TGIF, happy new financial year and so on. It's Friday, July 1, and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news.
Let's start here
In a major update to the National Cervical Screening Program, Australia has become the first country to offer self-testing swabs to those due for their screening.
Anyone aged between 25 and 74 with a cervix is eligible to self-collect their own sample
All it takes is a visit to your GP who will provide you with a screening kit for you to complete privately without anyone watching. Game-changer indeed!
The national program has helped halve cervical cancer rates since it was introduced in 1991, but in recent years, the figures on cervical cancer in Australia haven't budged much.
This change is a big deal because most cervical cancers occur in women who have never screened or do not screen regularly, but self-screening aims to help provide more accessibility for cervix owners.
What else is going on
- Award-winning Indigenous actor, musician and activist Uncle Jack Charles has accused the Stolen Generations Advisory Committee of racism after being asked to prove his Aboriginality. He told ABC Radio Melbourne's Drive program that a worker told him there were too many people falsely claiming to be Indigenous
- Throwing a party in someone else's crib this weekend? Airbnb has permanently banned all parties at its holiday rentals, extending a set of measures that were put in place to stop large gatherings during the pandemic. Here's what you need to know about the rules before making your next booking
What Australia has been searching for online
- Technoblade. The popular gaming YouTuber's family has posted a video on his channel, which has almost 11 million subscribers, letting him tell fans in his own words that he has died of cancer. You can watch the message from his dad here (it contains some heavy content):
- Guy Sebastian. The musician's former manager Titus Day has avoided jail, for now, as he awaits sentencing for embezzling more than $600,000. Sebastian told Channel Seven he "couldn't have hoped for better timing" for the verdict (he's about to begin a 500km walk to raise money for his youth mental health charity)
One more thing
ICYMI yesterday, Channel Seven is NOT happy with the Big Bash League.
Seven has commenced legal action against Cricket Australia in the Federal Court to terminate its $450 million TV rights deal and claim compensation for "multiple quality and standard breaches".
The bulk of those alleged breaches relate to the BBL.
ABC national sport reporter David Mark has taken a closer look at why Seven wants out, revealing scheduling, the quality of players, salary caps and the lack of player auctions are all key concerns.
Meanwhile, the Aussies have smashed Sri Lanka by 10 wickets in the first Test in Galle. Australia was chasing just five runs to win in the second innings, executed in less than an over thanks to a four and a six from David Warner.
You're up to date
Have a great weekend.
ABC/wires
