This is The Loop, your quick catch-up for this morning's news as it happens.
Key events
Live updates
That's it for The Loop this morning
By Peta Fuller
If you're looking to catch up, here's some of what we covered this morning (click the link to jump straight to the post):
- New Zealand has confirmed two deaths in the wake of Cyclone Gabrielle. A body has also been found in the search for a missing firefighter, but they have yet to be identified
- Commonwealth Bank has posted a record $5.2 billion half-yearly profit — the bank says their profits are due to rate rises and more people taking out loans
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Romania briefly scrambled military jets and neighbouring Moldova temporarily closed its air space after mystery balloon-like objects were seen over their skies
- And in other mystery-object-related news, the US military has revealed it *missed* its first shot at an aerial object over Lake Huron earlier this week
- Meanwhile, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin says he expects Ukraine will go on the offensive with Russia in coming months, in a bid to push back the invasion
- And Idris Elba has denied he'll be taking over as the next James Bond, instead saying he'll focus on his detective character Luther's big-screen venture
Hundreds rescued as evacuations are still underway in New Zealand
By Peta Fuller
More from Kieran McAnulty, the NZ emergency minister:
"Yesterday, north of 300 people were rescued in Hawke's Bay and are being cared for at several defence centres.
There was one large building with 60 people stranded on the roof and all have been rescued.
The rescue coordination centre has 25 remaining tasks of individual or family groups that require rescuing and they are working through."
He said they're confident rescues will be finished today and they're estimating 9,000 people have been displaced and 3,000 are in civil defence centres.
'We're not out of danger yet', NZ minister says
By Peta Fuller
We're hearing more from the NZ emergency minister now:
"Sadly, we have lost two lives, both in the Hawke's Bay.
This is upsetting for everyone involved and my thoughts are with the family and friends a sthey face this tragic loss."
He says the nation is "not out of danger yet" although the worst of the storm has passed.
BREAKING: Body found in missing NZ firefighter search
By Peta Fuller
NZ's emergency management minister Kieran McAnulty has said:
"We’ve just received news that in the search for the missing firefighter, a body has been located.
It is yet to be identified, nevertheless our deepest condolences to the family, community and of course to all volunteers and emergency services. This will no doubt hit hard."
Latest state makes move to ban 'rent bidding'
By Peta Fuller
South Australia's government has announced they're the latest to try the change — basically properties can't be advertised with a "rent range".
The plan is for that to stop "rent bidding", where tenants are encouraged to offer above the advertised price to secure the property.
NSW went ahead with its ban at the end of last year — but in both cases landlords *can* take a higher bid (if it's offered "freely" by the tenant").
SA's business minister Andrea Michaels says it's hoped the ban will provide "stability in the market" and it has helped interstate.
AFL announces ticket price freeze to continue
By Peta Fuller
It's not all bad news for your finances (if you're a footy fan).
People heading to the MCG or Docklands Stadium for a game will pay the same ticket prices as last year, with the AFL continuing a price freeze for all matches this season.
Tickets for the upcoming season go on sale next week, with prices capped at $27 for an adult, with family tickets set at $54.
The AFL says it hopes the price freeze keeps games affordable amid cost-of-living pressures.
US man freed after nearly three decades in prison
By Brianna Morris-Grant
A Missouri man who served 28 years in prison for a killing he says he didn't commit has been freed.
Lamar Johnson was convicted of murder for the October 1994 killing of Marcus Boyd, who was shot to death on his front porch by two masked men.
He was sentenced to life in prison but maintained his innocence from the outset.
Now 50, he plans to reconnect with his family and enjoy experiences he was denied for most of his adult life while locked up, his lawyers said.
Coming up: Philip Lowe will face Senate estimates this morning
By Peta Fuller
CommBank announces a record profit. Well done, productivity must be up! Oh, wait, no, that's just a windfall from the RBA's efforts to control inflation by flogging mortgaged home owners.
- Miaow Miaow I'm a Cow
...AND CBA, I'm sure has usually been the first to pass on the hikes to their customers...🤔
- Natty
Comm Bank's record profit has *lots* of you talking — but it won't be good news for the RBA's governor Philip Lowe, who has to front Senate estimates from around 11am AEDT today.
What else do we know about it?
Here's ABC political reporter Stephanie Borys:
"We can expect questions to be asked of Philip about revelations last week he had a meeting with major bank bond traders but that despite the fact he had not fronted the public to explain the latest interest rate rise.
In the most recently released document from the RBA they indicated there will be further interest rate rises in the months ahead which has both government and households concerned about how people are going to cover those rising costs."
BREAKING: Commonwealth Bank reports record profit
By Peta Fuller
Australia's biggest lender announced a big half-year profit of $5.2 billion, up 10 percent.
Here's more from News Breakfast's Madeleine Morris:
"It's a rise of 9% on the same period last year.
The bank will pay a dividend of $2.10 per share fully franked, up 35 cents on the previous period.
Half of the Australian population banks with CBA.
The bank says the profits are due to rising interest rates and more customers taking out loans."
Deaths reported in New Zealand weather emergency
By Peta Fuller
New Zealand authorities say they've received reports of people dying overnight, as vast areas of the North Island remain flooded.
The extent of devastation caused by ex-tropical Cyclone Gabrielle is still unfolding — thousands of homes had to be evacuated and some areas are cut off by phone and road.
Reporter Jacob Johnson told ABC's News Breakfast:
"Last night, officials confirmed our first cyclone-related death, a woman who was trapped in her house. There was a bank that fell onto her home and crushed it.
Police confirmed last night a body was found on the shore in a similar area, although at this stage it is not yet known if that death is weather-related."
Fire And Emergency Chief Executive Kerry Gregory says parts of the country are in the middle of the effects of the storm:
"Overnight, there's been reports of further fatalities across the country and your hearts go out to the families of those who have potentially lost their lives last night and it's really difficult time for New Zealand."
Vigil held for Brianna Ghey as police investigate whether murder of trans girl was a hate crime
By Jessica Riga
British police say they're investigating whether the murder of a transgender teenage girl in north-west England on the weekend was a hate crime, as mourners gather for a vigil in her memory.
Police arrested two teenagers on Saturday on suspicion of murder after the body of 16-year-old Brianna Ghey was found on a path in a village near Warrington, 200 miles north-west of London.
Police initially said there was no evidence to suggest the circumstance's around Ghey's death were hate related.
But after extending the time for questioning the suspects — a boy and a girl both aged 15 — police said that they were examining all possible motives for the murder.
"All lines of enquiry are being explored, including whether this was a hate crime," Cheshire Police said.
"Please continue to avoid speculation online and be wary of sharing misinformation relating to this case."
In a tribute to Ghey, her family said she was "strong, fearless and one of a kind," as mourners gathered at St George's Hall in Liverpool to pay tribute.
LGBTQ campaign group Stonewall UK said "our thoughts are with Brianna Ghey, a young trans woman, and her loved ones, following her tragic murder in Cheshire."
"We urge anyone who may have information which will help the police with their enquiries to come forward."
US *missed* first missile at aerial object over Lake Huron
By Peta Fuller
Aside from more mystery balloons over Romania, we've learnt today that the US military's first try on Sunday "landed harmlessly" in a lake on the Canadian border.
The acknowledgment of the errant missile by General Mark Milley came amid questions about whether the government was creating unnecessary risk by shooting down objects officials said weren't a security threat.
It was the third in as many days to be shot from the skies.
Every Australian child with cancer to get personalised treatment by year's end
By Peta Fuller
Australia's leading precision medicine program for children with cancer is expanding to become available to all children by the end of the year.
The program involves genomic analysis of each cancer, and the use of targeted treatments.
Chair of clinical trials Professor David Ziegler says it means up to a thousand children could access the program each year, telling ABC radio:
"What this program means is that we can reassure our patients that they are getting the world's leading testing of their tumour.
That what is being offered to them in Australia is as good or better than what any child with cancer will be getting anywhere in the world."
Mystery balloon-like objects seen over European nations
By Peta Fuller
Romania briefly scrambled military jets and neighbouring Moldova temporarily closed its air space after authorities in both countries reported mysterious weather balloon-like objects traversing their skies.
The incidents occurred at around midday local time and briefly raised concerns in the two Eastern European countries, both of which border Ukraine and have been affected by Russia’s war.
Romania’s defense ministry said it deployed two jets that are under NATO command to its southeastern skies to seek an aerial object it described as being small with "characteristics similar to a weather balloon."
Türkiye quake officially deadliest in country's history
By Peta Fuller
More than 35,000 people have officially died (although that is certain to rise), according to the nation's president — making the quake the deadliest since the country was founded 100 years ago.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called it the "disaster of the century", adding:
"We will continue our work until we get our last citizen out of the destroyed buildings."
Ukraine expected to attack Russia in coming months, US says
By Peta Fuller
The United States' Defence Secretary says he expects Ukraine to conduct an offensive against Russia in the European spring.
Lloyd Austin made the comments after meeting with NATO defence ministers in Brussels — saying Ukraine wants to create momentum to push back the invasion.
NATO is planning to increase targets for stockpiling ammunition, as Ukraine is using shells faster than Western countries can produce them.
"Ukraine has been at this for a year, and so they have used a lot of artillery ammunition.
We're going to do everything we can, working with our international partners to ensure that we get them as much ammunition as quickly as possible."
He also said that Russia is introducing a number of new troops to the battlefield but that many are ill-trained and ill-equipped.
Idris Elba says he *won't* be James Bond
By Peta Fuller
If you were keen for this pairing, the UK actor has knocked back suggestions he'll play the famed spy.
Idris Elba says he'll to stick with being the tormented detective John Luther — not James Bond.
He brought up the persistent rumours about his takeover, but shot them down:
"You know, a lot of people talk about another character that begins with ‘J’ and ends with ‘B,' but I'm not going to be that guy. I'm going to be John Luther. That's who I am."
He says he'll focus on the film and Netflix deal for Luther: The Fallen Sun — it's due to come out in US theatres next week, then stream on Netflix beginning March 10.
So let the new Bond rumours continue to swirl...
News Australia is searching for
By Peta Fuller
- Moldova: Moldova's president has echoed claims made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Russia is plotting to overthrow its government — days after the PM resigned, partially over an energy crisis. And if you were googling it just to know where it is, here you go:
One more thing: Pharrell to head Louis Vuitton's menswear designs
By Peta Fuller
Is there anything he *can't* do?
You'll know Pharrell Williams' songs (is Happy stuck in your head yet?) but he's also won 13 Grammys and judged The Voice in the US.
Now he's going to head up the artistic direction of menswear designs at the fashion house, after star designer Virgil Abloh died over a year ago.
