☕️ A 2-minute guide to the UK election

Great to pop in here and say hi. I’m going through a bit of an AI moment, and trying to get my head around how to actually use all the incredible tools out there. My first stop? How to create images from text.

A lot of experts say the AI will only be as good as the prompt (the command) you give it. So let me show you where I am right now. I’ve put in “Sam Koslowski, today’s editor of The Daily Aus newsletter, writing a note to readers early in the morning as he sips his coffee. Natural light is streaming into his apartment.”

First point of order - real me has two arms, not three. I need to work on my prompts. We’re at the beginning of the AI era, people - give it some time.

”It is my honour to welcome you, your excellency Premier Li Keqiang.”
PM Anthony Albanese mistakenly called Chinese Premier Li Qiang by his predecessor Li Keqiang’s name at an official event yesterday.

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How many posties faced “dog-related incidents” each week over the last six months, according to new data from Australia Post.

1983
Sally Ride became the first American woman to fly to space. She travelled on the Space Shuttle Challenger with NASA.

CW: Sexual assault

Former Liberal staffer Bruce Lehrmann has appeared at a committal hearing in a Queensland court to face charges of rape.

Lehrmann is accused of two counts of sexual assault dating back to October 2021 in Toowoomba, west of Brisbane.

Under Queensland law, media outlets were initially prevented from naming him as the suspect, but the state’s top court allowed his name to be published last year.

A magistrate is now set to decide if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. Here’s what you need to know.

In February 2021, Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins accused her colleague, Bruce Lehrmann, of raping her inside Parliament House. Lehrmann has always maintained his innocence.

The criminal trial in the ACT was dismissed due to juror misconduct, and prosecutors did not pursue a re-trial, citing concerns for Higgins’ mental health.

Lehrmann later sued several media outlets for defamation, arguing he was identifiable in reporting of Higgins’ allegation.

In April, Federal Court Justice Michael Lee rejected Lehrmann’s defamation claim, finding it was “more likely than not“ that Lehrmann raped Higgins at Parliament under the civil system’s balance of probabilities.

As this was a civil trial, the verdict did not mean Lehrmann was criminally convicted of rape in that case.

In early June, Lehrmann filed an appeal against Justice Lee’s ruling.

The Toowoomba charges were first heard in court in January 2023.

Initially, Queensland laws had prevented the media from naming Lehrmann as the accused person.

However, eight months after charges were laid, Queensland passed laws allowing “the public naming of people charged with rape and other... sexual offences”.

As soon as the new laws came into effect, Lehrmann’s lawyers asked the court to keep him anonymous on the grounds of mental ill-health due to intense public scrutiny.

Queensland Police and eight media companies, including News Corp and the ABC, fought the attempt to keep his name secret.

In October, the case reached Queensland’s Supreme Court – the highest court in the state – where the judge dismissed Lehrmann’s appeal, meaning he could be named.

Yesterday, Lehrmann appeared at a committal hearing at Toowoomba Magistrate’s Court. Media was not allowed in the courtroom due to the nature of evidence being presented by the complainant.

At a committal hearing, a magistrate considers whether there is enough evidence in a case to support a trial.

Lehrmann hasn’t entered his plea to the rape charges yet, but his lawyers have indicated to media he will plead not guilty.

This week, the major political parties in the UK have published their manifestos — a series of documents laying out their vision for government.

The UK election will be held on 4 July.

While the Conservative Party is hoping to hold on to power, polls show the Labour Party is likely to win.

Before a UK general election, the major political parties outline their policy and spending commitments in a series of documents called a manifesto. This could include tax changes, investments in schools and hospitals, or increasing numbers of police officers.

Manifestos present a party’s vision for how it would run the UK.

When a successful party forms Government, it’s expected to legislate its manifesto promises.

Conservatives — the governing party, aka the Tories. The current Prime Minister is Rishi Sunak. The Tories have been in power since 2010, led by David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, and Liz Truss.

Labour — the main opposition party, headed by Keir Starmer.

Liberal Democrats — a centre-left party, led by Ed Davey.

Reform UK — a right-wing populist party, led by Nigel Farage.

Sunak launched the Tories’ manifesto at the Silverstone race track, which hosts the British Grand Prix.

He promised to cut taxes, boost defence spending to 2.5% of GDP (Gross Domestic Product) by 2030, cap migration levels, and introduce mandatory national service for 18-year-olds finishing school.

Sunak said the Tories must “stick with the plan” to improve the UK economy, which has been shaken by COVID-19, Russia’s war in Ukraine, and a ‘mini-budget’ delivered under Truss which has been widely described as “disastrous”.

Starmer revealed the Labour Party’s manifesto in the north-west city of Manchester.

He pledged to cut hospital waiting times, create a new border security agency, hire 6,500 more teachers, and set up a nationally-owned UK energy company.

Under the banner “Change”, Starmer promised to bring national, border, and economic security “at the service of working people”.

The Liberal Democrats, the fourth-biggest party in the UK Parliament ahead of this election, released its manifesto in London.

The party wants to provide free personal home care for people who need help to perform daily tasks. It also committed to see 100% of cancer patients in care within two months of a referral.

Leader Ed Davey, who has a son with physical disability, has centred his campaign on the need for the UK to improve its care system.

Polls have shown Labour leading over the Tories since December 2021.

Reform UK, a right-wing political challenger, will release its manifesto next week. This week, for the first time, Reform overtook the Tories in opinion polls.

YouGov’s latest poll showed Labour on 37%, Reform at 19%, Tories at 18%, and the Liberal Democrats at 14%. It pointed out, however, that Reform’s 1% lead falls within the margin of error.

Sunak and Starmer have participated in two live television debates so far. The final debate will take place on Wednesday night (local time) on the BBC.

Some of the parties‘ senior ministers and minor party leaders have also faced off in live debates.

The general election will be held on 4 July.

Are you wearing sunscreen right now?

If you said no, there are many reasons you should make it a priority in your daily routine. Not only is suncare the most important step in protecting yourself against skin cancer but it can also prevent hyperpigmentation.

According to dermatologist, Dr. Michelle Rodrigues there are more than 45 causes of pigmentation on the face alone. By applying a broad-spectrum face sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher you’re protecting your skin against both UVA and UVB rays. Combine this with a targeted serum like Mela B3 Niacinamide Serum, and you can both treat and help prevent sun damage and pigmentation.

Add it to your skincare routine by applying the serum right after you cleanse your face, and applying sunscreen right after you moisturise (before makeup).

Prioritise protecting your skin by wearing SPF every day.

The 32-year-old from NSW has made the team for this year’s Paris Games, one of nine divers set to represent the country in July and August. Wu made her Olympic debut aged 16 at the Beijing Olympics, where she won silver alongside Briony Cole in the 10 metre synchronised dive.

Want more sport news? Sign up to TDA’s free sport newsletter here!

Gordon Ramsay’s ribs – not the cooking kind, his actual ribcage – are in bad shape.

Last week, the celebrity chef injured himself in what he described as a “really bad” bicycle accident.

In a video posted to Instagram, Ramsay said he’s “lucky to be standing here” and that he’s “in pain and it’s been a brutal week”, showing off a massive, dark purple bruise under his chef’s whites.

His message? Wear a helmet when bike riding, no matter how short the ride may be.

New research has found that labia surgery has become one of the fastest growing cosmetic procedures amongst young people in Australia and worldwide. That’s according to a new report by Women’s Health Victoria, which also found that nearly a quarter of Australian women aged 18 to 24 feel anxious or ashamed about their labia.

And this is all largely due to unrealistic expectations informed by porn and social media. So what is behind this rise in labia surgery? And why is it more common in younger generations? We explore this in today’s deep dive.