Hi there. It's Monday, September 19 and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news.
Our Loops look a bit different at the moment as people across Australia and around the world mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II. We'll return to our usual programming soon, but for now, we hope these special editions of the Loop help you stay up to date.
The Queen: The lying-in-state period has officially ended
- The doors of Westminster Hall closed to mourners about 3:30pm AEST, marking the end of four full days of the Queen's coffin lying in state.
- The next big moment will happen about 7:35pm AEST, when Queen Elizabeth's coffin will be lifted from the catafalque and be carried to the State Gun Carriage of the Royal Navy.
- The Queen's funeral will begin at 8pm AEST (11am in London).
- It will be broadcast live on ABC NEWS channel and ABC NewsRadio, and you can join the conversation on our live blog too.
Local news: Australian stories you might have missed
- The NSW bureaucrat at the centre of the controversial appointment of John Barilaro to a US trade role has been sacked. A review found Amy Brown — the chief executive of Investment NSW — failed to adhere to the Code of Ethics when appointing the former deputy premier to the job.
- South Australia is winding back its COVID restrictions —scrapping requirements for visitors to aged care homes to be vaccinated, and for masks to be worn on public transport.
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A 42-year-old pilot has died after his light aircraft crashed in dense bushland in Victoria's high country this morning. Sadly, another plane crashed near Chinchilla in western Queensland this afternoon. The pilot died at the scene.
International news: What's happening around the world
- There has been severe flooding and landslides in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Fiona made landfall on the south-west coast. It's bringing torrential rains and winds up to 140kph, and the electricity grid has been knocked out, leaving 3.3 million people without power.
- China has recorded its first monkeypox infection, prompting the country's chief epidemiologist, Dr Wu Zunyou, to advise locals against "skin to skin" contact with strangers.
Looking it up: What Australians have been searching online
Post Malone has had to cut his show in the US city of St Louis short after falling into a stage trapdoor and injuring his ribs.
Medics rushed to the stage, but he was back on about 15 minutes later.
"There was a big-ass hole in the middle of the stage that I just busted my ass on," he told the crowd.
"St Louis, I’m so f***ing sorry I ruined the show tonight, ladies and gentlemen … I promise next time I come around, I won’t f***ing wreck y’all's night, I’m sorry for that. That being said, I want to thank you for your patience and I’m sorry."
You're up to date
Thanks for reading. 👋
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