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):
- US media have reported another 'object' has been shot down by US forces near the Canadian border. It's the third one in three days
- Cyclone Gabrielle is intensifying as it tracks towards New Zealand this morning, with thousands already without power
- In Queensland, 50 bushfires started over the last 24 hours, with some emergency warnings currently in place
- And it's the NFL's biggest day of the season — the Super Bowl kicks off this morning (Australian time)
Love your Super Bowl? We're blogging all of that here (including *the* Rihanna half-time performance).
And you can keep up-to-date with other news on the ABC's website, by subscribing to our mobile alerts, and by watching News Channel or listening to local radio here.
Queensland firefighters brace for bushfire conditions to worsen
By Peta Fuller
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services state operations co-ordinator James Hague told the ABC residents needed to be "extremely careful" not to start any new fires.
"Unfortunately, we are expecting another warm day, not as warm and not as challenging as yesterday," he said.
"But still a very difficult day so the conditions will probably worsen through the day as the heat of the day comes on."
Investigations into each fire will begin once the situation is under control, he said:
"We did have one, I know, that was down near the Beaudesert area which was reportedly started by a mower hitting a rock," he said.
"And there's a lot of dead grass around, that took hold very quickly and we had about 20 trucks on that one to keep it relatively small, but just the same, just indicates how quickly and how easily these fires can start."
More than 250,000 people rally in Spain
By Brianna Morris-Grant
Hundreds of thousands of Spaniards have flooded the streets of Madrid for the largest protest yet against the regional government’s management of the capital city's health care services.
Over 250,000 people rallied in the city center, according to the central Spanish government.
These groups have taken to the streets on a regular basis in recent months, and their movement is gathering strength.
"They have cut our wages instead of raising them," Lilian Ramis, 61, a matron at the El Molar health centre in Madrid, told Reuters.
"We are overwhelmed with work and do not have any support. We are in danger of extinction."
First Aussies in line for Super Bowl championship win
By Peta Fuller
Bankstown's own Jordan Mailata could make sporting history — if the NFL player's Philadelphia Eagles beat their Kansas rivals.
Alongside fellow Aussie, punter Arryn Siposs, they're the first Australians up for the championship ring.
And at his old stomping ground the Bankstown Bulls, hundreds are expected to watch it live.
Former teammate Daniel Hadchiti said he's been a big inspiration:
"We can see that the pathway to success is quite evident through both the NRL players we have and now an NFL superstar.
We're expecting a lot of inspiration from the kids, it shows what potential they have and where they can reach with the hard work and dedication."
Baby, teens among those pulled from rubble in Türkiye 'miracle' rescues
By Peta Fuller
Rescuers have pulled more survivors from the rubble, including a seven-month-old baby, six days after the deadly earthquakes.
And Turkish state media has also reported a teen girl was found alive, with rescuers speaking of a "miracle".
A warning there is some blood in this video:
But the good news is limited — the confirmed death toll both Türkiye and Syria now stands at more than 33,000.
Syria has not reported an updated death toll since Friday local time, so the true number is likely higher.
An update on Cyclone Gabrielle, tracking south towards New Zealand
By Peta Fuller
More than 30,000 homes are already without power in New Zealand's upper North Island, as Auckland and nearby areas are bracing for Cyclone Gabrielle.
The storm hit Australia's Norfolk Island on Saturday night and is now sitting just north of New Zealand.
Forecasters say Gabrielle is intensifying as it nears land, with strong winds and heavy rainfall expected.
Air New Zealand has cancelled all domestic flights in and out of Auckland, and many schools and daycare facilities are closed.
US military shoots down *another* unidentified object
By Peta Fuller
We're getting more information about the latest "object" floating around the US/Canadian border.
Two US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that the military had shot down the object.
It's the third flying object in three days.
US politician Jack Bergman says the military made "decisive action" to take it down over Lake Huron, which sits between Detroit and Toronto:
Earlier today the military closed airspace in the region, but it has now been reopened:
'It's unreal': Refugees now eligible to stay in Australia
By Peta Fuller
If you missed this late last night, temporary protection visas have been scrapped (a federal Labor election promise) — and there's been an emotional reaction.
Hazara man Zaki Haidari says he's been waiting for this since he fled the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2012, telling ABC radio this morning:
"I'm in disbelief that this announcement came through and I can call Australia permanent home.
"I'm very emotional. I haven't had really good time to process the news. Yeah it's unreal."
The plan affects around 19,000 refugees who arrived by boat before Operation Sovereign Borders started in 2013.
Auckland braces for Cyclone Gabrielle to hit
By Peta Fuller
Supermarket shelves like COVID times, all flights cancelled — New Zealand's north is bracing for a big storm front today
TVNZ reporter Tessa Parker told ABC's News Breakfast it was an "eerie feeling" on the ground in Auckland this morning:
"That's because all residents have been told to bunker down and avoid all unnecessary travel. We're also seeing a big disruption to our whole travel network.
"Shelves were empty because Aucklanders have been told for about a week now to prepare for the storm. Everyone should have about three days worth of food, a week's worth of medicine and water as well."
Fifty bushfires across Queensland in 24 hours
By Peta Fuller
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services says in the past 24 hours there have been 50 bushfires across the state and they have sent out more than 120 firetrucks.
Fast-moving bushfires are continuing to place homes under threat near Miles in Queensland's Western Downs, north-west of Brisbane.
Authorities have issued an emergency warning for people at Myall Park between Leichhardt Highway, Hookswood Pelham Road and Warramoo Road to leave the area immediately.
Authorities say the fires at Montrose and nearby Myall Park may pose a threat to lives and property.
US Senator says two 'unidentified objects' believed to be balloons
By Peta Fuller
The latest two, shot down by American fighter jets over Canada and Alaska, are both thought to be balloons.
Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer was on US TV overnight and said he had been briefed by the president's national security adviser.
Asked whether two recent objects were balloons, Schumer said: "They believe they were, yes, but much smaller than the first one."
He added:
"The bottom line is until a few months ago we didn’t know about these balloons... It is wild that we didn’t know."
"Now they are learning a lot more. And the military and the intelligence are focused like a laser on first gathering and accumulating the information, then coming up with a comprehensive analysis."
News Australia is searching for
By Peta Fuller
- Valentine's Day: Already everybody? Don't panic, it's tomorrow so you're in the clear.
One more thing: The Aussies up at this year's NFL Super Bowl
By Peta Fuller
For American sports fans, it's a big day.
The rest of us might be here for the half-time show (Rihanna, Drake, say no more) — but there are two Aussies playing for the Philadelphia Eagles against the Kansas City Chiefs.
So go Eagles, I guess?
Here's a bit more from the ABC's Sam Wilkinson:
"The Eagles, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, features two Australians. Former rugby league player Jordan Mailata has established himself as a starting left tackle. Former AFL player Arryn Siposs is now a punter and has recovered from injury in time to be considered for selection. They're up against a Kansas City Chiefs side led by NFL MVP, quarterback Patrick Mahomes."
And if *none* of that sparks your attention, here's an adorable bunch of puppies picking the winner:
