1. One of Great Barrier Reef’s healthiest reefs suffers mass bleaching
John Brewer Reef, situated about 70km off Townsville’s coast in Queensland, has been long recognised as one of the healthiest pockets of our iconic Great Barrier Reef, until recent findings of widespread bleaching events. “The coral is basically starving,” says Dr Adam Smith, the managing director of consultancy firm Reef Ecologic.

“We’ve definitely just seen corals that are stressed and white.

“This is one of the healthiest reefs off Townsville and one of the best reefs on the whole Great Barrier Reef. So for these corals to be stressed and damaged … well, it’s likely it’s the same at other reefs down here.”

The findings mark the first time a bleaching event has occurred during the cooler conditions of a La Nina weather pattern.

2. Ukraine update: War drives 10 million from homes, Mariupol under siege
Russia’s invasion has driven 10 million people -- nearly a quarter of Ukraine’s population -- from their homes, according to the United Nations. EU says Russia’s invasion has showcased the need for the bloc to enhance its military capabilities. The Russian army is concentrating on seizing the Black Sea port of Mariupol after it failed in its efforts to force regime change in Ukraine, according to officials and diplomats from several countries. The offensive suggests the Kremlin may be adjusting its goals to focus on establishing a land corridor linking Crimea with the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine, two areas where Russia is already in control, the officials and diplomats said. Russia bans Facebook, Instagram under “extremism” law.

3. Huawei lashes out at US claims of espionage
Chinese tech giant Huawei said new charges brought against the company by the US Department of Justice were without merit and were part of an attempt to “irrevocably damage Huawei’s reputation and its business”. CNBC reports that Federal prosecutors announced on Thursday new criminal charges against Huawei and two of its US subsidiaries, which included racketeering conspiracy charges and a charge of plotting to steal trade secrets from American companies.

“The U.S. has been misusing its national power to oppress Chinese companies with no proof of any wrongdoing. Such practice is disgraceful and immoral, and it is beneath the status of the U.S. as a major country,” said China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesman, Geng Shuang

4. China Eastern Airlines flight crashes into mountain ridge with 132 people on board
A Boeing Co. 737-800 NG plane operated by China Eastern Airlines Corp. crashed on Monday in the southwestern Chinese region of Guangxi. Radar tracking shows the plane descended steeply on an almost vertical trajectory, with the aircraft disappearing off the flight tracker at 2:22:35pm local time. Boeing shares fell 5.6% to US$182.02. 

5. ASX to rise, US bond yields surge on Powell rate comments
ASX futures were up 80 points or 1.1% to 7316 near 7am AEDT, with the AUD -0.2% to 73.97 US cents. On Wall St: Dow -0.6% S&P 500 -0.1% Nasdaq -0.4%. Brent crude +6% to $US114.40 a barrel. 2-year yield: US +0.18% (2.12%) Australia +0.01% (1.37%). 10-year yield: US +0.15% (2.30%) Australia -- (2.57%).