If you were forwarded this email (hi! welcome!), you can sign up to the newsletter here.
Happy Thursday!
Today is World Teacher Day.
In Australia, there are more than 300,000 full time teaching staff.
Don’t forget to thank one today!
I've got 10 seconds
The quote
"In politics, there are only two times people give a strong applause and are happy to see you. The day you arrive - and of course the day you leave." – Greg Fergus, the first Black person elected as Speaker of Canada’s lower house, in his first speech. Fergus replaced Anthony Rota, who resigned after honouring a World War II veteran from his electorate who was later revealed to have fought for the Nazis.
The stat
600,000+
The number of people who have already voted in the upcoming referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, according to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Today in history
2017: The New York Times published its investigation into sexual harassment allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein dating back to 1990.
I've got 30 seconds
Some headlines from this morning:
The Federal Government has announced a new crackdown on Australia’s visa system. It comes after an independent report found flaws in the migration system have allowed for criminal exploitation of international students and other migrants. The Government will now create a permanent visa exploitation operation, and increase fines for unlawful immigration assistance.
Tasmania’s former Attorney-General, Elise Archer, has announced she will leave Parliament, ending speculation the state could be headed for an early election. Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff called for Archer’s resignation on Friday after learning of bullying allegations and text messages sent by Archer, which he described as “unacceptable". Archer could have stayed in Parliament as a Liberal backbencher or as an Independent. Rockliff had said an early election would be called if Archer wouldn’t guarantee support for the Government in Parliament.
I've got 1 minute
Swimming's global governing body says no entries have been received for its open category events, ahead of this week's World Cup in Berlin.
In August, World Aquatics announced open categories for gender-diverse swimmers after banning transgender athletes in elite women's competitions.
A previous World Aquatics statement described the categories as "pioneering," and that they highlighted an "unwavering commitment to inclusivity".
Background:
Last year, World Aquatics ruled that only transgender swimmers who transitioned before 12 years old, or before a particular phase of puberty, could compete in women's events.
It said this was to mitigate "the extent of the male/female performance gap... [that] emerges from the onset of puberty".
It then announced open categories for gender-diverse swimmers, to debut in events across all strokes at the 2023 World Cup, which will run from 6-8 October.
Details:
In the lead-up to this year’s World Cup in Berlin, Germany's central swimming organisation said it was "proud to host an event where swimmers can compete without barriers".
However, according to World Aquatics, the open categories received no entries when registration closed.
In a statement, World Aquatics said "distances in various events had been made available for the Open Category," conceding "there is no current demand at the elite level".
World Aquatics said it will continue "work and engagement with the aquatics community on Open Category events" and it is "planning to look at the possibility of including Open Category races at Masters events [for competitors aged over 25] in the future."
No Silly Questions in the wild!
Today’s photo comes from TDA reader Daisy, who gave us this glowing review on her Instagram!
“This book is brilliant for teens and people in their twenties navigating politics, the media and the world. It could even be a Commerce textbook, not even joking.”
I've got 2 minutes
Crisis talks are underway in France, where a bedbug infestation is spreading.
Paris residents have reported bedbugs on trains, in movie theatres, and at airports, while outbreaks in Lyon and Marseilles have forced school closures.
It comes as the country hosts the Rugby World Cup and prepares for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
'Punaises de lit', the French word for bedbugs, is trending on social media.
Background:
Bedbugs are tiny parasites, around 5mm long, that live in places like mattresses and couches. They feed on human blood, mainly at night, after which point they become larger in size and darker in colour.
Newborn bedbugs are barely visible to humans. According to France’s Health Department, by the time an infestation is detected, the outbreak may already be "quite significant".
A recent study found more than one in 10 French households had a bedbug problem, with infestations on the rise.
The infestation:
Deputy Mayor of Paris Emmanuel Gregoire told French TV the bedbug infestation is "widespread". He wants a Government task force to be established to manage the outbreak.
"You have to understand that in reality no one is safe, obviously there are risk factors but in reality, you can catch bedbugs anywhere and bring them home," he said.
Gregoire urged the Government to put an "action plan" in place ahead of the Paris Olympics in June.
Management:
This week, the French Government said it would hold a meeting with multiple Cabinet Ministers to discuss the best ways to take action. It came after an opposition MP brought a small plastic vial of bedbugs to a sitting to raise awareness of the issue.
Transport Minister Clément Beaune is meeting with public transport and airport operators to discuss measures to tackle the outbreak this week.
However, Health Minister Aurelien Rousseau told a local radio station there was "no reason" for panic. "We haven’t been invaded by bedbugs," he said.
Elsewhere:
There is now growing concern about the outbreak crossing international borders.
Local media in Morocco reported bedbugs were found on board a ship from Marseille.
A passenger on board a Eurostar train from London to Paris posted images of what look like bedbugs to social media last week.
Give me some good news
It’s officially Fat Bear Week in the U.S. — when Americans celebrate Alaskan brown bears’ efforts to chunk up on salmon before the Winter hibernation.
Katmai National Park is home to hundreds of bears, and since 2014, park rangers have dedicated an online poll to 12 of the biggest and best. The public now get to have their say on their favourite.
Last year, Bear 747, otherwise known as Bear Force One, claimed top spot as 2022’s fattest bear. Bear Force One is pictured above in all his glory.
A message from our sponsor
What’s the only thing that can stop Wall Street Bankers breaking the rules and making a tonne of money? Reddit users in their parents' basement.
That’s what you need to know when you watch the brand new comedy, "Dumb Money," inspired by the 2021 GameStop short squeeze. It’s a classic David and Goliath story - a group of amateur online investors drove up the share price of GameStop when Wall St bet it was going to crumble, turning it into the world’s hottest company and getting rich in the process.
Brought to you by the director of "I, TONYA" and "CRUELLA," and featuring a stacked cast including Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, Shailene Woodley, America Ferrera and Seth Rogen, the true story of "Dumb Money" is set to be one of the funniest films of the year. Catch it in cinemas from October 26!
A TDA tidbit
It hasn’t even been a year, but a movie is already being made about the submersible that went missing earlier this year whilst headed for the wreck of the Titanic. Five people were killed in the disaster.
Hollywood outlet Deadline has announced the movie is currently being worked on. It will explore the media’s role in sensationalising the story, as well as what happened inside the vessel.
Jonathan Keasey, one of the co-writers on the project, said: “Our film will not only honour all those involved in the submersible tragedy, and their families, but the feature will serve as a vessel that also addresses a more macro concern about the nature of media today.”
“Truth is all that matters. And the world has a right to know the truth, always, not the salacious bait crammed down our throats by those seeking their five minutes of fame.”
Enjoyed the newsletter?
If you want your friends to wake up with us too, refer them!
We’ll even sweeten the deal for you…
You currently have {{rp_num_referrals}} referrals.
1 referral gets you a digital copy of the first chapter of our new book, No Silly Questions.
At 3 referrals, you get a free scoop of delicious Messina Gelato 🤤
You’re only {{rp_num_referrals_until_next_milestone}} away from your next reward!
Or send them your unique link: {{rp_refer_url}}
Enjoyed the newsletter?
If you want your friends to wake up with us too, forward this email to them or send them your unique link: {{rp_refer_url}}
Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up here (it’s free!)
The Daily Aus acknowledges the Gadigal peoples of the Eora Nation who are the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we work. We acknowledge and pay respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians and Elders of this nation and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.