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 me today. If you're catching up, here's a bit of what was covered (click the link to jump straight to the post):
-
Tributes to Puberty Blues writer Gabrielle Carey, who has died aged 64
-
Ukraine says it shot down its own drone flying out of control over Kyiv
-
US denies it was responsible for alleged drone attack on the Kremlin
- Napoli win their first Serie A title in 33 years
-
Father Bob to be farewelled at public state funeral today
-
A cold snap will hit the south-east this weekend
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.
'This needs to be brought to a conclusion': PM discusses Julian Assange in ABC interview
By Tom Williams
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese tells the ABC he is frustrated that his government has not been able to find a diplomatic solution to Julian Assange's ongoing incarceration, and he is concerned about the 51-year-old's health.
Assange has been held in London's Belmarsh Prison for more than four years, as the US seeks to extradite him over 18 charges relating to the publishing of tens of thousands of military and diplomatic documents.
"I know it's frustrating. I share the frustration. I can't do more than make very clear what my position is," Albanese says.
"And the US administration is certainly very aware of what the Australian government's position is."
The PM says Australia is working through diplomatic channels to make its position known, calling for Assange's case to be "brought to a conclusion".
You can read more about Europe bureau chief Steve Cannane's interview at the link below:
Don't worry, there's always next week's quiz!
By Tom Williams
5/10 what is wrong with me?!
- Natty
Carrie Fisher receives posthumous star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
By Tom Williams
The late Carrie Fisher has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — a May the Fourth tribute to the beloved Star Wars actor.
Fisher's daughter, Billie Lourd, wearing her mother’s portrait printed on a metallic dress, accepted the star on her behalf before throwing glitter over it.
"My mum used to say you weren’t actually famous until you became a Pez dispenser," she said.
"Well, people eat candy out of her neck every day. I say you aren’t actually famous until you get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
"My mum is a double-whammy — a Pez dispenser and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame now. Mama, you’ve made it."
Medibank hit with fresh class action after data hack
By Tom Williams
Law firm Slater and Gordon has launched legal action against Medibank on behalf of customers whose personal information was compromised in a massive data breach.
The case is the latest class action to hit the health insurance giant after millions of customers had private details exposed in an October hack.
The law firm's statement of claim, filed in the Federal Court, alleges Medibank and its subsidiary Australian Health Management breached privacy and consumer laws as well data retention legislation.
Members of the class action are seeking compensation for losses, including time and money spent replacing identity documents.
They are also seeking damages for non-economic losses like distress, frustration and disappointment.
"This was one of the most serious data breaches in Australia's history," Slater and Gordon class action practice group leader Ben Hardwick said.
"Medibank should have had adequate measures in place to prevent all of this, yet they didn't."
Reporting by AAP
Tributes to Puberty Blues writer Gabrielle Carey, who has died aged 64
By Tom Williams
Australian author Gabrielle Carey, who co-wrote the 1979 novel Puberty Blues, has died aged 64.
Carey co-wrote the semi-autobiographical book with Kathy Lette about their experiences growing up in Sydney's Sutherland Shire. A television series based on the book also ran between 2012 and 2014.
Lette — and others who knew, or were fans of Carey — have shared their tributes online.
Have you read Puberty Blues or any of Carey's other works?
It's quiz time!
By Tom Williams
It's Friday, which means it's time for the weekly news quiz.
Give it your best shot at the link here, and let me know your score in the comments.
A cold snap will hit the south-east this weekend
By Tom Williams
It's time to rug up if you're in south-east Australia, as there's a polar air mass from deep in the Southern Ocean which is about to deliver a bitter cold snap.
Here's how ABC meteorologist Tom Saunders explains the forecast:
"The early taste of winter will send temperatures as much as eight degrees below average for May, bringing pockets of hail and thunder along with the first snowfall of the year along stretches of the ranges.
"While cold weather in autumn is far from unprecedented, this weekend will bring the coldest early May weather for three years."
Here is the Bureau of Meteorology's look at the weekend ahead:
Here's how to watch Father Bob's state funeral
By Tom Williams
What's the link for the live stream of Father Bob's funeral today please? Can't find it on the St Patrick's website.
- Faron
Hi Faron,
The ABC News YouTube channel will be streaming Father Bob's funeral from 11am today.
The stream will also be shown in Melbourne's Fed Square.
Sydney cancer treatment centre allegedly targeted in cyber attack
By Tom Williams
A major cancer treatment centre in Sydney has been targeted by cyber criminals, who are threatening to release stolen data unless they're paid.
Hackers have hit the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, which is part of Westmead Hospital in the city's west.
It's unclear what type of data has been stolen and how many people are affected.
New South Wales Health says it's aware of the threat and is trying to work out whether any data has been affected.
You can read more about this story here:
Napoli win their first Serie A title in 33 years
By Tom Williams
Napoli have won their third Serie A title — and their first in 33 years — after a 1-1 draw at Udinese secured an unassailable lead in the standings.
Napoli's triumph ended the city's long wait for the Scudetto since Argentine great Diego Maradona led them to two championships in 1986-87 and 1989-90.
A second-half goal by Victor Osimhen secured Napoli the title with five games remaining in the season.
As the final whistle blew, Napoli supporters rushed onto the pitch to celebrate the momentous occasion alongside the players.
Napoli have 80 points, securing their position at the top of the table. Second-placed Lazio, who also have five games left to play, are 16 points behind.
Ukraine says it shot down its own drone flying out of control over Kyiv
By Tom Williams
Ukraine's air force says it has destroyed one of its own drones after it started flying out of control over Kyiv.
"On 4th May at about 8 p.m. during a planned flight in Kyiv region, control was lost over a Baykartar TV2 drone," the air force said in a statement on Telegram.
"As the uncontrolled flight of the drone in skies over the capital could have led to undesirable consequences, the decision was taken to use mobile fire groups. The target - destroyed!"
The statement says the drone probably suffered a technical failure.
The drone appears to be the one captured in the video below, which was filmed flying over Kyiv before being shot down.
Ed Sheeran wins copyright case brought by Marvin Gay's heirs
By Tom Williams
In case you missed this news from overnight — singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran has won a copyright case which was brought against him by the heirs of music legend Marvin Gay.
A jury in a Manhattan federal court has decided Sheeran's 2014 hit Thinking Out Loud did not unlawfully copy Marvin Gaye's 1973 song Let's Get It On.
Sheeran says he is "not a piggy bank to shake", and is "devastated" to be accused of stealing someone else's song.
"I want to thank the jury for making the decision that will help protect the creative process for songwriters here in the United States and all around the world," he says.
US denies it was responsible for alleged drone attack on the Kremlin
By Tom Williams
The White House has dismissed what it calls Russian "lies" alleging the United States was responsible for a purported drone attack against the Kremlin in Moscow.
Russia claims the US was behind what it says was a drone attack on the Kremlin which aimed to kill President Vladimir Putin.
White House national security spokesperson John Kirby says there is still no conclusive evidence as to the authenticity of a video showing the alleged drone attack.
Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov, without providing evidence, said Ukraine had acted on US orders when it launched what Russia said was a drone attack on the Kremlin building in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
"We know very well that decisions about such actions, about such terrorist attacks, are made not in Kyiv but in Washington," Mr Peskov said.
Kirby said the US did not encourage or enable Ukraine to strike outside its borders.
"I can assure you that there was no involvement by the United States in this. Whatever it was did not involve us," Mr Kirby told cable news network MSNBC.
"We still don't really know what happened."
Ukraine also denied involvement in the incident, which followed a string of explosions over the past week targeting freight trains and oil depots in western Russia and Russian-controlled Crimea.
News Australia is searching for: Queen Charlotte
By Tom Williams
Netflix series Bridgerton is back, this time with a prequel about the rise of Queen Charlotte.
But, as my colleague Jessica Riga points out, it's a "fiction inspired by fact", where all liberties taken are "quite intentional".
Before you dive into the show, check out Jessica's piece below about what we know about the real Queen Charlotte.
Father Bob to be farewelled at public state funeral today
By Tom Williams
Father Bob Maguire, the Catholic priest known for his charitable work and irreverent sense of humour, will be farewelled with a state funeral in Melbourne today.
The funeral, to be held from 11am at St Patrick's Cathedral in East Melbourne, will be open to the public but also live-streamed on the ABC News YouTube channel.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has said the service will "celebrate the life and work of a great Victorian. For our state, and the whole nation".
In lieu of flowers and at the request of Father' Bob's family, the Father Bob Foundation is calling for donations to continue its work.
The much-loved priest died late last month, aged 88.
One more thing: Royal fans are setting up camp for King Charles's coronation
By Tom Williams
Locals and tourists alike are securing their spots for King Charles III's coronation, which takes place in London tomorrow.
You can read up on the ABC's broadcast plans here.
Until then, here are some fresh pictures of some of the most elaborate setups and keenest royal watchers:
