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 was covered (click the link to jump straight to the post):
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Treasurer says yesterday's surprise interest rate rise was 'a blunt and brutal reminder'
- Nick Cave explains why he's going to King Charles III's coronation
- Air force flies 36 more Australians and their families out of Sudan
- Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid named NBA MVP for 2023
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Greens call for rent freeze, with housing ministers to meet today
- Man arrested, controlled explosion outside Buckingham Palace
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Police confirm man's remains found inside two crocodiles in Queensland
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Queensland firefighter dies after factory fire south of Brisbane
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.
Woman tells court she was molested by Donald Trump
By Jessica Riga
A woman has testified that Donald Trump molested her with what seemed like "40 zillion hands" on an airline flight in the late 1970s — years before writer E Jean Carroll says the former president sexually assaulted her at a Manhattan department store.
Meanwhile, Trump's lawyer said the former president has decided against testifying, answering the biggest outstanding question about the closely watched case. Trump has given sworn deposition testimony, and excerpts could be played for the jury.
Jessica Leeds, 81, of Asheville, North Carolina, told jurors at a civil trial arising from Carroll's lawsuit that Trump grabbed her chest and ran his hand up her skirt as they sat side by side in first class on a New York City-bound jet.
Carroll's lawyers called Leeds to the witness stand in an attempt to show that Trump has a history of assaulting women and that Carroll's claims were part of a pattern, not a one-off incident. Another woman is expected to testify at the trial that she too was victimised by Trump.
Trump has repeatedly denied the women's claims. He contends the allegations are politically motivated attempts to smear his reputation and deny him the White House. He has said Carroll lied to sell books and that she's not his "type".
Reporting by Associated Press
Hollywood writers say industry has turned into a 'gig economy'
By Jessica Riga
Thousands of unionised film and television writers in the US have put down their pens and laptops for the first time in 15 years.
They've failed to reach a new contract with the trade association that represents Hollywood studios and production companies.
The union is seeking higher minimum pay and more writers per show, among other demands.
Lila Cohan is a writer for the Netflix hit Bridgerton protesting in LA, and says production companies are making huge profits off ideas they created.
"Many writers, myself included, feel that has turned into a gig economy, like white collar version of driving for Uber. And when the companies are making so much off our work that feels very unfair and we feel we should be compensated accordingly."
Google, Microsoft CEOs called to AI meeting at White House
By Jessica Riga
The chief executives of Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI have been called to a meeting at the White House to discuss key artificial intelligence issues.
The CEOs have been invited to meet with US Vice-President Kamala Harris and top administration officials on Friday.
They'll review proposed accountability measures for AI systems, as concerns grow about its impact on national security and education.
The invitation noted that US President Joe Biden expected tech companies to ensure their products were safe before making them publicly available.
Philadelphia 76ers' Joel Embiid named NBA MVP for 2023
By Tom Williams
Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid has been named the NBA's MVP (most valuable player) for 2023.
The centre was the favourite to win this year, after Denver's Nikola Jokić claimed the award over the past two seasons.
Embidd — a 29-year-old seven footer — also beat out Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo to claim the MVP title.
The award is decided by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, as well as fans.
Here's the moment this year's winner was announced:
And here are the full voting results:
Embiid is currently in doubt for Game 2 of the Eastern Conference semifinals against Boston, due to a knee injury.
Snowy Hydro CEO says project will be delayed by a further two years
By Tom Williams
Snowy Hydro's new chief executive is conceding the project's multi-billion-dollar expansion will be delayed by up to two years.
Late last year, one of the massive tunnel-boring machines being used on the site in the New South Wales Snowy Mountains got stuck.
It's another setback for the project, with construction delays and blowouts taking forecast costs from $2 billion to an estimated $6 billion.
The company's CEO, Dennis Barnes, says the project may not be completed until 2029.
You can listen to his interview on Radio National at the link below:
Greens call for rent freeze, with housing ministers to meet today
By Tom Williams
In an open letter to the nation's housing ministers, the Greens are calling for a two-year rent freeze followed by two per cent caps on rent increases, and an end to no-grounds evictions.
The proposed freeze would seek to close a loophole allowing landlords to start a bidding war between prospective tenants.
The Greens also say rent caps should apply to the property, not just to individual leases to ensure tenants do not face eviction so their landlords can hike the rent.
Australian Associated Press reports the party will introduce their proposal to parliament during budget week.
Housing ministers are set to meet today to discuss ways to tackle Australia's housing crisis, including strengthening renters' rights.
Opposition finance spokeswoman Jane Hume says ministers needed to come up with solutions without adding to inflation.
"When there's a scarcity of housing and there's a rental crisis, there's some urgency for the government to come up with a policy that is going to house these huge number of migrants were expecting to come into the country," she told AAP.
"Infrastructure is being cut. Having an increased migration intake but a decreased amount of infrastructure to support that migration on top of the housing crisis, that's a recipe for disaster."
Serena Williams shares new photos after announcing her pregnancy
By Tom Williams
Tennis legend Serena Williams has shared new photos of herself and husband Alexis Ohanian, after announcing her second pregnancy at the Met Gala in New York yesterday.
The announcement from 41-year-old Williams came after she stepped away from tennis last year, which she said she had to in order to have a second child.
"Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family. I don't think it's fair. If I were a guy I wouldn't be writing this because I'd be out there playing and winning while my wife was doing the physical labor of expanding our family," she told Vogue in August.
Williams and Ohanian's daughter, Olympia, is now five.
Police confirm man's remains found inside two crocodiles in Queensland
By Tom Williams
An examination of the remains of two crocodiles killed by wildlife officers has confirmed the death of a Far North Queensland publican who disappeared while fishing on Saturday.
Authorities believe Kevin Darmody, 65, had gone to the water's edge to retrieve a fishing lure when he was taken.
Police said an examination found remains inside one of the reptiles, but wildlife officers believed both crocodiles were involved in the incident.
You can stay up to date with further updates on this story at the link below.
Arsenal back on top of the Premier League after defeating Chelsea
By Tom Williams
Arsenal have returned to the Premier League summit after a 3-1 victory against struggling London rivals Chelsea.
Martin Odegaard scored goals after 18 and 34 minutes. Gabriel Jesus then netted Arsenal's third.
Noni Madueke took advantage in the 65th minute to score the Blues' second goal in eight games.
With Manchester City playing at home against West Ham United on Wednesday night, the Gunners can still expect to be dethroned quickly.
US surgeon-general says loneliness poses risks as deadly as smoking
By Tom Williams
US health officials say America is facing an epidemic of loneliness that's as dangerous to health as smoking.
The surgeon-general, Vivek Murthy, has released an advisory calling for social isolation to be treated as seriously as obesity or drug abuse.
It warns that almost half of all Americans have experienced loneliness, increasing their risk of premature mortality by almost 30 per cent.
"We now know that loneliness is a common feeling that many people experience. It's like hunger or thirst. It's a feeling the body sends us when something we need for survival is missing," Murthy told The Associated Press.
"Millions of people in America are struggling in the shadows, and that's not right. That's why I issued this advisory to pull back the curtain on a struggle that too many people are experiencing."
Treasurer says yesterday's surprise interest rate rise was 'a blunt and brutal reminder'
By Tom Williams
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says yesterday's Reserve Bank rate rise — which surprised the market by raising interest rates from 3.6 to 3.85 per cent — was "a blunt and brutal reminder of the challenges that are in our economy", namely inflation.
Speaking on ABC News Breakfast this morning, Chalmers acknowledged the market was surprised by the RBA's decision, after most major banks predicted rates would remain on hold.
"The impact of these rate rises that are already in the system will be felt over a period of time and each time the independent Reserve Bank gathers, they weigh up all of the considerations, all the pressures in the economy, including this global uncertainty that we are going through right now and they will take that decision independently," he said.
Chalmers said Australians' budgets were "already under the pump", and that next week's federal budget would include some cost of living relief.
"The budget will have a substantial package of relief when it comes to medicines, it will have a package on child care, there will be a bit of help for people with their energy bills," he said.
Air force flies 36 more Australians and their families out of Sudan
By Tom Williams
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says an Australian air force plane has carried out an evacuation flight from war-torn Sudan overnight.
Senator Wong says the flight carried "36 Australians and their family members, as well as citizens from six other countries".
"More than 190 Australians and their family members have now departed Sudan," she says.
Hundreds of people have been killed in Sudan's ongoing conflict between the country's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
US says it doesn't know who owns balloon which flew over Hawaii
By Tom Williams
A US defence official says it's not clear who owns a balloon that was tracked flying off the coast of Hawaii last week.
The balloon was first detected on Friday, and was the latest balloon sighting after the US military shot down what officials said was a Chinese spy balloon about three months ago.
A defence official has told The Associated Press there was no indication the latest balloon was connected to China or any other adversary, and it presented no threats to aviation or national security.
The official said the balloon was floating at about 11,000 metres, and did not fly over any critical defence infrastructure or sensitive sites.
After determining that the balloon presented no threat to people on the ground or to aviation over Hawaii, the military took no action to bring it down, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations.
Queensland firefighter dies after factory fire south of Brisbane
By Tom Williams
A Queensland firefighter injured in a factory blaze south of Brisbane yesterday has died in hospital overnight.
Emergency crews were called to the site near the Pacific Highway at Slacks Creek yesterday morning.
Queensland Fire and Emergency Services has released a statement this morning confirming that firefighter Izabella Nash has died:
"It is with heavy hearts we can confirm Fire and Rescue Service firefighter Izabella Nash has passed away overnight following a Slacks Creek factory fire yesterday morning. The thoughts of QFES are with Izzy’s family, friends and crew members."
Nash served as a First Class Firefighter and had been with the QFES since 2014.
Firefighter Lia Drew, who was also injured in the blaze, remains in hospital in a serious but stable condition.
The fire remains under investigation.
Man arrested, controlled explosion outside Buckingham Palace
By Tom Williams
Some news just in from London:
Police say a man has been arrested and a controlled explosion carried out outside Buckingham Palace.
It comes just days out from King Charles III's coronation, which will take place on Saturday.
Officers say the arrested man approached the gates of Buckingham Palace and threw what appeared to be shotgun cartridges onto the palace grounds.
The controlled explosion took place after the man was "found to be in possession of a suspicious bag".
Chief Superintendent Joseph McDonald, said: “There have been no reports of any shots fired, or any injuries to officers or members of the public.
“Officers remain at the scene and further enquiries are ongoing.”
You can keep up to date with this breaking story, below:
Nick Cave explains why he's going to King Charles III's coronation
By Tom Williams
"Why the f*** are you going to the King's coronation?"
"Are you a Monarchist? Why go?"
"The coronation. Seriously????"
These are just some of the messages Australian music icon Nick Cave has received since being announced as a guest for King Charles III's coronation this Saturday.
So, the transgressive singer-songwriter has responded in a blog post as part of his The Red Hand Files series.
Here's what he wrote (with my favourite bits highlighted in bold):
Dear Jon, Adrian, Roger and Matt,
I'll make this a quick one because I've got to work out what I am going to wear to the Coronation.
I am not a monarchist, nor am I a royalist, nor am I an ardent republican for that matter; what I am also not is so spectacularly incurious about the world and the way it works, so ideologically captured, so damn grouchy, as to refuse an invitation to what will more than likely be the most important historical event in the UK of our age. Not just the most important, but the strangest, the weirdest.
I once met the late Queen at an event at Buckingham Palace for 'Aspirational Australians living in the UK' (or something like that). It was a mostly awkward affair, but the Queen herself, dressed in a salmon coloured twin-set, seemed almost extraterrestrial and was the most charismatic woman I have ever met. Maybe it was the lighting, but she actually glowed. As I told my mother – who was the same age as the Queen and, like the Queen, died in her nineties – about that day, her old eyes filled with tears. When I watched the Queen's funeral on the television last year I found, to my bafflement, that I was weeping myself as the coffin was stripped of the crown, orb and sceptre and lowered through the floor of St. George's Chapel. I guess what I am trying to say is that, beyond the interminable but necessary debates about the abolition of the monarchy, I hold an inexplicable emotional attachment to the Royals – the strangeness of them, the deeply eccentric nature of the whole affair that so perfectly reflects the unique weirdness of Britain itself. I'm just drawn to that kind of thing – the bizarre, the uncanny, the stupefyingly spectacular, the awe-inspiring.
And as for what the young Nick Cave would have thought – well, the young Nick Cave was, in all due respect to the young Nick Cave, young, and like many young people, mostly demented, so I'm a little cautious around using him as a benchmark for what I should or should not do. He was cute though, I'll give him that. Deranged, but cute.
So, with all that in mind, I am looking forward to going the Coronation. I think I'll wear a suit.
Love, Nick
News Australia is searching for: NBA MVP
By Tom Williams
In basketball, the NBA's MVP (Most Valuable Player) award will be announced at 9am AEST today (that's 7pm ET in the US).
The previously announced finalists are:
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
- Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers)
- Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
Embiid appears to be the favourite this year, after leading the NBA in scoring for a second-straight season. The 76ers centre lost the MVP award to Jokić in the past two seasons.
If Jokić wins again, however, he would be the first player to win three consecutive MVP awards since Boston's Larry Bird (from 1984 to 1986).
The award is decided by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters, as well as fans.
We'll bring you the announcement of the winner when it happens this morning.
One more thing: This US senator voted shirtless (and in bed) over Zoom
By Tom Williams
Here's a story with a very strong Wednesday vibe.
A senator in the US state of Minnesota has become a reluctant social media star after voting shirtless while lying in bed during a meeting.
In a video streamed on YouTube (which you can watch below from the 6:35 mark), Republican Senator Calvin Bahr can briefly be seen voting during a Zoom call.
After voting, Bahr quickly turns his camera off, leaving a black screen showing just his name.
You can then see some people in the office trying not to laugh at his brief appearance.
A GOP Senate spokeswoman said Bahr, a truck driver, worked until 4:45am on the day of the meeting, so we'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
(Watch from 6:35)
