☕️ Matildas through to the Olympics

Good morning!

And a big happy birthday to the Leap Day babies!

I’ve got 10 seconds

Quote of the day

“Cereal for dinner is something that is probably more on trend now, and we would expect [it] to continue as that consumer is under pressure.”
The CEO of Kellogg’s has urged families struggling with the rising cost of living to consider eating cereal for dinner. When asked in an interview with CNBC if his suggestion might upset some people, he said the idea was “landing really well right now”.

Stat of the day

758,631
The number of babies born in Japan in 2023, according to the country’s Ministry of Health. The number is the eighth consecutive year of record-low births in Japan. There were 5.1% fewer births in 2023 compared to 2022.

Today in history

1964
Australian swimmer Dawn Fraser broke her own 100m freestyle world record in Sydney, with a time of 58.9 seconds. The current world record is now 51.71 seconds, which Sweden’s Sarah Sjoestroem has held since 2017.

I’ve got 30 seconds

Some headlines from this morning:

• The Matildas are through to the Olympics after beating Uzbekistan 10-0 in Melbourne. The team went into the sold-out qualifier with a three-goal lead, following a win over an at-home Uzbekistan on Saturday night. The Aussies will join 11 other countries in the Olympic women’s football tournament in Paris this July-August. Now that they’re through to Paris, the Matildas will have a chance to become the first Aussie squad to win an Olympic medal.

• Climate Council researchers have warned Australia's above-35-degree days will double in frequency by the end of this century if measures to reduce emissions are not significantly boosted. The Climate Council has released a new heat map showing how temperatures are shifting over time around the country. It projected the number of hot days could be reduced by around 20% with climate pollution intervention.

I’ve got 1 minute

Inflation rose by 3.4% in the year to January — it’s the smallest rise in over two years

Prices rose by 3.4% in the 12 months to January 2024, new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics show.

It matches inflation figures for December 2023, when the ABS announced the smallest annual price increase since November 2021.

Inflation numbers

Rising prices were largely driven by the increased cost of housing (up 4.6%) and alcohol and tobacco (up 6.7%) in the 12 months to January.

The ABS also said: “Rent prices rose 7.4 per cent in the 12 months to January, reflecting a tight rental market and low vacancy rates across the country.”

Changing prices

Products and services prone to price fluctuations, like petrol, holiday travel, and fresh produce are a key influence on the inflation rate.

To account for this, the ABS releases a separate inflation figure that excludes these goods.

This figure showed a 4.1% price rise in the 12 months to January, down from 4.2% in December.

Why does it matter?

Inflation is a key consideration for the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) when it determines changes to the cash rate — the interest rate it charges commercial banks for short-term loans.

Over the last two years, the RBA has announced several consecutive interest rate rises to fight rising prices (inflation). However, it hasn’t raised the cash rate since November.

The current cash rate is 4.35%. It was 0.10% at the start of 2022. The board will meet next in three weeks.

I’ve got 2 minutes

CW: Distressing content

NT police will investigate claims of a racist culture in the force

NT police will launch an investigation into claims of racism within the force, made by former constable Zachary Rolfe.

Rolfe fatally shot 19-year-old Kumanjayi Walker in 2019, but was later found not guilty of the Warlpiri-Luritja man’s murder.

During an inquest into Walker’s death, Rolfe accused his former employer, the NT police force, of a racist culture.

It’s hoped the inquest will lead to findings on how similar deaths could be avoided.

Background

In November 2019, Kumanjayi Walker left an alcohol rehabilitation facility in Alice Springs to attend a family funeral. Police were instructed to arrest him.

On 9 November, he was found by two officers, Zachary Rolfe and Adam Eberl. In a scuffle, Walker stabbed Rolfe in the shoulder with a pair of surgical scissors. While Eberl was trying to restrain Walker, Rolfe shot him several times.

Walker was taken to Yuendumu police station. His family were prevented from entering the station to see the 19-year-old. He died on the floor of his cell.

Inquest

Rolfe was found not guilty in 2022. A coronial inquest was launched that year to determine the circumstances of Walker’s death, including why his family was not allowed to visit him in his cell.

The inquest examined Rolfe’s conduct as an officer but has also been investigating broader concerns about NT police.

During more than a year of hearings, the inquest has heard from witnesses including Walker’s family, police and experts.

Rolfe’s testimony

Rolfe appeared at the inquest into Walker’s death this week.

He was first called to give evidence 14 months ago but made legal appeals to avoid having to appear.

As part of an agreement to address the inquest this time, Rolfe was granted “self-incrimination” protection, meaning he can’t face legal consequences for certain admissions.

During his testimony, Rolfe claimed racist language was “normalised in the NT Police Force” and was used “nearly daily”.

Allegations

Rolfe provided detailed examples of alleged racism by members of the police force.

This included the use of racial slurs by some high-ranking officers.

He also claimed members of the force referred to a section of an Alice Springs bar reserved for First Nations patrons as the “Animal Bar”.

“Systemic racism”

The inquest has previously heard evidence of "systemic racism" levelled towards First Nations people by NT Police.

Former NT Australian of the Year and Arrernte woman Leanne Liddle, who has 30 years of experience in the justice system, told the inquest that racism was deeply-rooted in the NT force.

Liddle said she had "lost count" of examples of racism.

Investigation

Head of NT Police Michael Murphy announced allegations of widespread racism in the force would be investigated, possibly by an independent agency.

He nominated the NT’s anti-corruption body as a possible option to oversee the investigation.

NT Police Minister Brent Potter said “racism or discrimination in any form is completely unacceptable and won’t be tolerated”.

Rolfe is expected to be the inquest’s final witness.

13 YARN: 13 92 76

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The Butterfly Foundation has today released a new report on the prevalence of eating disorders in Australia.

It has found that eating disorders are on the rise in Australia, particularly amongst young people.

On today's podcast, we break down what these new findings mean, and what the reason behind the rise is.

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Give me some good news

Scientists in the U.S. have made a breakthrough in the treatment of ovarian cancer.

A team from the University of Minnesota worked with researchers in Germany and Sweden to develop a way to screen patients with a specific type of ovarian cancer that is resistant to chemotherapy.

The research hopes to better predict individual treatment needs to avoid cancers progressing in patients who are resistant to chemo.

Associate professor at the University of Minnesota Emil Lou said "This research marks a significant step forward in the fight against ovarian cancer… To help tailor more effective treatments.”

TDA tidbit

One of the world’s smallest fish is… actually extremely loud.

New research has found that the Danionella cerebrum, a fish that’s around 1.2cm long, can make sounds louder than 140 decibels. For comparison, a conversation is around 60 decibels, a hair dryer is around 90, a police siren is 120, and this teeny tiny fish is as loud as a firework.

According to the study, this fish has “a drumming cartilage, specialised rib, and fatigue-resistant muscle.” Put simply, it creates a chain of loud pulses to communicate with other fish of its kind.

The next time you hear a siren go past, think about this little guy. He’s even louder!

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