This is The Loop, your quick catch-up on this morning's news as it happened.
Key events
Live updates
Stay in The Loop
By Bridget Judd
That's all for The Loop this morning — thanks for following along!
We'll be back on Monday, but in the meantime, you can stay up to date on the ABC News website and by subscribing to our mobile alerts.
If you're just joining us, here's what you need to know:
-
Today is the deadline for the inquiry into Scott Morrison's secret ministries to report to the PM.
-
Qantas domestic flight attendants have voted to take industrial action in the next four weeks unless they can reach an agreement with the airline on wages.
-
Much of Ukraine remains without heat or power after the most devastating Russian air strikes on its energy grid so far.
- And throngs of spectators have lined the streets of New York for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — an annual tradition which dates back nearly a century.
Deputy Liberal leader supports closing 'loophole' that allowed Scott Morrison to secretly appoint himself to ministries
By Bridget Judd
As we've heard, former High Court justice Virginia Bell will today hand down the findings of her three-month inquiry into Scott Morrison's decision to take on five extra portfolios, without the knowledge of most ministers involved.
Deputy Liberal leader Sussan Ley has rejected suggestions the shadow cabinet sought to downplay the seriousness of the matter.
"We will support any action or steps required to close the loophole that facilitated this, and that includes legislative change by the way."
UK restricts Chinese cameras in government buildings over security fears
By Bridget Judd
The British government has directed its departments to stop installing Chinese-linked surveillance cameras at sensitive buildings, citing security risks.
The decision comes after a review of "current and future possible security risks associated with the installation of visual surveillance systems on the government estate", cabinet office minister Oliver Dowden said in a written statement to parliament.
"The review has concluded that, in light of the threat to the UK and the increasing capability and connectivity of these systems, additional controls are required," Dowden said.
The Bureau of Meteorology's weather outlook for summer
By Bridget Judd
The Bureau's Dr Andrew Watkins says eastern Australia is tending to still look at above-average rainfall.
Egypt announces freedom, mass pardon for 30 jailed activists
By Bridget Judd
Egypt has announced the release of 30 political activists from jail, the latest in a series of mass releases from detention amid intensifying international scrutiny over the country’s human rights record.
There was no immediate word on the identities of the activists and it was not immediately possible to confirm how many of them have already been freed.
The announcement came from Tarik el-Awady, a member of Egypt’s presidential pardon committee. He said the 30 had been in pre-trial detention, facing charges related to their "opinions".
What can we expect out of the report into Scott Morrison's secret ministries?
By Bridget Judd
As we heard a short time ago, today is the deadline for the inquiry into Scott Morrison's secret ministries to report to the PM.
In August, Anthony Albanese appointed former High Court justice Virginia Bell to lead the inquiry following revelations that Mr Morrison had been secretly self-appointed to administer several ministries throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The ABC's Jane Norman says we could expect some recommendations around improving the transparency and accountability of the appointment of ministries.
"The Prime Minister has guaranteed the report will be made public. The expectation is the report will be handed to the government today and publicly released.
"We don't know if there might be some sort of hold-up but Mr Albanese has guaranteed that this report, when he receives it, will be made public."
Qantas flight attendants vote to take industrial action in lead up to Christmas
By Bridget Judd
Qantas domestic flight attendants have voted to take industrial action in the next four weeks unless they can reach an agreement with the airline on wages.
The airline says it's offering a three per cent annual payrise and access to $7,000 in bonus payments.
But the Secretary of the Flight Attendants Association of Australia, Teri O'Toole, says the offer doesn't compensate for the COVID pay freeze.
"Well there's a two year pay freeze included in the three per cent. And when you look at the eight years that you stretch those bonuses over, they're less than two dollars a day.
"So we have to recognise that our Qantas domestic crew are some of the lowest paid workers in the country. They're getting less than $48,000 a year."
Teens arrested over theft of luxury cars, police allege activities livestreamed on social emdia
By Bridget Judd
Thirteen teenagers have been arrested over the theft of luxury cars and police pursuits in the NSW Hunter Region.
A strike force was set up by police from four Hunter Valley commands after homes were broken into and luxury cars stolen.
Police will allege social media platforms were used by the teenagers, who are facing a total of 37 charges, to livestream their activities.
French politicians vote to make abortion a constitutional right
By Bridget Judd
Politicians in France's lower house have adopted a resolution to enshrine abortion rights in the country's constitution.
It was decriminalised in France under a 1975 law, but there's nothing in the constitution that guarantees abortion rights.
French Justice Minister, Eric Dupond-Moretti, says that must change.
"The government supports enshrining abortion rights in our constitution.
"History provides numerous examples of fundamental freedoms that we thought were acquired and which, however, were ended with the stroke of a pen by events, crisis, or groundswells."
Looking for the latest on the World Cup?
By Bridget Judd
The ABC's Dan Colasimone has all the latest action in our other live blog.
Ukraine struggles to restore power in war's first winter as temperatures plummet
By Bridget Judd
Much of Ukraine remains without heat or power after the most devastating Russian air strikes on its energy grid so far.
Ukrenergo, which oversees Ukraine's national power grid, says 50 per cent of demand in Ukraine is not being met after key energy facilities were hit.
In the capital Kyiv, a city of three million, 60 per cent of residents are without power amid temperatures well below freezing, mayor Vitaly Klitschko says.
"We understand that missile strikes like this could happen again. We have to be ready for any developments," he added, according to Kyiv city council.
Viewed from space, Ukraine has become a dark patch on the globe at night, satellite images released by NASA show.
While we're talking Twitter... Elon Musk is granting 'amnesty' to suspended accounts
By Bridget Judd
The billionaire’s announcement came after he asked in a poll posted to his timeline to vote on reinstatements for accounts that have not “broken the law or engaged in egregious spam".
The yes vote was 72 per cent.
“The people have spoken. Amnesty begins next week. Vox Populi, Vox Dei,” Musk tweeted using a Latin phrase meaning “the voice of the people, the voice of God.”
Musk posted a similar poll last last weekend before reinstating the account of former president Donald Trump, which Twitter had banned for encouraging the US Capitol riot.
Twitter slips on removing hate speech, EU review says
By Bridget Judd
A report from the European Union has found that Twitter took longer to review hateful content and removed less of it in 2022 compared with the previous year.
The EU figures were published as part of an annual evaluation of online platforms’ compliance with the 27-nation bloc’s code of conduct on disinformation.
Twitter wasn’t alone — most other tech companies signed up to the voluntary code also scored worse.
But the figures could foreshadow trouble for Twitter in complying with the EU’s tough new online rules after owner Elon Musk fired many of the platform’s 7,500 full-time workers and an number of contractors responsible for content moderation.
The EU report found Twitter assessed just over half of the notifications it received about illegal hate speech within 24 hours, down from 82 per cent in 2021.
Summer weather forecast wetter in some states and territories, average in others
By Bridget Judd
Whether you are camping, going to the beach, house-boating or four-wheel driving, this summer is going to be wet and cool for some and hot and sunny for others.
You can move the slider below to see how things are shaping up across the country.
"Eastern Australia is tending to still look at above-average rainfall, unfortunately, for the eastern half of Queensland, New South Wales, much of Victoria and eastern Tasmania as well," according to Andrew Watkins, head of long-range forecasting at the BOM.
Today is the deadline for the inquiry into Scott Morrison's secret ministries to report to the PM
By Bridget Judd
In August, Anthony Albanese appointed former High Court justice Virginia Bell to lead the inquiry.
It followed revelations that Mr Morrison had been secretly self-appointed to administer several ministries throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.
The inquiry was to examine how the appointments were made and the implications arising from them, as well as make recommendations on any changes to transparency and accountability.
One thing to know: Walmart shooter seemed to target certain people, witness says
By Bridget Judd
Jessica Wilczewski said that workers were gathered in a store break room to begin their overnight shift late Tuesday (local time) when team leader Andre Bing entered and opened fire with a handgun.
While another witness has described Bing as shooting wildly, Ms Wilczewski said that she observed him target certain people.
“The way he was acting — he was going hunting,” Ms Wilczewski told The Associated Press.
“The way he was looking at people’s faces and the way he did what he did, he was picking people out.”
Police are trying to determine a motive for what was the nation’s second high-profile mass shooting in four days.
The gunman was dead when officers arrived at the store in Chesapeake, Virginia’s second-largest city, authorities said.
What else is happening: Iranian soccer player arrested amid World Cup scrutiny
By Bridget Judd
Iran has arrested a prominent former member of its national soccer team over his criticism of the government.
The semiofficial Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported that Voria Ghafouri was arrested for “insulting the national soccer team and propagandising against the government.”
Ghafouri, who was not chosen to go to the World Cup, has been an outspoken critic of Iranian authorities throughout his career.
He objected to a longstanding ban on women spectators at men’s soccer matches as well as Iran’s confrontational foreign policy, which has led to crippling Western sanctions.
More recently, he expressed sympathy for the family of a 22-year-old woman whose death while in the custody of Iran’s morality police ignited the latest protests.
Here's the news Australia is searching for online
By Bridget Judd
Queen Elizabeth: More than 1,000 Paddington Bears have been donated to children at an east London nursery by the Queen Consort, Camilla. Thousands were left in tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II.
Portugal national football team: Cristiano Ronaldo says he is living a "beautiful moment" after becoming the first player to score in five men's World Cups as he helped Portugal to a 3-2 victory over Ghana.
One more thing: Bluey has taken over New York
By Bridget Judd
Well, not quite.
Throngs of spectators have lined the streets of New York for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
The annual tradition, which dates back nearly a century, packed streets as a procession of giant inflatables and floats streamed for more than 40 blocks from Central Park to Herald Square.
Australia's favourite blue heeler, Bluey, made her parade debut with a balloon that was as tall as a four-story building.
Let's set you up for the day
By Bridget Judd
Good morning, it's Friday, November 25 (officially a month until Christmas) and you're reading The Loop.
From a new World Cup record to an enormous blue heeler that's taken over the streets of New York, here's what you need to know this morning.
