Hello. It's Wednesday, March 4. Here's what's been happening today.
One thing to know right now: Russian forces have seized Europe's largest nuclear power plant
You might have heard about Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia plant a lot today. This is what has been happening:
- A fire broke out at a training facility near the plant during a Russian attack.
- The news of a fire sparked fears of a nuclear disaster because the plant is the largest of its kind in Europe and provides more than one-fifth of total electricity generated in Ukraine.
- Luckily the fire was identified to be in a separate building, away from the reactors, and was later extinguished. US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said reactors were being shut down and a plant spokesperson said background radiation levels remained unchanged.
- Then local Ukrainian authorities said Russian forces had taken control of the site and operational personnel were ensuring its safe operation.
- The regional military administration released a statement on Facebook saying the fire caused some damage to the compartment of reactor number one but it does not affect the safety of the power unit. Here's what it said:
The Zaporizhzhya NPP stadium is captured by the military forces of the Russian Federation - State Inspection of nuclear regulation of Ukraine.
Operational personnel monitor the condition of power units and ensure their operation in accordance with the safety of the technological regulations.
Another big story today: The northern NSW flood death toll has risen to five
A man in his 40s was found near Terragon, south of Murwillumbah, earlier today. He is yet to be formally identified.
Earlier today in Queensland the body of a 53-year-old man was found under a wharf at the Port of Brisbane. The man was reported missing on Monday.
This brings the death toll from the latest flood emergency across Queensland and NSW to 15.
Some news you might have missed
- Liberal MP Alan Tudge has quit Scott Morrison's cabinet despite insisting an investigation into an affair and alleged abusive relationship with a former staffer had cleared him of breaking any ministerial rules. Mr Tudge was the minister for education and youth. He'll be replaced by Stuart Robert.
- Australian cricket legend Rod Marsh has died in Adelaide after a heart attack last week. Marsh played 96 Tests for Australia between 1970 and 1984. A family statement said the cricket great "passed away peacefully early this morning".
- Shane Stone, the coordinator-general of the National Recovery and Resilience Agency, said some flooded homes should not be rebuilt, and residents of flood-prone areas needed to "face realities". Emergency Management Minister Bridget McKenzie defended Mr Stone, saying these were "sensible conversations". The opposition said Mr Stone should be sacked for "victim blaming" before flood waters have even receded.
That's it for the day
We'll be back on Monday.
ABC/wires
