Hello. It's Tuesday, March 1, and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news.
One thing to know right now: the flooding emergency continues in Queensland and NSW
Here's the latest:
- NSW has recorded its first flood death. The body of a woman believed to be in her 80s was found in a home in Lismore earlier today.
- NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the SES has carried out more than 1,000 rescues after receiving 6,000 calls for help so far. Mr Perrottet said about 40,000 people were subject to evacuation orders.
- Sydney residents have been urged to brace for flooding over the coming days. A severe weather warning is in place for heavy rain and high winds along the NSW coast from Newcastle to Bega.
- Queensland's flood death toll has risen to nine. The body of a 76-year-old man, whose car was swept away at Glen Esk on the weekend, was found today. Authorities are still searching for a 74-year-old man who fell into the Brisbane River from an anchored yacht at Bulimba on Saturday.
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Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the BOM is forecasting severe weather to continue down Australia's east coast for days, flagging there could be impacts seen as far south as Tasmania.
What else is going on: Australia has committed to funding weapons for Ukraine
But first, these satellite images show how Russia's advance on Kyiv has stalled:
In Ukraine, Russian troops have been advancing on Kyiv from Belarus to the north and Russia to the north-east. Advance lines are currently positioned just 25km from the city centre.
Back home, Australia will provide NATO with $70 million to buy missiles and ammunition for Ukraine.
PM Scott Morrison said Australia is getting about 100 visa applications from Ukrainians each day and they're being processed as a "top priority".
What Australians have been searching for online
- Tasmania: The state has been hit by a "major statewide outage" which is affecting internet and mobile phone services. The network fault began about 1pm and is affecting Telstra, Optus and Aussie Broadband customers, along with those of other providers.
- Reserve Bank of Australia: The official cash rate will remain at 0.1 per cent as the RBA watches the unfolding economic fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It means the benchmark official interest rate has been steady at 0.1 per cent for 17 months.
One more thing: Watch the incredible moment an ADF helicopter rescued three people from floodwaters in northern NSW
Mark O'Toole was stranded on the roof of a property near the town of Woodburn with his son, who lives with a disability, and elderly neighbour. The trio were winched to safety off the roof as floodwaters surged around. The operation took 40 minutes.
That's it for now
We'll be back later on with more of the good stuff.
ABC/wires
