Good morning, it's Thursday, April 7. Here's what you need to get going today.
One thing to know right now: Scott Morrison received a bollocking from a pensioner
Here's what happened in the unannounced visit:
- The PM was meeting locals at the Edgeworth Tavern in Newcastle when he was confronted by a disability support pensioner, who said after 30 years working in the mines, his retirement was being affected by tight restrictions on pension payments
- He berated Mr Morrison about the level of financial support for older Australians, saying people on his type of pension couldn't have any income, adding:
- Mr Morrison offered several times for the man to speak to one of his staff members about the details of his concerns, as he walked away the pensioner said:
One thing you’ll be hearing about today: Ukraine 'can win this' war, Pentagon official says
- The Pentagon said on Wednesday it assessed that Ukraine could win the war against Russia, even as US officials speak of the risk of a protracted conflict
- Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told a news briefing: "Of course they can win this," adding:
And your update on other Ukraine news from overnight:
- Drone footage appears to show a Russian armoured vehicle firing at a cyclist in the town of Bucha. It appears to show the vehicle, likely to be a BMD-2, marked with a white 'V' on the side, firing at an individual on a bicycle (Russian military vehicles have had a 'V' or a 'Z' on them)
- Additional footage seen by the ABC shows a corpse lying next to a bicycle in the location where it was fired upon
- The ABC has verified that the footage was filmed in Bucha, but cannot verify when it happened
- President Vladimir Putin's two adult daughters are among the latest to be sanctioned. The US will also sanction Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's wife and daughter, and members of Russia's security council, the officials said
- Sanctions imposed on Russia over its war in Ukraine should give China a "good understanding" of the consequences it could face if it provides material support to Moscow, US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman has said
- And authorities in Ukraine's east are warning residents to leave while it's still possible, as Russian forces shift their assault towards the Donbas region
News while you snoozed
Let's get you up to speed.
- Police investigating a mass shooting in the US city of Sacramento say the violence was gang-related. Six people died and 12 others were wounded in the shooting in California's state capital last Sunday. Investigators believe at least five shooters from two separate groups of men were involved. Two brothers have been arrested, but no-one has been charged yet.
- A major report has found vaping is a "serious health risk" and is causing harm and addiction, particularly for a younger generation and non-smokers. The review by researchers at the Australian National University found vaping increases the risk of multiple adverse health outcomes, including poisoning, addiction, seizures, burns, lung injury and smoking uptake. Review lead author Emily Banks said:
The news Australia is searching for
- Ed Sheeran lawsuit: That's the news that the singer won a lawsuit over copyright infringement. Speaking in a video message after winning a judgement (that claimed he'd plagiarised the music of his 2017 hit Shape of You) the British artist called for an end to frivolous lawsuits. He said:
- Barcelona: Yes, the soccer club is coming to Sydney to play an A-League All Stars team, they announced yesterday. It'll be on May 25, just a few days before the grand final A-League match.
One more thing: Maradona's 'Hand of God' shirt is being auctioned ... for a massive $7 million price tag
Yes it's *that* jersey, from the iconic moment where Diego Maradona the Argentinian football star snagged a goal with his hand in the 1986 World Cup quarters against England (that Argentina would later win).
The referees couldn't see it clearly, so the goal stood. At the time he said it was:
It'll be on the auction block on April 20, and is estimated to fetch at least 4 million pounds (or around $7 million Australian).
That's it for now
We'll be back later on with more.
ABC/wires
