G'day. It's Wednesday, March 30 and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news.
Let's start here
Tens of thousands of people are gathering at the MCG, and many more are watching along from around the world, to farewell Shane Warne.
The iconic cricketer will be remembered at a public memorial after he died earlier this month aged just 52 while on holiday in Thailand.
Shane Warne's son, Jackson, says the MCG is the perfect place to host tonight's event, as so many of his dad's greatest moments came on the hallowed turf — he and his sisters will be there tonight to officially unveil the S K Warne grandstand.
Coverage will begin on the ABC News Channel and on iview from 6:30pm AEDT, with the memorial broadcast live on ABC Local Radio (except SA and Perth metro) and ABC Sport Digital. You can also follow our live blog, which has been rolling throughout the afternoon.
What else is going on
- Byron Bay's central business district has gone under after what long-term locals say is the worst flash flooding they have ever seen. The Lismore CBD has been evacuated again today, with multiple areas being told to leave now and others on high alert (follow our live blog for the latest)
- Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie has threatened to name a school in her state where a child was allegedly raped unless the state government helps the child's homeless family. Speaking in the Senate, Senator Lambie said the situation was "bloody shameful".
News alerts you might have missed
- An inquest has heard Hannah Clarke's husband strangled her during sex months before he killed her, but a social worker did not inform police
- Jada Pinkett Smith has made her first public comment since Will Smith slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars. She says, "This is a season for healing".
Make sure your notification settings are up to date so you don't miss a thing, no matter what topics are most important to you. Head to the ABC News app homepage ➡️ Settings ➡️ Notifications and tailor your alerts to what you want to know.
What Australia has been searching for online
- The Socceroos. Unfortunately, the Aussie side suffered another loss overnight, this time to Saudi Arabia, but their previous defeat at the hands of the Samurai Blue had already sealed their fate: They'll next face sudden-death playoffs in a final attempt to qualify for the World Cup
- Concetta Fierravanti-Wells. The veteran Liberal senator launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Scott Morrison overnight, accusing him of having no conscience — but the PM has dismissed her claims, saying she's just "disappointed" her time in federal parliament might be coming to an end.
One more thing
As a snippet of positive when we're surrounded by negatives: A benefit concert featuring some of the world's biggest names in music has raised more than $21 million for Ukrainian refugees.
The two-hour, livestreamed benefit show raised money for the Disasters Emergency Committee's Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal, with a line-up including Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabellom, Emeli Sandé, Gregory Porter, Snow Patrol, Manic Street Preachers, Nile Rodgers and Chic, Tom Odell, Paloma Faith, The Kingdom Choir, Anne-Marie and Becky Hill.
Ukrainian Eurovision winner Jamal, who was forced to flee her home in Ukraine two weeks ago, also took to the stage to perform a rendition of the song which won her the Eurovision Song Contest in 2016.
Here's a snippet of some of the highlights:
If you missed it and want to see more, the concert will screen on ABC TV Plus tonight and viewers will be able to donate money to the cause throughout the evening online through ABC Gives and via phone on 1300 939 000.
All proceeds will go to the Emergency Action Alliance Ukraine Appeal, which enables 15 of Australia’s leading aid charities — including Caritas Australia, Plan International Australia, Save the Children and Australia for UNHCR — to deliver life-saving aid.
You're up to date
Thanks for reading.
ABC/wires
