PSA: You have exactly one week left to file your 2022/23 tax return.

The quickest way to lodge your tax return is online. This is through myTax, an ATO system accessed through your myGov account.

Happy taxing!

The quote
"It was kind of euphoric because I was getting an endorphin rush, [but then] I started getting cramps.” – Ed Currie, who grew "Pepper X", the world’s hottest chilli, speaking to the BBC about his experience eating his creation.

The stat
9
The number of Republicans in the running to be the new U.S. House Speaker, after multiple votes to elect Ohio representative Jim Jordan failed. If the party can’t form a majority to elect a Speaker and pass key funding bills, the U.S. Government could shut down.

Today in history
1945: United Nations was established at the end of World War II to maintain world peace.

Some headlines from this morning:

Australian private health insurer Medibank has announced it is trialling a four-day work week.

Over the next six months, 250 employees will participate in the trial, based on a 100:80:100 model — meaning employees receive 100% pay to work 80% of their regular hours, while maintaining 100% productivity.

Medibank says the model will give employees more time for their health and wellbeing.

The trial:
Medibank has designed the trial with international productivity organisation 4 Day Week Global.

Macquarie University's Health and Wellbeing Research Unit will monitor the trial to observe the impact on employees' rest, productivity, performance, and overall wellbeing.

Other trial:
This isn't the first time a four-day work week has been introduced in Australian workplaces.

In November last year, Unilever (which owns brands like Dove, Lynx, and Vaseline) introduced an 18-month trial in its Australian offices, after a successful four-day-week trial in New Zealand.

Unilever NZ reported employee stress and "absenteeism" (repeated and intentional failure to attend work) reduced by more than 30%.

Exclusive:
Thousands of current and former Australian students will have some of their student debt waived by the Federal Government due to a historical error.

Over 13,000 people from 104 educational institutions, including universities and TAFE, will have a combined $5.4 million wiped from their student debt.

It could save some students thousands of dollars.

Further details:
Students impacted by the error won't need to pay the amount incurred through indexation this year, and in any of the previous four years.

Indexation is when the amount owed by students is increased each year to reflect rising prices (inflation).

Student debts rose by 7.1% this year — the largest increase in decades. For example, a $30,000 student debt would've risen by $2,130 (7.1%) this year.

What was the error?
Student debt records are held by the Australian Tax Office (ATO).

Students can track their debts on the ATO's website, meaning they can see their debts in real-time and before they rise with indexation.

This year, the Government learned some students had been unable to view their debt records with the ATO.

Students unable to see their debts were believed to be financially disadvantaged because they weren't made aware that their debts were set to rise.

This error was because there was missing information on records given to the ATO by education providers. This includes missing tax details, which are provided by students to their education provider.

The ATO only accepts debt records with complete student information.

Does this apply to me?
Education providers will alert students if they're involved in the matter.

A letter sent by the University of Technology Sydney said affected students will be contacted again once their records appear on the ATO's website.

The Federal Department of Education said education providers generally provide complete student information and are working "proactively" to resolve present issues. These efforts are ongoing.

On today’s podcast: More young Australians are experiencing food insecurity than ever before.

TDA’s Deputy Editor Emma Gillespie interviews Brianna Casey, CEO of Foodbank Australia, to understand why this is and what can be done. You can listen here or wherever you get your podcasts!

Australia has won the International Wheelchair Rugby Cup after defeating Canada at the finals in Paris.

After losing to Canada in the opening game, Australia finished on top. Ryley Batt was one of the standout players for the Aussies in the 53-48 win.

Picture this: a home-cooked dinner at a local cave home in Cappadocia, Turkey. Or, zipping around Vietnam, taking in the sights from the back of a motorbike with a local. How about learning to make loukoumi from a family in Greece?

As the end of the year approaches, there’s no better time to plan your next trip. If you're thinking of an adventure, but don't have a crew ready to jump in with, it could be time to think about a guided small group tour.

With more than 1,000 trips worldwide, Intrepid is all about immersive experiences with small groups that take you beyond where any Google search can take you. They plan your travel with local leaders who have deep connections to the destinations and people around you. Intrepid also ensures you’re travelling safely, securely, and with like-minded travellers (who might just become lifelong friends).

Book your next trip with Intrepid today!

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has split with her partner of almost 10 years after he was caught on a hot mic suggesting a “threesome, even a foursome” with another woman.

Meloni’s partner, Andrea Giambruno, is a presenter at Mediaset, an Italian commercial broadcaster.

This is not the first time he’s made controversial comments in public.

In August, Meloni defended her then partner for saying that women should “avoid getting drunk” to avoid rape. Giambruno has also publicly rejected climate change.

This time, in a video obtained by news/comedy TV show Striscia la Notizia, Giambruno asked a female colleague if it would be okay if he touched “my package” while they were talking. He then indicated he was having an affair with another woman, which he said others at the network were aware of.

“Now you do, too. But we are looking for a third participant. We are doing the threesome,” he said.

Meloni announced the split on her Instagram saying, “My relationship with Andrea Giambruno, which lasted almost ten years, ends here… Our paths have long diverged, and it’s time to realise it.”

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!)