This is The Loop, your quick catch-up for this morning's news as it happens.
Key events
Live updates
That's all for The Loop this morning
By Tom Williams
Thanks for joining us today. If you're catching up, here's a bit of what we've covered (click the link to jump straight to the post):
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Bruce Willis's family say the actor has been diagnosed with dementia
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Joe Biden says three recent flying objects were likely not operated by China
- Deputy PM responds to claims about Defence torture-resistance training program
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Fashion icon Vivienne Westwood farewelled in star-studded memorial
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Tesla recalls nearly 363,000 cars over 'Full Self-Driving' issues
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.
Catch you next week!
US EPA boss tells Ohio residents to 'trust the government' after toxic chemical spill
By Tom Williams
The head of the US Environmental Protection Agency has taken a first-hand look at the damage left by a freight train derailment in Ohio which spilled toxic chemicals and left a huge plume of smoke over homes and businesses.
EPA Administrator Michael Regan sought to reassure residents who are skeptical of testing results that say the air is safe to breathe and the water is fit for drinking around East Palestine, where just under 5,000 people live.
"I'm asking they trust the government. I know that's hard. We know there's a lack of trust," Regan said. "We're testing for everything that was on that train."
Many residents are seeking answers about the health hazards they face from the spill, and some have complained about suffering from headaches and other ailments.
$7 billion deal to build venues for 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics
By Tom Williams
The Queensland and Commonwealth governments have struck a $7 billion deal to build Olympic and Paralympic venues ahead of the Games in Brisbane in 2032.
The agreement will fund the development of a new 18,000-seat stadium and cultural hub, plus other venues that need to be built or upgraded over the next nine years.
But the massive redevelopment of The Gabba — the main stadium for the games — will be funded by the Queensland government without Commonwealth money.
You can keep reading this story here:
Scottish National Party to choose new leader in six weeks
By Jessica Riga
The Scottish National Party (SNP) will choose a new leader within six weeks through a ballot of its members, after the surprise resignation of First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Earlier this week, Sturgeon said she was resigning as first minister and party leader, saying her dominance over her party and the country was no longer the asset it once was in the fight for an independent Scotland.
The party did not set a date for announcing the results of the ballot but said it would be made public "as soon as the result has been determined".
Sturgeon will stay on until the selection of a new leader, who will face major challenges to unite the party on a strategy to find a way forward in its pursuit of independence for Scotland.
Happening now: RBA governor Philip Lowe faces a second parliamentary hearing
By Tom Williams
Reserve Bank governor Philip Lowe is facing a second parliamentary hearing today.
It's scheduled to run from 9.30am AEDT to 12.30pm AEDT, and ABC News is blogging it in our live markets blog.
Yesterday the central bank boss defended record bank profits and suggested further interest rate hikes are still to come.
You can watch today's proceedings live here:
Remember Bitcoin? It just hit a six-month high, but it's still far off its peak
By Tom Williams
Bitcoin just touched a six-month high as investors gain confidence in the economic outlook and dismiss concern about regulatory scrutiny of the cryptocurrency sector.
The world's largest cryptocurrency reached about $US25,000 ($36,000) per coin on Thursday, its highest since August 2022 but still far from its all-time high of almost $US70,000 ($102,000).
Bitcoin has risen nearly 50 per cent so far this year, after it languished in early January during the collapse of major crypto exchange FTX and a sell-off in assets caused by banks raising interest rates.
Queensland miners Dylan Langridge and Trevor Davis mourned as investigation begins
By Jessica Riga
Investigations are underway to determine how two miners fell to their deaths at the Dugald River mine in north-west Queensland.
Dylan Langridge, 33, and Trevor Davis, 36, were operating a light utility vehicle near a stope – a large space where ore is extracted – when the ground gave way, causing the men to fall into a void on Wednesday morning.
Their bodies were retrieved yesterday afternoon by emergency crews from mine owner MMG Limited and employment contractor Perenti.
The ABC understands Queensland Police are leading the initial investigation and have assumed control of the site.
Queensland Resources Council chief executive Ian Macfarlane said it was a sad day for all involved.
"A tragedy like this affects a wide circle of people, but at the heart of it are two families who are dealing with a tremendous loss," he said.
Deputy PM responds to claims about Defence torture-resistance training program
By Tom Williams
A court has been told Australian soldiers suffered hallucinations and one threw themself against a wall during a torture resistance training program.
Former soldier Damien DePile is suing the government claiming the course he undertook in 2019 breached his human rights and involved sexual humiliation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, Richard Marles, tells ABC News Breakfast that people can withdraw from the training at any time.
"People need to understand that what training of this kind is seeking to do is to prepare people for an appalling set of circumstances," he says.
"But clearly the safety of those engaged in the training needs to be paramount."
Witnesses in Trump election meddling probe may have lied under oath, grand jury says
By Jessica Riga
Some witnesses may have lied under oath during a grand jury probe of former US president Donald Trump's efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat in Georgia.
Just a few pages of the report by the grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia have been made public.
The witnesses were not named, and it's not clear whether the jury recommended Trump be criminally indicted.
Documents show the special grand jury also concluded there was no widespread fraud in the election, despite Trump's false claims that the vote was rigged against him, and delivered recommendations to prosecutors on possible indictments for election interference.
Those charging recommendations — along with the bulk of the report — remain sealed for now, in accordance to a judge's order, leaving open the question of whether Trump or anyone else could eventually face prosecution.
YouTube CEO (and Google's first landlord) Susan Wojcicki steps down
By Tom Williams
Susan Wojcicki, a longtime Google executive who played a key role in the company's creation, is stepping down as YouTube's CEO after spending the past nine years running the video site.
In an email to employees, the 54-year-old says she is leaving to "start a new chapter focused on my family, health, and personal projects I'm passionate about".
Although she became one of the most respected female executives in the male-dominated tech industry, Wojcicki will also be remembered as Google's first landlord.
Shortly after Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin incorporated their search engine into a business in 1998, Wojcicki rented the garage of her home to them for $US1,700 ($2,500) a month.
Page and Brin were 25 at the time, and worked on their search engine in the garage for five months, before moving Google into a more formal office and persuading their former landlord to work for their company.
"It would be one of the best decisions of my life," Wojcicki says in the announcement of her departure.
Neil Mohan, who has worked closely with Wojcicki for years, will replace her as YouTube's CEO.
Port Lincoln residents told to be aware of toxic black smoke
By Tom Williams
Emergency services have advised anyone with breathing difficulties in the South Australian town of Port Lincoln to seek medical attention, as toxic black smoke drifts across the area.
Several structures were affected by a fire on Stamford Drive yesterday, including the local rubbish dump.
The Country Fire Service says weather conditions overnight were likely to bring smoke lower to the ground.
It's Friday, which means it's time for a news quiz
By Tom Williams
This week's news quiz has (among other things):
- Some Aussies in the Super Bowl
- James Bond rumours
- A surprise political resignation
- and a new job for Pharrell Williams
Have a go at the link below, and let me know your score in the comments!
NSW premier says he will support ban on gay conversion if he wins election
By Tom Williams
New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet has promised to support legislation to ban gay conversion practices if he wins the upcoming state election.
Perrottet says his government will provide in-principle support for legislation that ends harmful practices, adding there was no room in NSW for such practices.
The Labor Opposition earlier this week promised to ban gay conversion practices if it wins the election, saying it will establish a working group of NSW Health and the Department of Justice to draft the laws.
Independent MP Alex Greenwich this week said his support of either party would hinge on them introducing laws to ban the practice.
Greenwich and several other key independents could hold the balance of power in the event of a minority government.
Bruce Willis's family say the actor has been diagnosed with dementia
By Tom Williams
Bruce Willis's family say the 67-year-old American actor has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
In a statement on social media, shared by his ex-wife Demi Moore, Willis's family expresses its "deepest gratitude for the outpouring of love" since he was diagnosed with the language disorder aphasia last year.
"Since we announced Bruce's diagnosis of aphasia in spring 2022, Bruce's condition has progressed and we now have a more specific diagnosis: frontotemporal dementia (known as FTD)," the family says.
"Unfortunately, challenges with communication are just one symptom of the disease Bruce faces. While this is painful, it is a relief to finally have a clear diagnosis.
"FTD is a cruel disease that many of us have never heard of and can strike anyone. For people under 60, FTD is the most common form of dementia, and because getting the diagnosis can take years, FTD is likely much more prevalent than we know.
"Today there are no treatments for the disease, a reality that we hope can change in the years ahead. As Bruce's condition advances, we hope that any media attention can be focused on shining a light on this disease that needs far more awareness and research."
Willis has five children in total. He is married to model Emma Heming Willis, with whom he has two daughters.
Joe Biden says three recent flying objects were likely not operated by China
By Tom Williams
US President Joe Biden says three unidentified objects recently shot down by US fighter jets don't appear to have been used for spying, and likely belonged to private companies or researchers — not China.
"We don't yet know exactly what these three objects were, but nothing right now suggests they were related to China's spy balloon program, or that they were surveillance vehicles from any other country," he told a press conference this morning.
"The intelligence community's current assessment is that these three objects were most likely balloons tied to private companies, recreation or research institutions studying weather, or conducting other scientific research."
It comes after weeks of high-stakes drama sparked by the discovery of a suspected Chinese spy balloon travelling over much of the US, which was shot down.
Biden has directed his National Security Adviser to lead a review into the procedures which saw the US shoot down the alleged Chinese balloon, as well as three other objects the country now believes are more likely "benign".
The downing of the supposed Chinese surveillance craft was the first known peacetime shootdown of an unauthorised object in US airspace.
You can watch part of Biden's speech below.
Fashion icon Vivienne Westwood's star-studded memorial
By Tom Williams
Fashion and music stars including Victoria Beckham, Stormzy and Kate Moss have gathered at a London cathedral for a memorial service in honour of Vivienne Westwood, the iconic designer who helped shape the aesthetic of punk rock.
Musicians Bob Geldof, Nick Cave and Chrissie Hynde; actors Elle Fanning, Helena Bonham Carter and Vanessa Redgrave; and artist Tracey Emin were among the mourners attending the service to commemorate Westwood, who died in December at age 81.
Figures from the fashion world included Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, British Vogue editor Edward Enninful and designer Erdem Moralioglu.
Many wore tartan — a signature Westwood fabric — or bold tailoring to the private service.
Check out some photos from the venue, below.
Tesla recalls nearly 363,000 cars over 'Full Self-Driving' issues
By Tom Williams
Electric car maker Tesla is recalling nearly 363,000 vehicles in the US with its Full Self-Driving system to fix problems with the way it behaves with intersections and speed limits.
The recall, which is part of a larger investigation by U. safety regulators into Tesla's automated driving systems, comes after regulators expressed concerns about the way Tesla's system responds in four areas along roads.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that Tesla will fix the concerns with an online software update in the coming weeks.
The documents say Tesla is doing the recall but does not agree with an agency analysis of the problem.
The recall is unlikely to impact Tesla owners in Australia, as Australia has different rules for self-driving vehicles.
News Australia is searching for
By Tom Williams
Raquel Welch
In case you missed it yesterday, Raquel Welch, the actor who became a sex symbol of the 1960s and 70s, died at age 82.
Welch's manager said in a statement that she died peacefully early on Wednesday morning after "a brief illness", without providing further details.
The Golden Globe winner starred in about 30 films and 50 television series in a career spanning five decades.
One more thing: Japan is reportedly doubling its number of islands after a recount
By Tom Williams
As The Guardian reports, geographers in Japan are expected to soon announce that the country's island count is doubling from the previously recognised number of around 6,000.
They have used digital mapping technology for the first survey of its kind in 35 years, counting a total of 14,125 islands — which is 7,273 more than previously thought.
The islands have been defined as land masses with a circumference of at least 100 metres.
Japan is often subjected to volcanic activity and extreme weather, but officials reportedly say the newly confirmed islands were unlikely to change the size of Japan's territory or territorial waters.
