This is The Loop, your quick catch-up for this morning's news as it happened.
Key events
Live updates
By Kate Ainsworth
That's all for The Loop this morning
Thanks for following along this morning. Here's what we covered:
- IS claimed responsibility for a deadly attack at a mosque in Iran that killed 13 people
- Canada's parliament has rejected a bill to cut ties with the British monarchy
- Elon Musk has visited Twitter HQ in San Francisco amid growing speculation he will finalise his purchase of the social media company by the end of the week
- Pope Francis has warned priests and nuns about the dangers of pornography
- And Rihanna has teased she'll be releasing her first music in six years tomorrow
You can keep up-to-date on other news on the ABC's website, by subscribing to our mobile alerts, and by watching News Channelor listening to local radio here.
By Kate Ainsworth
Pope warns priests and nuns of 'dangers' of pornography
Pope Francis has used a convention with seminarians in Rome to warn of the dangers of digital pornography, saying it's "a vice so many people have" — including priests and nuns.
The pope was responding to a question about how to best use digital and social media when he made the comments, which have been published by the Vatican.
"The pure heart, the one that Jesus receives every day, cannot receive this pornographic information," he said.
And if you can delete this from your mobile phone, delete it, so you won't have the temptation in hand. And if you can't cancel it, defend yourself well not to get into this.
"I tell you, it is something that weakens the soul. It weakens the soul. The devil enters from there: it weakens the priestly heart."
By Kate Ainsworth
Octopus venom could be used to treat melanoma
An international study has found early evidence that the venom of an Australian octopus could help treat skin cancer.
The pre-clinical study which began at Brisbane's QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute suggests a compound in the southern sand octopus may slow the growth of melanoma cells and prevent tumours from progressing.
Lead researcher Dr Maria Ikonomopoulou says the findings could lead to a new treatment.
"We've identified a peptide that is derived from the Australian southern sand octopus that seems to be more effective towards the melanoma cells of the B-RAF mutation," she said.
"When we tested it in the healthy cells, it seemed to have no effect. And even if we used really high concentrations, it was really safe in the healthy cells. So we are very excited about this."
You can keep reading this story below 👇
By Kate Ainsworth
Aussie troops won't enter Ukraine to train forces
In case you missed it overnight, a contingent of up to 70 Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel will join the British led multinational training effort known as Operation INTEFLEX just after Christmas, but will not enter Ukraine.
Appearing on ABC News Breakfast a short time ago, Defence Minister Richard Marles was asked how many Australians may be already fighting in Ukraine with foreign legions.
"I don't have that number. In answer to the training undertaken, we need to understand what we're seeing now in Ukraine is largely a reservist force. That's everyday Ukrainians enlisting and signing up.
"So training is a really important issue here. It's infantry training that will be provided. The UK have stepped up in leading this initiative and we've had some conversations with the UK over a few weeks now around a contribution that we may make to that.
"And obviously that's what our announcement is today. I've been in contact with the UK Defence Secretary overnight and they're very delighted that we'll be participating in this."
By Kate Ainsworth
Push to modernise Australia's IR laws and 'get wages moving'
The government will introduce its Secure Jobs, Better Pay bill to parliament today, with a promise to modernise Australia's IR laws and "get wages moving".
Speaking on ABC News Breakfast a short time ago, Minister Richard Marles said industrial relations laws needed to reflect "the changing nature of the workplace".
"We know we need to get wages going again. And this is an important part of that," he said.
By Kate Ainsworth
Canadian MPs reject calls to cut ties with British monarchy
A proposal by Quebec's separatist party asking the Canadian government to cut its ties with the British monarchy has been rejected in the country's parliament.
The country's ties with the monarchy were called "archaic" and "a thing of the past" when the bill was tabled by Yves-Francois Blanchet, but was defeated with 266 votes against, and 44 votes in favour.
Britain colonised Canada in the late 1500s, and the country remained part of the British empire until 1982.
It's now a member of the Commonwealth of former empire countries that count the British monarch as head of state.
By Kate Ainsworth
The Miss Universe pageant has a new owner
The Miss Universe Organization has been purchased by a Thai business tycoon and transgender activist for $US20 million ($31 million).
Chakrapong "Anne" Chakrajutathib controls JKN Global Group, and is considered a celebrity in Thailand. She's also outspoken about being a transgender woman, and helped establish a nonprofit group, Life Inspired For Transsexual Foundation, to promote trans rights.
JKN said it acquired the rights to the Miss Universe pageant from IMG Worldwide LLC, a sports, talent and events marketing company which has held the Miss Universe Organization since 2015.
In a statement, Chakrapong described the purchase as "a strong, strategic addition to our portfolio".
JKN said the Miss Universe name would be used to promote its consumer products, which include beauty products, beverages and food supplements.
It's unclear whether the purchase will have an impact on the Miss Universe pageant.
By Kate Ainsworth
Alex de Minaur out of the Swiss Indoors
Australian tennis player Alex de Minaur is out of the Swiss Indoors at Basel, Switzerland, after losing his first-round match in straight sets.
He took on Danish teenager Holger Rune but fell short at 6-2, 7-5.
It was de Minaur's second loss to Rune in five days, after also going down to the 19-year-old in the semi-finals of the Stockholm Open.
By Kate Ainsworth
Germany is considering de-criminalising cannabis
The German government has proposed new laws to de-criminalise cannabis, allowing adults to buy it for recreational use and possess up to 30 grams.
Early drafting of the proposal still needs to be approved by the cabinet, which would require authorities to strictly regulate the drug.
German Health Minister, Karl Lauterbach said the measures would help bring down the cannabis black market.
"Distribution and cultivation should be controlled by the state. That means that we want the entire amount that is distributed and consumed here to be produced in Germany," he said.
"So, we want to regulate and license production in Germany.
"Decriminalisation should help to ensure that cultivation, possession and consumption remain unpunished within the limits that we regulate."
By Kate Ainsworth
Labour MP ordered to delete tweet about British PM Rishi Sunak
Britain's Labour Party has ordered an MP to delete a tweet saying Rishi Sunak becoming prime minister "isn't a win for Asian representation".
Nadia Whittome, who also has Indian heritage, had tweeted saying:
"He's a multi-millionaire who, as chancellor, cut taxes on bank profits while overseeing the biggest drop in living standards since 1956. Black, white or Asian: if you work for a living, he is not on your side."
The tweet attracted heavy criticism online, with a spokesperson for Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer confirming she was instructed to remove it.
By Kate Ainsworth
Elon Musk looks close to closing his Twitter deal
The Tesla CEO is expected to finalise his deal to buy Twitter this week, and has only added fuel to the fire after tweeting a video of him walking into their San Francisco headquarters.
That comes after Twitter's share price went up overnight, suggesting that investors finally expect the $US44 billion deal to go through.
Also, for what it's worth, he's just updated his Twitter bio to "Chief Twit"...
By Kate Ainsworth
One thing you'll be hearing about today: Industrial relations laws
A bill to modernise Australia's industrial relations laws will be introduced into parliament by the federal government today.
The 'Secure Jobs, Better Pay' bill will give some workers more power to negotiate flexible working hours, and a plan for industry-wide bargaining.
But the proposed bill has been described as a "seismic shift" by employer groups, including Andrew McKellar from the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who has warned it could lead to more industrial action.
"It's a major concern for business because we really could see a seismic shift in the way in which bargaining is structured in Australia," he said.
"What we don't want to see as an outcome which will take us back towards industry-wide pattern agreements, where it's one size fits all."
But the ACTU's Sally McManus says she's not surprised that employer groups were opposing the plan.
"If they think there's a law that's going to make it easier for workers to get pay rises, they're of course going to oppose it," she told the ABC.
Want to read more about the bill? Political reporter Jane Norman has you covered 👇
By Kate Ainsworth
Gunman kills 13 people at shrine in Iran
An attack by a gunman at a Shiite Muslim shrine in the Iranian city of Shiraz has killed at least 13 people and wounded dozens more, with Islamic State claiming responsibility.
Local police said a lone gunman carried out the attack at the entrance to the Shah Cheragh shrine, which killed women, children and staff, and had been taken for questioning.
Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi has vowed that the shooting would not go unanswered.
The attack comes after protesters and security forces in Saqez where mourners had gathered to mark 40 days since the death of Mahsa Amini in custody.
By Kate Ainsworth
What Australia has been searching for online: Kanye West
- Kanye West: Spotify's CEO has spoken out saying the streaming site won't be removing Ye's music from their platform. Daniel Ek told Reuters that Ye's music didn't violate their policies, but condemned his recent anti-Semitic comments.
"It's really just his music, and his music doesn't violate our policy," said Ek.
"It's up to his label, if they want to take action or not."
By Kate Ainsworth
One thing from overnight: Australia is going to train Ukrainian soldiers
Australian troops will be deployed to the UK to help train Ukrainian forces to help them in their defences against Russia's invasion.
The federal government has confirmed up to 70 Australian Defence Force personnel will join the British-led multinational training effort just after Christmas, but won't enter Ukraine.
"Our soldiers will be part of a large training program in the United Kingdom to help prepare their Ukrainian mates for their struggle against Russia's unwarranted and unlawful aggression," Defence Minister Richard Marles said.
Australia is also sending Ukraine another 30 Bushmaster vehicles.
By Kate Ainsworth
More news while you snoozed: Man who killed six in US Christmas parade found guilty
A US jury has convicted a man for killing six people and injuring dozens more after he drove through a Christmas parade in Waukesha, Wisconsin last year.
Prosecutors say he had been filled with rage and his actions had shown "utter disregard for human life".
Brooks represented himself in the trial, repeatedly interrupting the judge and derailing court proceedings.
The jury found he was guilty of all 76 charges, including six counts of first-degree intentional homicide, after just over three hours of deliberations.
He now faces multiple mandatory life sentences on each homicide account.
By Kate Ainsworth
One more thing: New music from Rihanna is coming
This is *not* a drill, Rihanna fans — new music is coming, and soon.
After six years with no new music (yes, it's really been that long), the singer and beauty mogul has teased a new song that's set to appear on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack.
The single, titled Lift Me Up is being released tomorrow for us here in Australia — and Variety is reporting that it was written as a tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who died from cancer in 2020.
Could it be the sign of more new music from her ahead of her Super Bowl halftime show next year? Only time will tell, but in the meantime, set your alarms — and enjoy this teaser.
