☕️ What is happening in South Korea?

Spotify Wrapped is finally here - delivering you a full rundown of what you've listened to this year from music to podcasts.

I'm glad to report that I've continued my three-year streak of having Olivia Rodrigo and the cast of Hamilton as my top two artists (true story, tragically).

Also glad to report that it’s a proven fact that no one cares about other people’s Spotify Wrapped. But hey! Keep sharing!

“Stories are the building blocks we use to teach children about the world. They’re how we learn to identify the bad guy, or find the hero. Without representation in them, what are we supposed to do? That leaves holes in you, not having any representation… these holes can be entirely preventable if people with power are brave enough.”
Disability rights advocate and actor Hannah Diviney in a speech to the National Press club yesterday.

Six years
The length of the prison term handed to Perth woman Donna Nelson, after she was found guilty of smuggling methamphetamine into Japan. Nelson, who says she was the victim of a ‘love scam’, plans to appeal.

1955
The thirteen-month long bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, began, days after Rosa Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat to a white man.

❤️ Sustainable period care: From now until Dec 8, Inoya will donate a product to Share The Dignity for every Period Cup purchased.

🎉 Happy Friday eve! Spice things up with FELLR’s Alcoholic Ginger Beer – made with real QLD ginger juice, it’s low-cal & low-sugar.

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Australia has changed its official stance to support a UN resolution calling on “Israel [to] bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible”.

Australia previously abstained from voting on a draft version of the resolution earlier this year.

Australia’s ambassador to the UN James Larsen said the vote “reflects our determination that the international community again work together to build momentum towards... a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East”.

On Tuesday evening (local time), members of the UN met at its headquarters in New York to debate a resolution on the “peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine”.

The resolution “demands that Israel comply strictly with its obligations under international law” and “bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OPT)”.

The resolution also “reaffirms the vision of the two-state solution”.

This would involve the OPT becoming the “independent and sovereign State” of Palestine, “living side by side, in peace and security with Israel, within secure and recognised borders”.

157 nations voted in favour of the resolution, and eight (including the U.S. and Israel) voted against it.

Larsen said: “Australia’s vote today... returns Australia to the position it took until 2001.”

A spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong told media: “Australia approaches UN resolutions to try to achieve the best outcomes we can... If, on balance, we believe the resolution will contribute to peace and a two-state solution, we will vote for it.”

Shadow Foreign Minister Simon Birmingham said the vote meant the Government had “abandoned a key democratic ally in Israel”.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said: “The Prime Minister has abandoned Israel... because [the Government] want to achieve domestic votes here.”

Reporting by Lucy Tassell.

On Tuesday, South Korea’s President briefly allowed the military to take control of the country for the first time since 1980, under something called martial law.

It only lasted a few hours before it was reversed by law-makers, following mass protests in the capital, Seoul.

Here’s a brief overview of what’s happening in South Korea.

In 1987, South Korea became a democracy, following decades of military rule. Article 77 of its Constitution allows the President to declare martial law. This allows the military to take control of the country.

In South Korea, it means civil rights like freedom of speech and assembly are taken away.

Article 77 states the power can only be used in “time of war, armed conflict, or similar national emergency”.

South Korea has a democratically-elected President and Parliament that is responsible for lawmaking. The two are separate, but presidential powers are overseen by lawmakers.

Current President Yoon Suk Yeol, from the conservative People Power Party (PPP), was elected in 2022.

Despite Yoon’s election, the opposing Democratic Party of Korea (DP) holds a parliamentary majority, making it difficult for the PPP to enact policy.

Late on Tuesday, President Yoon gave a televised address declaring martial law.

In his address, President Yoon mentioned the “the threat of North Korean communist forces” as part of the reason for his declaration. He did not go into more specifics about North Korea.

President Yoon also cited the Opposition, who he called “anti-state forces”, as the reason for proclaiming the military rule.

Yoon’s popularity has sunk, with 71% of people holding a negative view of him, according to polling by the national newspaper: The Korea Times.

In his address on Tuesday night, President Yoon accused the Opposition of “trying to overthrow the free democracy” and plotting an “insurgency” against him.

These comments come after a string of arguments between the President and the Opposition. For example, there have been 22 impeachment (removal from office) motions against his administration since 2022.

Most recently, there has been a dispute about the country’s budget. The Opposition (the DP) recently made significant cuts to Yoon’s budget.

As it has a majority in Parliament, the DP can pass its changes through Parliament and President Yoon does not have the power to overrule it.

Following the declaration of martial law, protesters gathered outside the Parliament building in Seoul (which was encouraged by DP leader Lee Jae-myung).

Members of Parliament soon convened to vote against the measure. No MP (including from the President’s own party) voted to support the declaration.

Han Dong-hoon, who leads the Yoon’s party the PPP, called the move “wrong”. Han shook hands with DP leader Lee after the vote passed.

Roughly six hours after declaring martial law, President Yoon agreed to lift the declaration.

The DP is now leading calls for President Yoon to step down. His term is due to end in 2027.

Reporting by Harry Sekulich.

TDA Volunteer Profile: Meet Obby Bedford

My name is Obby Bedford, a Bunuba woman from Fitzroy Crossing, Western Australia. I often volunteer formally, helping set up events, cooking, cleaning, and organizing, and informally, supporting my community through kinship ties. Volunteering is giving your time and energy, and it’s essential for connection and community.

Volunteering is so important because that is what creates community, giving our time to each other, but we must also remember to give time and care to ourselves.

Discover how you can get involved with volunteering here.

🍊 Olympic champion's father charged with abuse. More details here.
🍊 Donald Bradman's baggy green sold for an eye-watering amount.
🍊 Harry Garside's former partner pleads guilty. Find out more.
🗞️ Also in the Sport Newsletter: soccer, a random fact and more…

Each year, the British Fashion Council gives the award to “a model who… has dominated the industry with an influence that transcends the catwalk”. Previous recipients include Kate Moss and Bella Hadid. Consani, a 21-year-old American, thanked “those that came before me, and specifically the Black trans women that really fought for the space that I’m in today.” She added that “change is more than possible, it’s needed”.

Want more good news? Sign up to our weekly Good Newsletter here - we promise it’ll make your week better!

Reporting by Lucy Tassell.

Ed Sheeran will become the first Western artist to perform in Bhutan, a tiny nation in the Himalayas.

Tickets for the concert range between 860 and 8600 Bhutanese ngultrum ($AU15.70 to $AU157).

A Government spokesperson told CNN the ‘Shape of You’ singer’s show is almost sold out.

Sheeran said he’s heard “wonderful, wonderful things” about the nation. He’ll play the country’s national stadium in the capital, Thimphu.

Reporting by Lucy Tassell.

Australia is in a housing crisis. For young people, that means being locked out of home ownership and struggling to find affordable rentals.

So what can the government do to ease these pressures?

TDA Political Journalist Harry Sekulich sat down with Housing Minister Clare O’Neil to discuss home ownership, renting, negative gearing, and ask why this generation will be worse off than their parents.