This is The Loop, your quick catch-up for the 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):
- US says China declined phone call request over downed spy balloon
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Ambassador to Türkiye says embassy is still trying to account for some Australians
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Germany, Denmark and Netherlands pledge Leopard 1 tanks for Ukraine
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Gender pay gap legislation to be introduced today
- Microsoft demos ChatGPT integration in Bing
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.
Coming up: MH17 investigators to reveal new findings
By Tom Williams
Investigators probing the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine are set to present new findings later today.
In November, a Dutch court convicted two former Russian intelligence agents and a Ukrainian separatist leader of murder for helping to arrange the Russian missile system that was used to shoot the plane down in 2014, killing all 298 passengers and crew.
Investigators are expected to identify either those who manned the missile system, or higher-up Russian officials who approved its transfer in and out of Ukraine.
The update will take place during a media conference on Wednesday night, Australian time.
UK police officer jailed for life after being exposed as a rapist
By Tom Williams
A former London police officer has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 30 years for raping and sexually assaulting a dozen women between 2003 and 2020.
Metropolitan Police officer David Carrick, 48, admitted last month he was a serial rapist in what prosecutors described as one of the most shocking cases involving a serving police officer.
Carrick, who joined the force in 2001, pleaded guilty to 49 offenses including 24 counts of rape and charges including assault, attempted rape and false imprisonment.
During the sentencing hearing, Justice Bobbie Cheema-Grubb said the former officer "took monstrous advantage of women" behind a public appearance of propriety and trustworthiness.
"You brazenly raped and sexually assaulted a number of women, some very brutally, and you behaved as if you were untouchable. You were bold and at times relentless, trusting that no victim would overcome her shame and fear to report you," the judge told Carrick.
US says China declined phone call request over downed spy balloon
By Tom Williams
US authorities say China has declined a request for a phone call between US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defence Minister Wei Fenghe after Washington shot down a Chinese spy balloon.
A US fighter jet took down the balloon off the South Carolina coast on Saturday, a week after it first entered US airspace.
The Pentagon said it submitted a request for a secure call on Saturday after the balloon came down.
"Unfortunately, the People's Republic of China has declined our request," Brigadier General Pat Ryder said in a statement today.
"Our commitment to open lines of communication will continue."
The balloon caused political uproar in Washington and prompted top US diplomat Antony Blinken to cancel a trip to Beijing, which both countries had hoped would steady their rocky relations.
China has said the balloon was a weather balloon which had blown off course, and has and accused the US of overreacting.
Earlier today the US also released photos of the downed balloon.
Ghana footballer Christian Atsu found alive in Türkiye earthquake, as another club confirms a local player's death
By Tom Williams
Ghana international winger Christian Atsu has been found alive after being buried under rubble in the earthquake that hit Türkiye.
Atsu was reported missing in Türkiye's Hatay province following the 7.8 magnitude quake that brought down thousands of buildings.
Atsu, 31, played in the Premier League for Newcastle United and Everton and joined Hatayspor in September. He was last selected to play for Ghana in 2019, but has not officially retired from international football.
Second-tier Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor has confirmed on Twitter that their goalkeeper Ahmet Eyup Turkaslan died in the earthquake.
A-Leagues to launch Pride Celebration round to coincide with Mardi Gras and World Pride
By Tom Williams
The Australian Professional Leagues will launch the first ever A-Leagues Pride Celebration round this month to coincide with Mardi Gras and 2023 Sydney World Pride.
The initiative is set to take place across the last weekend of February (24–26) in Australia and the following weekend (March 4) in New Zealand for Wellington Phoenix home games.
You can keep reading this story here:
Ambassador to Türkiye says embassy is still trying to account for some Australians
By Tom Williams
The Australian embassy in Türkiye is still trying to account for some Australian citizens affected by this week's devastating earthquakes.
Ambassador Miles Armitage says there are a number of Australian citizens who have reached out seeking consular assistance, and others are yet to be contacted.
Wrexham exits the FA Cup
By Tom Williams
Non-league side Wrexham have failed in their bid to progress to the fifth round of English soccer's FA Cup.
The Welsh team, who are co-owned by Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds, conceded two late goals in injury time to lose their fourth round replay to second-tier club Sheffield United 3-1.
Reynolds says he's proud of the club and its supporters.
In other matches, Burnley defeated Ipswich 2-1, Fleetwood were 1-0 winners over Sheffield, and Grimsby defeated Luton 3-0.
Germany, Denmark and Netherlands pledge Leopard 1 tanks for Ukraine
By Tom Williams
Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands say they plan to provide Ukraine with at least 100 refurbished Leopard 1 battle tanks in the coming months.
It comes as Kyiv anticipates a new Russian offensive around the anniversary of its invasion later this month.
In a joint statement, the defence ministers of Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands said the shipment of Leopard 1 tanks was part of an effort "to support Ukraine in their endeavor to withstand Russian aggression".
"[It] will significantly enhance Ukraine's military potential for the restoration of their violated territorial integrity," they said.
The announcement follows Germany agreeing last month to allow deliveries of the more modern German-made Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine.
Gender pay gap legislation to be introduced today
By Tom Williams
The federal government will introduce new legislation to the lower house today to improve transparency on wage gaps between men and women.
The change would see the gender pay gaps of employers with 100 or more workers published on the workplace gender equality agency website from next year.
Publishing pay gap data was recommended in the review of the workplace gender equality act in 2021.
Minister for Women Katy Gallagher says global evidence shows pay transparency encourages companies to take action to close the gender pay gap.
Syria's White Helmets are working 'around the clock' to find earthquake survivors
By Tom Williams
The Syria Civil Defence volunteer rescue group, more commonly known as the White Helmets, says all of its teams are already in the field responding to damage caused by earthquakes.
Ishmael Alabdullah tells ABC News Breakfast that none of their teams will stop working, despite freezing temperatures and harsh conditions.
Man texts rescue workers saying he's stuck in a collapsed apartment in Türkiye
By Tom Williams
Middle East Correspondent Allyson Horn says authorities in the Turkish city of Adana have reported receiving text messages from a man believed to be trapped under a collapsed apartment building, following a series of deadly earthquakes.
"This man sent a text message saying, 'Please help me, I'm in apartment 9.' So they have been searching for him with heavy machinery," she tells ABC News Breakfast.
"They have also been sifting through with their bare hands and you can hear the generators are just starting up again now.
"That means that they haven't been able to hear any voices, that's why we had to go quiet because they have been calling out the try to if someone would respond to try to get a location on where the survivors still might be."
Treasurer says authorities don't expect a recession in Australia, despite more rate rises
By Tom Williams
The Reserve Bank raised interest rates yesterday for the ninth meeting in a row, taking its cash rate target to its highest level since September 2012.
The 0.25 of a percentage point increase leaves the benchmark rate at 3.35 per cent, and the RBA has flagged that more increases are coming.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says authorities still "don't expect a recession here in Australia", despite the rate rises
"The decision taken yesterday was factored into the budget … But again, I'm not going to predict and preempt [if more rises will come], I'm not going to second guess," he tells RN Breakfast.
"[The RBA] will make their decisions independently.
"… I geniunely understand that when rates up go it puts extra pressure on people, and it puts extra pressure on our economy."
You can listen to the interview here:
Coming up: Joe Biden will give his second State of the Union address
By Felicity Ripper
The State of the Union address (SOTU) is an annual message from the US president which generally includes reports on the nation's budget, economy, achievements and the president's priorities and legislative proposals.
About 38.2 million people watched Joe Biden's first SOTU on US television last year, so today is a chance to shape public perceptions over the debt limit, social spending, the Russian invasion of Ukraine and other topics, as he plans to announce his re-election campaign in the coming weeks.
The speech, which will be delivered in front of a joint sitting of Congress, will kick off at 9pm local time (1pm AEDT).
Keep a look out for the ABC News live blog so you can follow live.
Türkiye satellite images show impact of devastating earthquakes
By Tom Williams
Satellite images have been shared showing the devastating impact of deadly earthquakes in Türkiye.
Imaging company Maxar Technologies has shared the following before and after photos from the town of Islahiye, showing collapsed buildings and ongoing recue efforts.
ABC News has also mapped the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, alongside other before and after photos.
You can see more of those images here:
Watch and act warning issued for factory fire in Melbourne
By Tom Williams
A watch an act warning has been issued for residents in Melbourne's south east, as a large factory fire continues to burn out of control.
Dozens of firefighters are battling the blaze on Olive Grove in Keysborough, and authorities say its smoke could be highly toxic.
Fire Rescue Victoria says nearby residents should:
- Close all exterior doors and windows
- Turn off heating and cooling systems
- Close fireplaces and vents
- Avoid the area — stay clear of the location of the fire
You can read more about the fire here:
Türkiye authorities say they are still hearing voices under the rubble
By Tom Williams
Middle East Correspondent Allyson Horn says authorities have reported they are still hearing voices under the rubble in Türkiye.
Reporting from Adana for ABC News Breakfast, she says some rescuers are digging with their bare hands through the night, as the families of the missing watch on.
"They're huddled together in blankets, they have built fires in little drums trying to keep warm. They're awaiting any information about what has happened to their loved ones.
"But as we have heard, it is just a race against time at this point and you can see an incredibly difficult situation that these search and rescue operators face."
Zoom the latest big tech company to announce layoffs
By Tom Williams
More than 1,000 jobs are being cut at the American video conference app Zoom.
The company's chief executive Eric Yuan says roughly 15 per cent of the workforce will be lost.
He says he will also be taking a 98 per cent pay cut.
Zoom tripled in size within two years during the pandemic, but Mr Yuan says the firm now needs to reset.
US shares photos of alleged Chinese spy balloon
By Tom Williams
The US Navy has released photos of a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon which was shot out of the sky by a fighter jet on the weekend.
The US Fleet Forces Command shared several photos showing debris from the balloon being pulled into a boat.
The post says the forces involved are part of the US Navy's specialist explosives team.
US officials have described the balloon as being about 60 metres tall.
China has repeatedly insisted that the "airship is for civilian use and entered the US due to force majeure — it was completely an accident".
Rescue efforts continue after earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria
By Tom Williams
The search for survivors continues following powerful earthquakes in parts of Türkiye and Syria, where more than 7,200 people are now confirmed to have died.
Rescuers are working in freezing temperatures and sometimes using their bare hands to dig through flattened buildings.
Residents digging through a collapsed building in a northwest Syrian town discovered a crying infant whose mother appears to have given birth to her while buried underneath the rubble, according to relatives and a doctor.
The newborn girl's umbilical cord was still connected to her mother, Afraa Abu Hadiya, who was dead, they said.
The baby was reportedly the only member of her family to survive from the building collapse on Monday in the small town of Jinderis, next to the Turkish border.
