Good morning, it's Thursday, February 17. Here's what you need to get going today.
One thing to know right now: A 'catastrophic' shark attack has closed Sydney beaches
- Police and paramedics rushed to Little Bay Beach in Sydney's east yesterday afternoon after frantic calls reported a swimmer being attacked.
- Paramedics said the person suffered "catastrophic injuries" and police made the grim discovery of human remains in the ocean.
- It was the first fatal shark attack in Sydney in almost 60 years — since 1963.
- Beaches from Clovelly south to La Perouse have been closed for 24 hours.
- Here's what a witness told the ABC he saw:
"He was yelling at first, and then when he went down there were so many splashes. The shark won't stop.
"It was terrible. I am shaking. I keep vomiting. It's very, very upsetting.
"He just went down for a swim, enjoying the day, but that shark took his life."
One thing you’ll be hearing about today: Ukraine says there's no evidence Russia has pulled back
Let's dive into the latest with this:
- The US and NATO have warned Russia appears to be adding troops to the Ukrainian border, rather than withdrawing them.
- Yesterday's videos from Russia's defence ministry showed tanks leaving the Crimean peninsula.
- NATO defence ministers have gathered for two days of talks as the tension continues.
- And Russia has denied involvement in a major cyberattack on Ukraine — the hackers targeted two major banks and Ukraine's defence ministry.
News while you snoozed
Let's get you up to speed.
- At least 56 people have died in devastating mudslides and floods that swept through Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state.
- ACT Police are considering laying incitement charges over social media posts related to the Convoy to Canberra protests. The territory's chief of police says some people online have been trying to get the group, which has been peaceful, to do something violent.
- Bali's government has announced the first direct flight from Australia in almost two years. The island's governor says Garuda Airlines will fly straight from Sydney to Bali on March 4 and Jetstar from Singapore to Bali by March 16.
The news Australia is searching for
- Earthquake Guatemala: Two people are confirmed dead from a 6.2-magnitude earthquake in Guatemala. The Central American nation's disaster agency says the quake collapsed roofs and triggered landslides in the country's south.
- Western Sydney Wanderers: Yep they scored a 2-0 win over Melbourne Victory in the A-League — which has boosted Mark Rudan's hopes of being appointed as Western Sydney's long-term coach.
One more thing: The Foo Fighters made a... horror movie?
What *can't* Dave Grohl do?
Yep the rockers have stepped out of music and into the world of film with a horror flick, Studio 666.
What did Grohl say when a friend floated the idea?
But a spooky house changed that, and the film was born (you can have a listen here):
You'll be able to see it in Australia at the end of February.
That's it for now
We'll be back later on with more of the good stuff.
ABC/wires
