The Headlines: A series that’ll keep you up-to-date between texting your friends, “No, that’s a bad idea, stop it.” And boy, do we have some chungus stories for you today. So, let’s get right to it, here are some of today’s biggest pieces of news:
Germany Protests FIFA’s Ban on One Love Armbands
The country of Qatar is hosting this year’s FIFA World Cup. It’s also a place that criminalises same-sex relationships and isn’t a safe place to be LGBTQIA+.
Many teams have wanted to protest this reality. In fact, the Socceroos provided a statement on this matter. However, FIFA has attempted to quell such protests. They have done so by warning several nations that if they wear One Love armbands during matches, they could be hit with sporting sanctions.
The One Love armbands symbolise that LGBTQIA+ people should be accepted in football and across the planet.
In response to this FIFA warning, the German team expressed their anger at said situation. Before their match with Japan, the team covered their mouths. This symbolised the fact that FIFA was censoring them. Seven players also wore Adidas boots adorned with rainbow stitching during the game.
Germany’s Interior Minister, Nancy Faeser, also protested FIFA’s actions. She did this by wearing a One Love armband next to FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino.
In a statement, the German team said, “We wanted to use our captain’s armband to take a stand for values that we hold in the Germany national team: diversity and mutual respect. Together with other nations, we wanted our voice to be heard.”
“It wasn’t about making a political statement: Human rights are non-negotiable. That should be taken for granted, but it still isn’t the case. That’s why this message is so important to us. Denying us the armband is the same as denying us a voice.”
So far, FIFA hasn’t responded to Germany’s protest. Oh, and if you’re curious, these folks lost to Japan in a two — one upset in their opening game.
Dan Andrews’ Opponent Has Some Contradictory Polling
In a curious case of some conflicting polling, a Victorian independent candidate by the name of Ian Cooke is claiming that he could defeat Daniel Andrews. Yup, Cooke’s team is saying if their exit polling is correct, then Cooke’s in with a chance to beat Victoria’s Premier.
Ian Cook’s Campaign Manager, Emily Coltraine, said that they spoke with 159 voters. She alleged that once the preference had been factored in, Cook had ahead a 57.2% edge, with Andrews behind by 42.8%.
It’s worth noting that numerous established polling sources’ numbers are telling a different story. Most other polling is indicating that Andrews will keep his seat of Mulgrave and the Victorian Labor party will win once again.
Cook is most famous for being at the centre of a buckwild, multi-year food scandal. In 2019, Cook was the director of I Cook Foods, a company that health authorities determined gave an elderly woman listeriosis. Listeriosis is an illness synonymous with food contamination and the woman sadly died.
To begin with, Cook said that he was working with the health authorities. Later on, he claimed that the health authorities planted a slug on the premises. I Cook Foods no longer exists.
Related: Your Hand-Dandy Victorian State Election Guide
Related: Are State Elections Compulsory? All of Your Voting Questions, Answered
The Act of Kindness Before the Flooded Murray River Peaks
In some hopeful news during a dire situation, heaps of folks across Victoria’s Murray River are teaming up to help each other before the floods hit high.
For instance, an earthmover near Mildura, named Luke Moore, is creating levees and stacking sandbags without being compensated for this work. Moreover, he’s not alone in this endeavour, with over 20 other community members helping him.
“I’m always keen to put my hand up because you can’t see people go without,” said Moore.
“It’s coming close to Christmas. It’s sad times, and everyone needs to help.”
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