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Happy Wednesday!
Today’s riddle: How many crates do you need if you have 304 pairs of shoes and each crate can hold 19 shoes?
P.S. Shoutout to newsletter reader Abeny who sent in a message saying she has never successfully answered one of the riddles despite her “average intellect”. I’ll give you a hint for today’s one: the answer is not 16.
I've got 10 seconds
The quote
"[Italy’s] government is set on taking away the rights of individuals to live as they wish. The freedom to walk down the street with your head held high and without fear, however you identify." – Fashion designer Donatella Versace, in a speech calling out recent anti-LGBTQIA+ policies in Italy, such as making it harder for same-sex couples to adopt.
The stat
$15 million
The penalty ANZ will pay after the Federal Court found it lied to customers about how much they could withdraw with credit cards before incurring fees.
Today in history
2018: Psychology professor Christine Blasey Ford alleged Judge Brett Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her in the 1980s during school. Ford and Kavanaugh testified during a Senate committee and two weeks later, Senate Republicans confirmed Kavanaugh’s appointment as a Supreme Court Justice.
I've got 30 seconds
Some headlines from this morning:
Anthony Albanese has urged the public to take seriously a physical attack on the Northern Territory’s Chief Minister. Natasha Fyles was hit in the face with a cream-covered pancake in Darwin on Sunday. Albanese said it wasn’t “light-hearted” and should carry serious consequences. A woman has been charged with aggravated assault in relation to the incident.
The NSW Government has announced tougher restrictions on some short-term rentals, like Airbnbs, in Byron Bay. It will limit how many days a year a place can be used for short-term rentals – down from 180 days per year to 60 days. This will only affect short-term rentals where the host does not reside on the premise, and it won’t impact some properties in high-tourism areas. It will come into effect in September 2024.
I've got 1 minute
Daniel Andrews has announced he will resign as Victorian Premier, effective from 5pm today.
Andrews has been Premier since 2014, and won three elections as Victoria’s Labor leader.
In a press conference yesterday, Andrews said: “When it’s time, it’s time.”
His successor is yet to be named, though Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan has confirmed she will contest the leadership.
No Silly Questions in the wild!
Today’s dose of jealousy comes from Jamie, who has sent us this photo from Canggu, Bali.
We hope you enjoy the book nearly as much as you enjoy your fabulous holiday, Jamie!
I've got 2 minutes
Only 27% of strip searches in NSW followed correct police processes at five music festivals in 2021 and 2022, according to a report by the NSW police watchdog released yesterday.
The report also found less than half of NSW police officers who carried out strip searches had completed mandatory search training.
Rules in NSW:
There are two types of police searches in NSW: general searches and strip searches.
General searches involve police patting down a person’s outer clothing, and passing a metal detector over them.
A strip search requires a person to remove their clothing so police can look for what they suspect is an illegal item. This should only be carried out in 'serious and urgent' circumstances.
A strip search must be conducted by a police officer of the same sex as the person being searched.
Police aren't allowed to touch a person’s genitals unless deemed necessary for the purpose of the search.
Before conducting any search, an officer must have a reasonable suspicion that a person is carrying an unlawful item, like drugs. NSW Police must conduct searches in a manner that maintains a person's privacy and dignity.
NSW audit:
Only 27% of strip search records indicated police followed correct procedures when conducting a search, according to the report by the NSW Law Enforcement Conduct Commission.
The 'serious and urgent' threshold needed for a strip search was reflected in 30% of records audited.
About one-third of total reports satisfied the record-keeping standards required by NSW Police.
Training:
Police officers are required to complete an online education module before working at a music festival. The training includes teaching around strip search requirements and correct record-keeping.
Less than half (47%) of officers stationed at festivals completed the teaching module in the proper timeframe. 28% of police didn’t complete the training at all.
Response:
NSW Police recognised the issues in the audit and said it has taken steps to ensure officers complete mandatory training before conducting searches.
NSW Police suggested that many of its officers did make legally required considerations on the appropriateness of searching, but had failed to document this.
Auditors disagreed with this suggestion, saying it contradicted mandated police conduct.
Give me some good news
U.S. soccer legend Megan Rapinoe has finished her international career with a win.
Rapinoe helped the U.S. to a 2-0 friendly victory over South Africa in Chicago earlier this week. The 38-year-old has won two consecutive World Cups, and an Olympic gold medal. She announced her retirement earlier this year.
A message from our sponsor
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A TDA tidbit
A wedding celebrant in Victoria is offering a free wedding ceremony to whoever can offer him a ticket to the AFL Grand Final this weekend.
The Mornington Peninsula’s Ken Hatherley published the offer on his business Facebook account this week, where he described himself as a “lifetime Collingwood Supporter”.
Ken, known as ‘The People’s Celebrant’, has been in the marriage business since 2009.
And there’s an even better part to this story. Ken’s wife’s name is Barbie (really!) and they’ve been married since 1983 – so I guess things are going pretty well over at his Mojo Dojo Casa House.
The sold-out match on Saturday will see Collingwood and Brisbane face off for the 2023 title, and while there’s no word yet whether Ken will be in attendance, we’re rooting for him. Because he is Kenough.
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Answer: 32 crates. The equation is: (304 × 2) ÷ 19 = 32.
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