The Loop: Ukraine massacre witnesses traumatised, the Grammys' Aussie contenders and the 'bin chicken' an Olympic mascot?

Good morning, it's Monday, April 4. Here's what you need to get going today. 

One thing to know right now:  Ukraine and EU accuse Russia of fresh war crimes

Let's break this down:

• Ukraine has found 410 bodies in towns near Kyiv as part of an investigation into possible war crimes by Russia — but the country's top prosecutor says some witnesses are so traumatised by their ordeal that they are unable to speak

The city of Bucha, near Kyiv, has witnessed "atrocities", according to the EU. (Reuters: Zohra Bensemra)

• The mayor in Bucha, a liberated town 37km north-west of the capital, said that 300 residents had been killed by Russian forces 
• Multiple organisations — including the European Union and Human Rights Watch (HRW) — have accused Russia of committing war crimes in the town (Russia has denied its forces killed civilians in Bucha)
• In a video released overnight, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said any incoming sanctions were not enough. In a fresh video address, he said:

• US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has described the scenes in the Ukrainian town of Bucha as a "punch to the gut", adding:

• Ukraine said its forces had retaken all areas around Kyiv while Russian missiles hit critical fuel storage facilities near Odesa

One thing you’ll be hearing about today: The Grammys are on

OK, a big change of pace here, but let's take a look at some lighter news:

• After being postponed (thanks to COVID), the major music award show was bumped from January and moved to Las Vegas — the red carpet starts from 8am this morning, with the ceremony at 10am AEST
• And there are *plenty* of Aussie nominees (check out the full list here), including AC/DC, The Kid LAROI and Rüfüs Du Sol

The Kid LAROI is nominated as Best New Artist but is also on the credits for Justin Bieber's album which is nominated for Album of the Year. (supplied)

• And here's some bittersweet pre-Grammy news: leading contender Jon Batiste (with an incredible 11 nominations) revealed he was secretly married to long-term partner Suleika Jaouad in February. They tied the knot a day before she was admitted for a bone marrow transplant after being diagnosed with leukaemia for a second time. Here they are on US network CBS:

News while you snoozed

Let's get you up to speed.

• At least six people have been shot dead in California's capital, Sacramento. Another 10 were injured and authorities are still searching for a suspect. Police say they were patrolling the area two blocks from the Capitol at about 2am local time on Sunday when they heard gunfire and rushed to the scene.

Authorities are unsure whether one or more suspects were involved in the shooting, which has killed at least six people. (AP: Rich Pedroncelli)

• Anger is rising in China's biggest city Shanghai after videos emerged showing babies and toddlers being separated from their parents in COVID wards. As the ABC's East Asia correspondent Bill Birtles reports, what emerged over the weekend showed a ward overrun with young children, with barely an adult in sight. Shanghai recorded 8,000 daily cases, the worst outbreak in China since the pandemic started.
• And Australia won big in the cricket, taking out the women's ODI World Cup for the seventh time, beating England by 71 runs in the final on the back of Alyssa Healy's record-breaking 170 — the highest score in a women's or men's World Cup final

The news Australia is searching for

• Imran Khan: Pakistan's Prime Minister has avoided being ousted by urging parliament to be dissolved and calling for an early election. He was set to lose a no-confidence vote, with members of his own party saying they would vote against him

Pakistan is heading to an early election after Imran Khan called for parliament to be dissolved. (Reuters: Saiyna Bashi)

• Victoria floods: And in parts of the state's east, their SES says the flood threat still remains high despite easing conditions. Major flood warnings are in place for the Cann, Buchan, and Snowy rivers, while moderate warnings are current for the Mitchell, Genoa, Tambo and Nicholson rivers.

One more thing: Could the 'bin chicken' become an Olympic mascot?

Yes, the Brisbane Olympics is about 10 years away but there's already debate on the mascot. 

Aside from the expected koala, there's another possibility (offered up by Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe) — the ibis.

The ibis has some support to become the mascot. (Will Burgess : Reuters)

The ibis is also sometimes, perhaps unkindly, called a "bin chicken", because of its scavenging.

"As the Member for Sandgate, I've got a quiet soft touch for the idea that the ibis might play a role," Mr Hinchliffe said with a smile.

"And I know there's plenty of Queenslanders who think that might be appropriate as well."

Well there's plenty of time to decide...

That's it for now

We'll be back later on with more.

ABC/wires