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Happy Thursday!
We’re officially less than a year away from the next U.S. election, which will be held on 5 November 2024.
What’s the latest? A recent poll by The New York Times and Sienna College found Donald Trump, the most likely Republican candidate, is currently leading President Joe Biden in five of the six most important battleground states.
I've got 10 seconds
The quote
"We can say with near certainty that 2023 will be the warmest year on record.” — Deputy Director of the EU’s Climate Change Service, Samantha Burgess, on the year so far.
The stat
24
The number of U.S. states where cannabis is now legal for recreational use for people 21 and over, following a public vote in Ohio yesterday.
Today in history
1989: The Berlin Wall – which divided socialist East Germany from capitalist West Germany – fell.
I've got 30 seconds
Some headlines from this morning:
Optus confirmed it restored services to its customers yesterday afternoon, following an outage that impacted millions of Australians. Mobile coverage, data, phone and internet services were disrupted for more than six hours across the telco’s network.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has arrived in the Cook Islands for the Pacific Islands Forum. This will be Albanese’s first visit to the region as PM, and his second Pacific Islands Forum. Climate change and security matters are expected to be discussed among leaders from 18 different Pacific countries.
I've got 1 minute
Matildas and Socceroos players could each earn up to $90,000 more under a new collective bargaining agreement.
A collective bargaining agreement details the minimum wages and conditions for national team players.
Players will be able to earn up to $200,000 under the new deal. Earnings will largely be predicated on hitting incentive targets, which will revolve around team performance and growth of the game.
More details
The previous agreement ran from 2019. This was the first deal to ensure top Matildas players received the same pay as their Socceroos counterparts.
The new agreement will run until 2027. It will also expand protections for parents in the national team program.
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Australians are taking record levels of ketamine but MDMA use is declining, according to the latest national wastewater study.
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) has been drug testing sewage since 2016 and publishes regular findings on drug trends.
Its latest report covers wastewater analysed over autumn 2023. Here's what it found.
Alcohol, nicotine
Alcohol consumption increased slightly in autumn compared to summer.
However, the results suggest that Australians consumed 0.5 fewer standard drinks per day than the recorded peak in 2018.
Nicotine usage has been relatively steady. The highest rates of nicotine and alcohol usage were found in Tasmania and the NT, and lowest in SA.
Cocaine, ketamine, MDMA
Australia's cocaine usage increased slightly in autumn and remains at high levels by international standards. Usage is higher in capital cities, and highest in Sydney.
MDMA usage has steadily declined since 2016, a trend that continued in autumn.
The illicit use of ketamine has increased in recent years and is at a record high, with usage concentrated in Victoria.
Other drugs
Cannabis is used significantly more than any other generally illegal drug in Australia. Its usage was broadly stable in autumn and is much higher in regional areas than in capital cities.
Opioid consumption (including heroin and synthetic opioids fentanyl and oxycodone) fluctuated but is generally higher in regions. Two wastewater sites in Victoria recorded very high heroin levels.
Methylamphetamine (known in its crystal form as 'ice') usage increased slightly and was highest in Sydney.
For drug help, you can call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015
Give me some good news
A rare lizard in northeast Queensland has been spotted by scientists for the first time in 42 years.
All three species of the Grassland Striped Skink were spotted 300 kilometres south of Cairns. It has been hailed as an “amazing discovery” that will support further research into the species.
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A TDA tidbit
Hold on to your wines.
2023 is expected to end with global wine production levels at their lowest level since 1961, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine. This year alone will see levels 7% lower than last year.
This is because droughts, and generally unsuitable weather conditions, have led to a large decrease in major wine-producing countries, including Spain and Italy.
Talk about your glass being half empty…
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