Live updates: Donald Trump announces his own NFT rally, survivors remember Lindt Cafe siege on eighth anniversary

This is The Loop, your quick catch-up on the morning’s news as it happens.

Live updates

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Good morning. You’re reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today’s headlines, this Friday 16 December.

Thank you for joining us.

Here are some things that have happened.

Russia warns of “consequences” if US missiles go to Ukraine

By Bridget Judd

Russia’s Foreign Ministry has warned that if the United States confirms reports that it plans to deliver sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine, it will “another provocative move” who might get a response from Moscow.

A firefighter examines a burnt out car.
(AP)

the ministry’s spokesperson Maria Zakharova said in a weekly briefing that the US had “effectively become a party” to the war in Ukraine, following reports that it will supply Kyiv with Patriot surface-to-air missiles.

Increasing amounts of US military aid “would mean even wider involvement of military personnel in the hostilities and may have possible consequences“, Zakharova added, without specifying what the consequences might be.

It comes after US officials said Washington was ready to approve sending one Patriot missile battery to Ukraine, finally agreeing to an urgent request from Ukrainian leaders desperate for more robust weapons.

Contaminated spinach lands Aussies in hospital

By Felicity Ripper

On smallest nine people from four separate households across Sydney have required medical attention after eating packaged fresh spinach, believed to be accidentally contaminated.

People are encouraged to throw out any packages with Riviera Farms brand spinach, sold through retailers Costcowith an expiration date on it 16 December this year.

NSW Health said the product was not safe to consume and people in possession of it should throw it out.

Survivors remember the Lindt Cafe siege on its eighth anniversary

By Felicity Ripper

Key event

This morning it was eight years ago two hostages were killed in Lindt Cafe besiege i Sydney’s Martin Place.

On this day in 2014, tactical police stormed the Lindt Cafe in Sydney’s Martin Place, ending a 16-hour standoff with a gunman.

The gunman took 17 employees and customers hostage in the cafe.

Cafe manager Tori Johnson was killed when Man Haron Monis shot him at point blank range and Barrister Katrina Dawson died when the police stormed the cafe.

Survivor Louisa Hope says Christmas and the anniversary of the siege bring back traumatic memories of the day.

Tennis legend Boris Becker has been released from prison

By Felicity Ripper

German tennis legend Boris Becker has returned to Germany after serving eight months in prison in the UK.

It was the 55-year-old, who has lived in the UK since 2012 released Thursday (UK time) and returned to Germany shortly afterwards.

His lawyer Christian-Oliver Moser said Becker had served his sentence and was “not subject to any criminal restrictions in Germany”.

The three-time Wimbledon champion had been sentenced to 30 months in prison in April for illegally transferring large amounts of money and hiding assets after he was declared bankrupt.

He was released early under an expedited deportation program for foreign nationals.

A portrait of a man with a blank expression.
Former tennis player Boris Becker at Southwark Crown Court in London earlier this year. (AP: Frank Augstein/ File)

The Golden Globes will honor the creator of Glee

By Felicity Ripper

Key event

TV writer and producer Ryan Murphycreator of hits from Glee, 9-1-1 and American Horror Storywill receive one honor for lifetime achievement at Hollywood’s Golden Globes ceremony next month.

Murphy’s appearance will add another big name January 10 line-up as organizers try to recover from a diversity and ethics scandal.

The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the group that votes for the Golden Globes, said it would celebrate Murphy’s contribution to television with its fourth Carol Burnett Award.

Previous honorees included Burnett, Ellen DeGeneres and Norman Lear.

The White House has revealed its winter plans for COVID-19

By Felicity Ripper

Key event

Households across the United States will each get four rapid virus testsJoe Biden’s administration announced Thursday (US time) as part of its plans to curb a winter surge in COVID-19 cases.

After a three-month break, the government is again making the tests available through covidtests.gov starting this week.

COVID-19 cases are on the rise across the United States after Thanksgiving, and additional surges are projected from indoor gathering and travel around Christmas and New Year.

News Australia is searching for

By Felicity Ripper

  • Henry Cavill: The actor who has played Clark Kent in the DC Extended Universe since 2013 won’t appear in the next Superman movie – and he doesn’t seem happy about it. The Man of Steel star announced the “sad” news on Instagram.

Loading Instagram content

One more thing

By Felicity Ripper

In a video posted on social media, Donald Trump has announced that he is releasing his very own NFT (non-fungible token) collection.

They are called Trump digital trading cards and they cost $99.

“These are just like baseball cards, but you collect them digitally, on your computer or phone,” the product’s website says.

Mr Trump said each card comes with the chance to win “fantastic prizes”, one of which is a dinner with the former president himself.

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