Hi there. It's Thursday, April 7, and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news.
Let's start here
Toyota could end up paying more than $2 billion to customers as part of a class action that challenged the auto giant over faulty diesel particulate filters, with the action covering more than 264,000 Hilux, Fortuner and Prado vehicles.
- Diesel particulate filters (DPFs)are designed to capture and burn off harmful pollutants before they get released into the air
- The faulty DPFs caused cars to spew out foul-smelling white smoke
- A Toyota spokesperson said the company was reviewing the court's judgement
In a Federal Court judgement handed down today, Justice Michael Lee found Toyota customers purchased vehicles with defects and, as a result, the value of their cars was reduced by 17.5 per cent on the average retail price, or more than $7,000 per car.
What else is going on
- Police have escorted South Australia's Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier outside of the Supreme Court as she was mobbed by a group of anti-vaccine mandate protesters. She was spared from giving evidence at a court bid to overturn COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers, but protesters yelled "shame" at her as she entered and left the court.
- Clive Palmer says he expects the United Australia Party will spend a further $40 million on advertising throughout the federal election campaign, on top of the $30 million already spent. He told the National Press Club today the UAP would place the Liberal Party, Labor and the Greens last on all its how-to-vote cards at the upcoming federal election (but didn't specify in what order).
- Australia has announced more sanctions against Russian elites after the "emergence of evidence of war crimes" in Bucha and other Ukrainian towns. Foreign Minister Marise Payne, who is in Brussels for NATO talks, told reporters 67 oligarchs and people close to Vladimir Putin who "facilitate and support his outrageous actions" were being targeted.
What Australia has been searching for online
- Kinder Surprise. Food Standards Australia and NZ says a range of Kinder Easter eggs sold "nationally at Coles, Woolworths, Target, Kmart, Big W, independent food retailers including IGA and petrol stations, and online" have been recalled due to potential salmonella contamination
- Pat Cummins. The Aussie Test captain has equalled an IPL record, smashing 50 in just 14 balls for the Kolkata Knight Riders. The Knight Riders had needed 35 off 30 balls but chased the total down in one over
One more thing
Meet Australian vet Lachlan Campbell, who has been in war-torn Ukraine for three weeks tending to hundreds of sick, injured and abandoned animals.
He only planned on going as far as the Poland-Ukraine border, but soon realised he wanted to go further to help animals in desperate need.
The Sunshine Coast-based vet says he plans to check on animals around Kyiv, Irpin and Bucha in the coming days. Some animals in the towns had been abandoned in homes for more than a month without food, water or warmth.
He says he's appreciative of the more than $70,000 in donations he has received from around the world to help cover a range of costs such as food, medication and treatment for the animals in Ukraine.
"What I've really been able to do is come into these areas where the foundations and charities are working and say, 'Hey guys, what do you need? What can I do to help you?' and make a real difference."
You're up to date
See you tomorrow.
ABC/wires
