Heat forward Jimmy Butler on leave of absence after death in family

The leading news at lunchtime. Ruby Cornish brings you the day’s top stories and the latest news as it unfolds, with reporters in the community across Australia and around the world reporting on the issues that matter to you.

Ireland maintain their push for successive Six Nations Grand Slams with a comfortable, if sometimes scrappy, bonus-point win over Italy.

NC State continued its hot streak and beat Marquette to reach the Elite Eight and Purdue looked dominant against Gonzaga.