Squiz Today – Thursday 24 June (TCC Test)

‘Murder’ in Myanmar as violence escalates

About 100 Myanmar pro-democracy protesters, including children, were killed by security forces in clashes across the country on Saturday. It was the worst bloodshed since February’s military coup and brought the total number of deaths to more than 400. State media issued a warning ahead of Saturday’s Armed Forces Day saying that peaceful protesters risked being shot “in the head and back”, but crowds took to the streets in Yangon, Mandalay and other cities where the military turned against them. Making things worse, reports say the military tried to intervene in the funerals that were held yesterday, opening fire at one. The violence has sparked global condemnation with the US saying security forces were “murdering unarmed civilians”. Oz’s Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the “latest events are a deeply concerning escalation in violence.”

‘Significant cultural challenges’ found in Aussie gymnastics

A report commissioned by Gymnastics Australia last year following allegations of abuse has uncovered a “toxic” culture of physical, emotional and sexual abuse in the sport. The Australian Human Rights Commission interviewed 57 participants and uncovered accusations of sexual abuse, body-shaming and bullying. It also revealed a harmful “win at all costs” mentality that has seen many gymnasts – mainly young females – pushed beyond their physical limits. Twelve recommendations were made around improving how complaints are addressed and preventing child abuse. Gymnastics Australia yesterday apologised but said abuse claims should be referred to the police by the alleged victims.

100 days to Tokyo

That tingling feeling in your toes isn’t a new fungal infection – it’s the Olympic spirit starting to take hold as yesterday marked 100 days until the start of the Tokyo Games. In keeping with the difficulties organisers have experienced in landing the sporting extravaganza, COVID chaos is still on their minds… It’s feared that Tokyo is on the cusp of a spike in new infections. And Japan lags behind the other developed countries when it comes to its vaccine rollout. International spectators have already been banned from attending, and it’s still unknown how many locals will be allowed in – if any. Meanwhile, the Aussie committee is gearing up – it announced viewing live sites in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth for fans to get amongst it when things kick off on 27 July.

A bit of balance brought to Origin

That’s probably not how NSW fans would see it, but after 2 big wins in the first games of rugby league’s state grudge series, Queensland was able to step it up to resurrect some state pride. The Maroons took out last night’s game 20-18 against the Blues on the Gold Coast. It was another turn at home for Queensland after COVID meant games scheduled for Melbourne and Sydney were relocated to the Sunshine State, but they were thumped in games 1 and 2. The southerners were fancied going into last night’s game, but they were without stars Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai. In the end, last night’s stars were the Maroons defence and Queenslander Ben Hunt with his 2 tries. Man of the series: NSW’s Tom Trbojevic. The last time NSW took out all 3 Origin games was in 2000. See you in 2022…

A sly fox is driving conservationists overseeing the Pilliga reserve in northwest NSW nuts. Nicknamed Rambo, they’ve laid 3,000 baits, spend thousands of hours looking for him on video and on the ground – and nothing. “He’s no typical fox,” said Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s Wayne Sparrow.

From next month, Belgians who accidentally kick or throw a ball into a neighbour’s garden will have the legal right to retrieve it. What you can’t do: deliberately put it over the fence so you can have a stickybeak…

And found: a unique way to remember a loved one during these difficult times…

Image source: Ben Jackson

12.30pm – Defence Minister Linda Reynolds addresses the National Press Club – Canberra

Former Liberal Staffer Brittany Higgins due to make a formal complain to police in Canberra about an alleged sexual assault in 2019

ABS Data Release – Wage Price Index, December; Construction Work Done, Preliminary, December

Teal Ribbon Day for Ovarian Cancer

Launceston Cup Day = a public holiday for the city

Birthdays for boxer Floyd Mayweather (1977) and tennis champ Lleyton Hewitt (1981)

Anniversary of:
• the sinking of the SS Gothenburg after hitting the Great Barrier Reef, killing approximately 100 (1875)
• the birthday of Steve Jobs (1955)
• the announcement of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer’s engagement (1981)
• Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love’s wedding (1992)
• former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein being found guilty in New York following associations that ignited the #MeToo movement (2020)

Read the email every day this week and you’ll go into the draw for a $100 gift card to spend at Country Road. Fancy.