Hello, it's Monday, March 28. Here's what you need to get caught up on today's news.
One thing to know: Will Smith had a big day at the Oscars
Here's what went down:
- Actor Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock and verbally abused him during the Oscars presentation after the comedian made a joke about Will's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, and her shaved head
- Smith then went on to win the award for Best Actor and apologised to the Academy and his fellow nominees, but not to Rock
- Los Angeles police said Rock declined to file police report but they were prepared to investigate later, if asked
- Rock was presenting an award when he made the joke about Pinkett Smith appearing in a GI Jane sequel, check out the video below …
We heard a lot about: CODA and Troy Kotsur
Sticking with Oscars news, CODA pulled off a fairytale Best Picture win, capping an historic night at the Academy Awards.
The film, a story about a deaf family with just one hearing member, won in all three categories that it was nominated in.
Troy Kotsur won the Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in CODA.
Kotsur is the first deaf man to win an Oscar, and joins his co-star Marlee Matlin as one of only two deaf actors to win an Academy Award.
The news Australia is searching for
- #Kristen Stewart — That's because the actress wore shorts on the Oscars red carpet, you can check out her look and other frocks from the day here
- #RIP TAYLER — From Mick Jagger to Miley Cyrus, musicians around the world have paid tribute to Foo Fighters' drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died suddenly over the weekend.
News you might have missed
- Authorities are warning that a renewed flood threat for parts of the already-sodden NSW Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast could be life-threatening as some residents are moved to higher ground and evacuation centres reopen
- In Queensland, a man has died after being caught in floodwaters near Toowoomba and, further south, another man is missing as a slow-moving trough dumps heavy rain on parts of the south-east
- Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has tested positive to COVID-19 and is now isolating for seven days
- Sydney's Star casino chief executive Matt Bekier resigned. The board said he made the decision over issues raised at an inquiry into the casino
- Tasmania's Health Department has revealed it sent incorrect COVID-19 notifications to 540 people on Saturday, but in trying to clarify the information to media, has had to issue multiple corrections.
One more thing: Australia 'all over' China-Solomon Islands naval base agreement, Joyce says
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has suggested China may want a naval base in Solomon Islands to "intimidate" Australia" or "restrict our capacity of movement".
Mr Joyce has also denied the government was caught by surprise when a draft security agreement between the two countries leaked last week, saying Australian intelligence agencies were "all over" the development.
The Opposition Leader in Solomon Islands, Matthew Wale, has criticised Australia's response to growing security cooperation between China and the incumbent government of Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare, saying he first warned the federal government about nascent security negotiations last year.
However, Mr Joyce said it was wrong to suggest Australia had been caught unaware, nor that its response had been flat-footed.
"I think they'd be highly naive to think the Australian government is not completely over this issue. The Prime Minister, the national security community, they are not fools," he said.
That's it for now
We'll be back tomorrow with more news.
ABC/wires
