The Loop: Protesters interrupt Chinese ambassador, airports hit by school holiday rush, and more Aussies drafted to the NBA

Howdy. It's Friday, June 24 and you're reading The Loop, a quick wrap-up of today's news. 

Let's start here: More Aussies have joined the NBA

Two young Australian basketballers were drafted into the NBA today, where they'll play against the world's best (and wealthiest) ballers.

Dyson Daniels was drafted at number eight by the New Orleans Pelicans, leading to jubilant scenes in his hometown of Bendigo.

Here's what you need to know about him:

• The 19-year-old stands at 6'6" and has a 6'11" wingspan
• His starting salary as a rookie is expected to be at least $6.5 million a year
• He spent most of the past year in the US playing for NBA development team G League Ignite

Here's how his friends and fans in Bendigo reacted when he was picked:

Luke Travers, a 20-year-old who has played for his home team the Perth Wildcats in the NBL, was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers at pick 56 in the draft.

Today we heard about school holiday crowds at airports

Travellers are being told to expect long queues at airports this weekend, for a couple of reasons:

• School holidays are kicking off in Queensland, Victoria and the Northern Territory
• Airports are expected to be the busiest they've been since the start of the COVID pandemic
• The aviation industry is still scrambling to get on top of a critical worker shortage

If you're concerned about getting to and from the airport or want tips on how to minimise airport stress, keep reading this story here.

News you might have missed

• Scientists have found a bacterium that is thousands of times larger than most bacteria. Meet Thiomargarita magnifica, the largest bacterium that scientists have found so far — at about one to two centimetres long, and visible with the naked eye

The hair-like bacteria is larger than a fruit fly. (Supplied: Tomas Tyml)

• Multiple protesters interrupted China's ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, while he gave a speech about bilateral relations in Sydney today. The protesters interjected with concerns about Tibet, Xinjiang and Hong Kong, but were taken away by security and the speech continued

Protesters interrupt Chinese ambassador to Australia's address on the relationship between two countries.

Here's what Australia has been searching for online

• Martin Foley. Victoria's Health Minister is among four senior state government ministers who have just stepped down from their portfolios and will resign at the next election in November. The other three are Deputy Premier and Education Minister James Merlino, Police Minister Lisa Neville and Sports Minister Martin Pakula

Daniel Andrews is set to lose more than four decades of experience from his cabinet with the expected resignation of (L - R) Martin Foley, James Merlino, Martin Pakula and Lisa Neville. (ABC/AAP)

• Women's State of Origin. Both New South Wales and Queensland have won two games each under the women's State of Origin banner. In the final year of one-off women's Origin matches, there's even more on the line than usual when the rivals meet in a chilly Canberra tonight

One more thing: Are the Spice Girls considering an Australian tour?

Emma Bunton — known to fans as Baby Spice — has suggested that the Spice Girls are likely to head down under as part of another reunion tour at some point.

"Let's just say yes, why not?" she told Sunrise.

"We have been speaking about it, of course we have, but with the pandemic and everything that happened, it's been tougher to organise."

Bunton said she "absolutely loves coming to Australia" and "really hopes" the Spice Girls head down under soon.

You're up to date!

We'll be back with new editions of The Loop from Monday.

ABC/wires