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Hello, Nick Halls with the top stories on ABC News.
At least fifteen people have died after a plane carrying ninety-three passengers and five crew members crashed near the city of Almaty(al-mah-tee) in Kazakhstan shortly after take off. Sixty-six people have been hospitalised, with several in critical condition. Emergency services are scrambling to find survivors in the wreckage.
The federal government could soon announce financial support for volunteers who spend long periods away from work, while fighting bushfires in the on-going crises. The veterans' affairs minister, Darren Chester broke ranks with the PM, suggesting compensation needs to be considered for volunteers whose income has been affected. Defence minister Linda Reynolds says Scott Morrison is closely considering extra support.
Four super-maxis are battling it out in Bass Strait on day two of the Sydney to Hobart. The supermaxis have picked up pace with wind gusts of up to 30 knots this afternoon. Comanche has hit the lead with Infotrack close behind, followed by Scallywag and Blackjack who are less than two nautical miles away. Ichiban remains in first place for overall handicap honours.
And a dominant batting position from Travis Head has put the Australians in a commanding position late on the second day of the Boxing Day test. Head's 114 helped the Baggie Greens notch up a first innings total of 467. New Zealand enters day three on forty-four, having lost two early wickets just before stumps.
And those are the latest stories from ABC News.
