Hello, it's Wednesday, March 23. Here's what you need to get caught up on today's news.
One thing to know: Ash Barty has retired from tennis
The world number one shocked the tennis world and her fans today by announcing her retirement from the sport.
The 25-year-old said she first contemplated retiring after winning Wimbledon last year, but winning the Australian Open earlier this year was the perfect way to farewell the tour.
Barty announced the news on her Instagram. Here's what she said:
"I don't have the physical drive, the emotional want and everything it takes to challenge yourself at the very top level anymore.
"I've given absolutely everything I can to this beautiful sport of tennis and I'm really happy with that.
"I know that people may not understand it and I'm OK with that."
Prime Minister Scott Morrison tweeted his congratulations to Barty, thanking her for "inspiring a nation".
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese congratulated Barty on Facebook, saying "as you climbed to the very top, you lifted us all".
Dylan Alcott, who retired from tennis at the Australian Open, tweeted Barty is an "amazing tennis player but even better person".
Former world number one Simona Halep said Barty would be missed on tour, tweeting: "My friend, I will miss you on tour. You were different, and special, and we shared some amazing moments."
Another big story today was the resignation of Hillsong founder Brian Houston
The founder of the global mega-church resigned after an internal investigation found he behaved inappropriately towards two women.
Hillsong last week revealed that an investigation into two incidents involving Mr Houston found he had breached the church's moral code of conduct for pastors and engaged in conduct of "serious concern".
The acting head of the church, Pastor Phil Dooley, announced the news at an emergency all-staff meeting.
Watch the announcement here:
News you might have missed
- Universities Australia has apologised after an independent survey found that one in six students have been sexually harassed at university.
- Neville Power, who once spearheaded Australia's post-COVID task force, received an eight-month suspended jail term for breaching WA's strict border laws.
- Matthew Tilley will spend at least 26 years in jail for the cold case murder of Adelaide shop assistant Suzanne Poll, after a coffee cup linked him to the crime.
- The inquest into Hannah Clarke's death heard details of her estranged husband's controlling behaviour, including demands for daily sex.
The news Australia is searching for
- Ash Barty: As ABC Sport journalist Kate O'Halloran writes, the world number one's shock resignation was in true Barty style — with minimal fuss. Take a look back on Barty's career.
- Craig Thomson: The former federal Labor MP has been granted strict bail after spending the night in custody on the NSW Central Coast, accused of fraud offences and breaching an apprehended violence order (AVO).
One more thing, these sweet schoolkids welcomed their new Ukrainian friend
Proud uncle Denis Visotskiy shared this video on his social media of his nephew, who fled Ukraine just weeks ago, starting his first day of school in Madrid.
The boy's new classmates can be seen giving their new friend, who doesn't speak Spanish, a big group hug as he is welcomed to the class.
According to Spanish media, the boy left for Poland by bus with his mother and younger sister, before travelling on to Madrid where his uncle and grandmother are based. His father stayed behind to fight in the war.
"My nephew at school, his first day, he was a refugee from Ukraine two weeks ago," Mr Visotskiy said.
"Thank you, Spain."
That's it for now
We'll be back tomorrow with more.
ABC/wires
