Good morning, it's Tuesday, April 19. Here's what you need to get going today.
One thing to know right now: Russia's full-scale attack on eastern Ukraine begins
Here's the lowdown:
- Russia has launched its long-feared offensive to take control of Ukraine's east, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said in a late-night video statement:
- He also said they would continue to defend themselves:
- The Donbas is Ukraine’s mostly Russian-speaking industrial heartland in the east, where Moscow-backed separatists have been fighting Ukrainian forces for the past eight years and have declared two independent republics that have been recognised by Russia
- In recent weeks, the Kremlin declared the capture of the Donbas its main goal of the war after its attempt to storm Kyiv failed.
One thing you’ll be hearing about today: The election
Here's where the major party leaders will be today:
- Scott Morrison will address business leaders in Perth, and is expected to speak about the importance of the state's resources industry to the economy, promising no adverse tax changes for the industry
- The Coalition holds 10 of 15 seats in Western Australia — and the PM will be sandbagging those, by spruiking the resources sector and crediting it with "powering" Australia during the pandemic
- Opposition leader Anthony Albanese is in Queensland for a fourth day, promising more money for a veteran-led disaster response organisation — $38 million over three years for Disaster Relief Australia
- Labor holds six of 30 lower house seats in Queensland, making it a key battleground.
Keep up with the campaign on our dedicated Australia Votes page
News while you snoozed
Let's get you up to speed.
- A US federal judge has struck down a national mask mandate covering aeroplanes and other public transportation, ruling it exceeded the authority of health officials. It was not immediately clear when the judge's order would take effect
- The Red Cross says flooding in South Africa has displaced more than 40,000 people after torrential rains triggered floods and mudslides last week. The death toll has climbed to 443.
- American far-right conspiracy website Infowars has filed for bankruptcy. Founder Alex Jones was found liable for damages in a trio of lawsuits after he falsely claimed the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre was a hoax.
The news Australia is searching for
- Thor: Love and Thunder: That's the news the teaser has been released — and it gives a first look at Natalie Portman's Lady Thor character (you'll have to stick around to the end of this):
One more thing: Cristiano Ronaldo's baby boy has died
Tragic news for the football superstar and his partner after the Manchester United striker revealed this morning that one of his newborn twins had passed away.
The joint statement with his partner, Georgina Rodriguez, said:
"Only the birth of our baby girl gives us the strength to live this moment with some hope and happiness."
Ronaldo announced last year that the couple was expecting twins.
The Portuguese footballer has four other children, the eldest being 11.
That's it for now
We'll be back later on with more.
ABC/wires
