The Loop: Joe Biden accuses Russia of genocide, Rihanna talks pregnancy, George Christensen runs for Senate

Hello. It's Wednesday, April 13, and you're keeping in The Loop with this wrap of today's headlines.

Let's start here

US President Joe Biden has accused Russia of genocide in relation to its invasion of Ukraine. 

His declaration was made in an unlikely place — during a speech in Iowa about fuel prices — but University of Melbourne history lecturer Ángel Alcalde says declarations like this can not only shape international public opinion but also have legal consequences.

And getting sufficient evidence to proceed with charges of genocide can be complex and time consuming (we're talking years, here).

The International Criminal Court, which deals with criminal cases against individuals, has already opened an investigation into the situation in Ukraine.

What else is going on

• Former Collingwood player Héritier Lumumba says he's terminated all communications with Collingwood after spending 15 months working with former teammates and the club to address a string of racist incidents documented in last year's Do Better report

• Western Australia will relax a range of COVID-19 restrictions from midnight tonight. Only household or intimate contacts of a positive case will be considered close contacts, limits on home gatherings will be removed and the requirement to check in using the Safe WA app will be scrapped

What Australia has been searching for online

• Rihanna. The singer has opened up about her pregnancy fears and fashion choices in an interview with Vogue, saying: 

Rihanna and partner A$AP Rocky announced they were expecting in late January. (Vogue: Annie Leibovitz)

• George Christensen. The National Party defector appears on track to receive a $105,000 taxpayer-funded payout after his decision to seek a Senate seat for One Nation despite an unwinnable position on the ticket

One more thing

We're only up to day three of the federal election campaign, and already there's a lot of incorrect and misleading information circulating.

RMIT FactLab recently debunked this image of Scott Morrison, which carried a fake chyron which falsely claimed the Prime Minister said flood victims should be grateful for government assistance. (Supplied)

RMIT ABC Fact Check and RMIT FactLab will be working to stop misinformation in its tracks and will provide vital sources of accurate information throughout the campaign — FactLab has even partnered with Meta (Facebook's parent company) and the Judith Neilson Institute for Journalism and Ideas to identify and debunk misinformation spreading online.

The team from Fact Check has taken a closer look at what to watch for when it comes to what politicians say, and how people can help stop the spread of misinformation. Check it out in more detail here.

You're up to date

Catch you again soon.

ABC/wires