re trying to determine the motivation for the offensive graffiti. NSW Police won’t tolerate any form of hate crime or any sort of offensive behaviour that is offensive to the local community. Like I said, NSW police are working closely with the local community to ensure that this sort of behaviour is not acceptable and we’re going to investigate thoroughly what occurred.”
Forensic police have cordoned off several crime scenes, urging anyone with dash cam footage to come forward.
One of the world’s richest people is facing bribery and fraud charges in the United States.
The chair of India’s Adani group, Gautam Adani, is facing charges in connection to an alleged multibillion-dollar fraud and bribery scheme.
Adani and seven other defendants allegedly paid more than $400 million in bribes to Indian government officiaL in return for solar energy supply contracts with the Indian government.
The 62-year-old billionaire and two other executives are charged with misleading U.S. and international investors about their company’s compliance with antibribery and anticorruption practices as they raised more than $3 billion in capital to fund those energy contracts.
A union boss says Woolworths’ performance management program is one of the key issues behind an indefinite strike involving 1,500 warehouse workers.
The United Workers Union [[UWU]] wants the supermarket giant to abandon the program, claiming it promotes an unsafe management approach.
It alleges the current framework pushes staff to cut corners and work unsafely to achieve higher speeds, for fear of losing their jobs.
UWU national secretary Tim Kennedy told Nine Radio the union demands are unequivocal.
“What the workers are calling for is that they want Woolworths to permanently scrap their performance framework because it’s basically unsafe for workers, and dehumanising for workers. We want fair pay.”
The strike is also threatening to leave supermarket shelves bare in the lead up to Christmas.
Pay negotiations between the New South Wales government and transport unions will continue today, in an attempt to keep trains running on Australia’s busiest rail network.
As a three-day shutdown looms, Premier Chris Minns will again meet with Rail, Tram and Bus union representatives.
If no agreement is reached, trains from Newcastle to Wollongong and across Sydney will lay dormant from Friday morning until Sunday night.
There are numerous events in Sydney across that period, including a Pearl Jam concert and six A-League double headers.
CEO of Sydney Trains Matt Longland has told the ABC he’s hopeful of a breakthrough, but is still urging commuters to plan ahead.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers has announced major changes to the investment mandate of Australia’s Future Fund, to prioritise housing and the green energy transition.
The Albanese government has pitched the move as part of its strategy to strengthen the nation’s long-term economic resilience and address pressing national challenges.
The Future Fund was established in 2006 by the Howard government to cover unfunded superannuation liabilities for federal employees.
It traditionally focused on maximising financial returns, but has now been directed to prioritise several key items on Labor’s agenda.
But Mr Chalmers says the fund will still adhere to its commercial focus and expected risk profile.
“First of all, the Future Fund will continue to prioritise returns. We’ve been very clear about that, very upfront about that. What we’re saying is that the Future Fund, which will continue to make individual investment decisions independently, that they should be cognizant of these national priorities.”
Australian Ellie Carpenter will again feature in the Women’s Champions League knockout stage after her Lyon side won their fourth consecutive match of the group stage.
The Matildas right-back played a full game for the eight-time tournament winners and helped them secure a 4-1 win over Roma in France.
After conceding in the 74th minute, the hosts responded with a double from Kadidiatou Diani before fellow substitute Eugenie Le Sommer and skipper Wendie Renard netted.
In other games, Chelsea beat Celtic 3-0 and Real Madrid walked away with a 3-2 victory over Twente.