Today we’re expecting some big news out of the ACT. It is set to pass a law to ensure free period products are offered at community facilities across the territory.

The law is targeted at providing relief for people experiencing period poverty. For more on this topic, listen to today’s podcast.

And now for today’s riddle…

What can you hold in your right hand, but never in your left hand?

The quote
“For the last 20 years I have been in prison I have forever and will always think of my children, grieve for my children and have missed them and loved them terribly.” – Kathleen Folbigg in a video message after she was released from prison on Monday. In 2003, Folbigg was convicted of killing her four children, but the NSW Government has this week pardoned and released her due to new scientific evidence that casts doubt over her guilt.

The stat
$US3,499 ($AU5,260)
The cost of Apple’s new ‘Vision Pro’ mixed reality headset. The headset, which will be available for sale early next year in the U.S., will take some elements of artificial reality (like holograms) and place them in your physical environment.

Today in history
1965: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favour of the constitutional right of married people to use birth control.

Some headlines from this morning:

A restaurant chain infamous for its intentionally poor customer service has entered liquidation in Australia. Liquidation is the process of a company selling off its assets to pay its pre-existing debts before closing.

Karen's Diner launched in 2021 and accrued a large social media following after posting interactions between customers and waitstaff online.

The company behind the American diner-style restaurants, Viral Ventures Australia, appointed liquidators at the start of last week.

The restaurants in Melbourne, Perth, and the Gold Coast have been closed.

In a social media post last Tuesday, Karen's Diner said that "all good things come to an end", adding that new temporary stores would be coming to the cities where the now-closed stores used to be.

Next steps:
Karen's Diner has opened stores across the world since launching in Sydney two years ago.

This includes several stores in the UK, and in the U.S., New Zealand, and Indonesia.

The international stores will remain open.

If you want your friends to wake up with us too, forward this email to them.

Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Sign up here (it’s free!)

The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised the cash rate from 3.85% to 4.1%.

It's the 12th rate rise since May of last year and the second in a row. RBA Governor Philip Lowe says inflation has "passed its peak [but] is still too high and it will be some time yet" before it is back down to desirable levels.

The rate is now at its highest level since April 2012.

The context:
The RBA began to increase its cash rate in May of last year. The cash rate is what the RBA charges commercial banks for short-term loans and it flows through to other interest rates across the economy (so this is often referred to as 'increasing interest rates').

They are doing this to combat inflation (rising prices). Prices grew 6.8% from April 2022 to April 2023, well above the RBA's desired inflation rate of 2-3%.

In just over a year, the rate has increased from a low of 0.1% to 4.1%.

Where to next?
Lowe said it is possible interest rates will need to be raised again in future, "but that will depend upon how the economy and inflation evolve".

He said high inflation "hurts family budgets, makes it harder for businesses to plan and invest, and worsens income inequality."

Get all the news you need to know today in your ears on The Daily Aus podcast!

A butterfly species believed to have been extinct in the UK for almost 100 years has reappeared on the edges of London.

The black-veined white butterfly has been spotted after being declared extinct in 1925. UK charity Butterfly Conservation said the sightings come from an unofficial release, and warned it may not result in an immediate regrowth of the population.

Have you ever noticed a mate is struggling, but you're not sure what to say or how to help? You're not alone - navigating those conversations can be tricky. That's why R U OK? have launched their #FriendBetter hub, designed to help you support your mates through tough times.

The online hub is packed with tips and resources to help you support your mates when they need it most. Whether it's academic stress, cost of living, loneliness, procrastination, self-esteem - and all the stuff in between - you'll find useful advice on how to be there for your mates.

Click here to check out the #FriendBetter hub.

In Finland, a man has been fined nearly $AU200,000 for a speeding fine.

How? Because speeding fines in Finland are based on your income! I had no idea.

The man, Anders Wiklöf, was caught speeding about 30km/h over the speed limit over the weekend.

According to Euro News, speeding fines are generally calculated by looking at your daily salary and then dividing it by two. This is then considered in the context of how much over the speed limit you are - the more someone is over the speed limit, the greater the number of day fines they will get.

“I really regret the matter and hope that the money is in any case used for healthcare through the treasury,” he told local newspaper Nya Aaland.

And yes in case you have the same question as me - he reportedly owns a holding company that includes a range of businesses.

*
*
*
*
Answer: Your left hand.