This is The Loop, your quick catch-up for this morning's news as it happens.
Key events
Live updates
That's all for The Loop this morning
By Tom Williams
Thanks for joining us today. If you're catching up, here's a bit of what we've covered (click the link to jump straight to the post):
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Victoria set to ban Nazi salute, following weekend rally
- Putin welcomes China's "constructive role" in Ukraine, on eve of Xi's visit
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Emergency operation underway to deal with millions of dead fish
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Thousands without power as strong winds hit Adelaide
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Australia levels fresh sanctions against Iran for human rights abuse, supporting Russia
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Major bank Credit Suisse to be taken over by UBS in emergency deal
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South African corruption investigator shot dead
You can keep up-to-date with other news on the ABC's website, by subscribing to our mobile alerts, and by watching News Channel or listening to local radio here.
Yep, the cast of Ted Lasso are meeting the Bidens at the White House
By Tom Williams
In news I wasn't expecting this morning, it's been confirmed that US President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will host the cast of the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso at the White House on Monday, local time.
The event is said to be to promote mental health and well-being.
Jason Sudeikis (who plays the title character) and other members of the cast will meet with the Bidens "to discuss the importance of addressing your mental health to promote overall wellbeing," the White House said.
It's unclear if Sudeikis will bring the Bidens any fresh shortbread biscuits.
Cast members expected to be in attendence include: Hannah Waddingham, Jeremy Swift, Phil Dunster, Brett Goldstein, Brendan Hunt, Toheeb Jimoh, Cristo Fernandez, Kola Bokinni, Billy Harris, and James Lance.
It also appears the US president might have a "Believe" sign up on one of the Oval Office doors.
I'm not sure how Apple managed to line up such a huge PR play, but it's no doubt impressive.
90-year-old charged over fatal Sydney crash
By Tom Williams
A 90-year-old woman has been charged over a fatal crash in Sydney's north-west last year.
Emergency services were called to Rembrandt Street in Carlingford on December 1, following reports a car had hit two teenage boys who were walking on the footpath.
A 17-year-old boy died at the scene while another 17-year-old boy suffered a head injury and was taken to hospital.
The 90-year-old woman was last night charged with negligent driving occasioning death and will appear before Burwood Local Court in May.
Fernando Alonso gets his third place reinstated in Saudi Arabia
By Jessica Riga
It's been quite the morning in Formula 1, to put it lightly.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso has celebrated his 100th F1 podium after Saudi Arabian Grand Prix stewards reversed a penalty decision that had demoted him from third to fourth.
The stewards said in a statement they had reviewed new evidence presented by the team, including video footage showing seven similar previous incidents where teams had not been penalised.
The decision meant Mercedes's George Russell dropped back to fourth from third.
Victoria set to ban Nazi salute, following weekend rally
By Tom Williams
Victoria's Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes has confirmed the state will amend its laws to ban the Nazi salute, following Saturday's rally outside state parliament in Melbourne, where some men performed the gesture.
"The behaviour we saw on the weekend was disgraceful and cowardly — it's clear this symbol is being used to incite hatred not just towards Jewish people but our LGBTIQ community and other minority groups," she says in a statement.
"While we wish making these laws wasn't necesary and it will take some work, we want to be clear — we will always challenge antisemitism, hatred and racism from taking root in Victoria."
Earlier this morning Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto said he would be open to supporting a ban on the Nazi salute.
Search resumes for Sydney man lost in the Blue Mountains
By Tom Williams
A search has resumed this morning for a Sydney man who went missing while canyoning in the Blue Mountains.
The 39-year-old St Ives man was canyoning with a group at the Wollangambe River, Mt Wilson when he went missing about 3pm on Sunday, NSW Police said.
Officers began searching the water and surrounding areas, with help from Police Rescue and PolAir, but it had to be suspended at 7pm due to low light.
Thousands without power as strong winds hit Adelaide
By Tom Williams
Thousands of people are without power across Adelaide as wild winds continue to lash the city.
Winds of up to 50 kilometres per hour are expected to hit the Adelaide Hills and foothills this morning.
Close to 30,000 premises are without power across Adelaide, and more than 150 incidents of fallen trees have been reported.
Modbury and Redwood Park in Adelaide's north east are among the worst-affected suburbs, with more than 3,000 people without power there.
Putin welcomes China's "constructive role" in Ukraine, on eve of Xi's visit
By Tom Williams
Russian President Vladimir Putin has welcomed China's willingness to play a "constructive role" in solving the Ukraine crisis, in an article released on the eve of a visit by his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.
In what the Kremlin said was an article written for a Chinese newspaper, Putin called Xi his "good old friend" and said Russia had high hopes for his visit — the Chinese leader's first to Russia since Putin's invasion of Ukraine began last year.
"We are grateful for the balanced line of (China) in connection with the events taking place in Ukraine, for understanding their background and true causes. We welcome China's willingness to play a constructive role in resolving the crisis," Putin said.
Xi and Putin signed a "no limits" partnership agreement weeks before the invasion of Ukraine.
China has publicly remained neutral in the Ukraine conflict, while criticising Western sanctions against Russia and reaffirming its close ties with Moscow.
Multiple welfare payments are increasing today
By Tom Williams
Australians receiving Centrelink benefits will feel some relief today as March indexation takes effect across many payments.
All payments are increasing by roughly 3.7 per cent — but here's how things are changing for each one:
- Age pension, disability support pension and carer payment: The fortnightly payment for a single person will increase by $37.50. Fortnightly payments for people on one of these payments who are in a partnership will increase by $28.20 per person
- ABSTUDY and JobSeeker: The base ABSTUDY and JobSeeker rate for those aged 22 years and over will increase by $24.70 a fortnight. The rate for those on ABSTUDY or JobSeeker who are over 60 or have a dependent child will increase by $26.60. Those on ABSTUDY and are also in a partnership will see their payments rise by $22.50 per partner
- Parent payment: If you are a single parent you'll see a fortnightly payment increase of $33.90. If you're a partnered parent, your payment will increase by $22.50 per partner
Australia levels fresh sanctions against Iran for human rights abuse, supporting Russia
By Shiloh Payne
The federal government has issued fresh sanctions against Iranian entities and individuals for human rights violations and for supporting Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says the measures include sanctions against:
- Four members of the Morality Police, responsible for the arrest and detention of Mahsa 'Jina' Amini. The 22-year-old was arrested in September last year for "improperly" wearing her hijab, and died in custody. Her death led to widespread protests by women across Iran
- 14 Iranian individuals and 14 entities, who are facing financial sanctions and travel bans
- Senior law enforcement officials and military figures, like those in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
- 13 people and another entity for supplying drones to Russia which had been used to target Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure during the invasion
Senator Wong says the listings demonstrate that "there will be consequences for those who provide material support to Russia".
"Australia stands with the people of Iran and with the people of Ukraine," Senator Wong says.
Victorian opposition leader: "We will not tolerate any association with neo-Nazis and white supremacists"
By Tom Williams
A Victorian Liberal MP is set to be expelled from the partyroom after she attended a rally associated with right-wing extremist groups and neo-Nazis.
Legislative council member Moira Deeming attended an anti-transgender rights rally outside State Parliament on Saturday, where a group of men performed the Nazi salute.
State opposition leader John Pesutto says he will move a motion at the next part room meeting to expel Deeming from the parliamentary Liberal Party.
"The reason I'm bringing this motion which will go to the partyroom hopefully next week, is because Moira Deeming not only attended the protest on the steps of parliament, but was actively involved in different ways in the organisation and promotion of this protest at which there was speakers who have known links with neo-Nazis and white extremists, and I won't have any of it," he tells ABC News Breakfast.
"We support free speech, but every sensible and reasonable person will know that there have to be some limits on free speech.
"And people who engage in actions and gestures which incite hate and violence will never be acceptable in our state."
Pesutto says his party is open to discussing potentially outlawing the Nazi salute.
Meanwhile, Deeming has told the ABC she has been advised not to comment until after the partyroom vote.
Emergency operation underway to deal with millions of dead fish
By Tom Williams
An emergency operation is underway to deal with millions of dead fish, following last week's major fish kill in far west New South Wales.
Residents near Menindee are calling for urgent action, after millions of dead fish were found decompossing in the Darling River — the worst fish kill to ever hit the region.
An emergency operations centre has been activated, overseen by NSW Police, to co-ordinate the removal and disposal of the fish and maintain clean water flows to the town and surrounding areas.
The incident has been caused by low oxygen levels in the water, combined with high temperatures.
Menindee resident Graeme McCrabb tells ABC News Breakfast that learnings from previous fish kills haven't been properly actioned, and authorities have mismanaged the water.
"Water New South Wales lost control of the lakes and we've had to basically let the water come straight through, straight up the flood plain," he says.
"We knew we had low oxygen from fish deaths around Tilpa and further downstream. That water arrived, we didn't have enough data to understand what was going on, and that's come into our weir pool.
"I think everyone knows now just how important Menindee is and particularly our section of river here, just how much fish it holds.
"We have to take so much more care and we've really learnt nothing from 2018 and 2019."
Major bank Credit Suisse to be taken over by UBS in emergency deal
By Tom Williams
In case you missed it earlier this morning — Swiss authorities say the bank UBS will take over its rival Credit Suisse for $3 billion CHF ($4.8 billion).
Officials had spent the weekend trying to rescue the 167-year-old bank, which is among the world's largest wealth managers.
The deal is backed by the Swiss government, and comes as the nation's president says a collapse of Credit Suisse would have had "incalculable consequences" for the international financial system.
The Swiss central bank and other authorities say the takeover represents "a solution to secure financial stability and protect the Swiss economy in this exceptional situation".
You can read more here:
South African corruption investigator shot dead
By Tom Williams
A high-profile South African accountant who was investigating high level corruption cases has been shot dead along with his son.
Cloete Murray was killed by unknown gunmen while driving in Johannesburg with his 28-year-old son Thomas on the weekend.
He had been appointed as the liquidator for the company Bosasa, which was implicated in numerous corruption scandals involving government contracts.
Police are investigating if there's a link between Murray's murder and the corruption investigations.
News Australia is searching for: Formula 1
By Tom Williams
Red Bull's Sergio Perez has won the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix overnight, with teammate Max Verstappen finishing second after starting in 15th.
Mercedes' George Russell took third after Fernando Alonso was hit by a time penalty, and Australia's Oscar Piastri finished in 15th after suffering some damage to his car on the first lap.
You can read my colleague Mick Doyle's recap of the race, here:
One more thing: Royals Kate and William have shared new family photos
By Tom Williams
The Prince and Princess of Wales have shared some new family photos for the UK's Mother's Day.
One photo shows Kate sitting in a tree with her three children: four-year-old Prince Louis, nine-year-old Prince George and seven-year-old Princess Charlotte.
The other photo shows Kate holding Louis in her arms.
