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Good morning!
On Monday, we set ourselves what felt like an ambitious goal of welcoming 50 new contributors to The Daily Aus. Turns out we seriously underestimated you, because more than 120 new readers have now generously chosen to financially support the work we do.
Naturally, this has made the office a little competitive, with everyone making their prediction for the final number (one colleague is holding firm on 200).
Every contribution, big or small, helps us keep explaining the news, alongside the support we get from our advertising partners.
Thank you to everyone who has already jumped in, because you've well and truly made our week!
I’ve got 10 seconds
The quote: “Of course I know that it’s Jannik Sinner.”
New Tennis Australia CEO Andrew Abdo to reporters at the Australian Open launch yesterday, after he called men's world No. 1 Jannik Sinner "Jacob Sinner" on stage, according to The Guardian.
The stat: 40 years. The time since an alleged sexual assault of a 15-year-old girl in Sydney’s Redfern in 1986. NSW Police arrested a 79-year-old man on Thursday following an investigation into the alleged historical assault. ABC reports the man is prominent Indigenous elder Mick Mundine.
The big question:
Yesterday’s results: 54% of you say you ‘sort of’ stick to a budget. 33% of you say you don’t. Thanks for voting - your responses inform TDA's journalism and research. [2,510 votes].
I’ve got 30 seconds
Some headlines from this morning:
Russian strikes on Ukraine have killed at least 32 people, including children, and injured 100 others. In a video address following the attacks, which occurred on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s birthday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said: "This is the kind of birthday present that Putin gave himself: the killing of children, the killing of people.” Russia's defence ministry said its forces had carried out a "massive strike" on military-industrial facilities in Kyiv and other Ukrainian regions using high-precision land, sea and air-launched weapons as well as drones.
The U.S. state of Texas has pushed ahead with an execution using the same lethal injection method that failed in the case of Christa Pike in Tennessee. Jamaal Howard, who fatally shot a convenience store clerk in 2000, was put to death on Wednesday becoming the 30th person executed in the U.S. this year. Earlier Wednesday, Howard's attorneys unsuccessfully sought to block the execution by arguing that he was intellectually disabled and that he faced risks similar to those in Pike's case. For more on this, you can listen to yesterday’s deep dive on the failed execution of Christa Pike.
Together with AAP.
I’ve got 1 minute
Kmart has stopped selling its $89 Anko smart glasses after the Australian privacy regulator launched an investigation into the developer of the app used by the controversial devices.
The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) is investigating the Chinese company that developed the HeyCyan app needed to unlock the glasses’ full functionality.
Here’s what you need to know.
Background
Smart glasses look like ordinary eyewear but can include cameras, microphones and AI features. Depending on the model, they can take photos and videos, make calls and translate speech in real time.
Meta has partnered with Ray-Ban on smart glasses since 2021, with newer models featuring an AI assistant. Current-generation Ray-Ban Meta glasses cost about $700, while the Kylie Jenner edition is priced at about $650.
Kmart’s $89 Anko smart glasses sold out within days of launching.
Investigation
This week, the privacy regulator launched an investigation into the company behind the app connected to Kmart’s smart glasses.
The Privacy Commissioner had previously asked manufacturers and distributors to clarify how their glasses record information, as well as where it is stored and who can access it.
Chinese developer Shenzhen Qingcheng operates the HeyCyan app, the software connected to Kmart’s Anko smart glasses. The developer did not respond to the commissioner’s questions.
On Wednesday, Commissioner Carly Kind said the OAIC had “no assurance that it is protecting personal data of Australians”.
Ms Kind said: “Given the particular risks the OAIC has identified with the HeyCyan app, I would urge responsible retailers to consider whether it is appropriate to continue making these devices available.”
Kmart has since pulled the smart glasses from its website. The retailer has not responded to TDA’s requests for comment.
Reporting by Emily Donohoe.
Quick hits
🎧 On today’s TDA podcast, Elliot and Billi explain the youth revolt happening right now in France. Listen or watch on Apple here, Spotify here, or YouTube here.
🍿 Need some more good news in your life? Same. Sign up to TDA’s Good Newsletter here.
I’ve got 2 minutes
Former Bachelor star Sam Wood has been refused bail and will remain behind bars after facing court on serious domestic violence charges.
The 46-year-old appeared in court on Thursday via video link, where his lawyer applied for bail. However, it was refused.
He has been charged with assault occasioning bodily harm (domestic violence) and strangulation in a domestic setting at a Noosa property last Saturday night.
Here is what you need to know.
Sam Wood
Wood is an Australian media personality and entrepreneur behind the online fitness company “28 by Sam Wood”.
He rose to fame in 2015 on season three of The Bachelor, where he met his now-wife Snezana Markoski.
The couple married in 2018 and have four children, including Snezana’s daughter from a previous relationship.
Charges
On Saturday night, Queensland Police were called to a Noosa property following reports of domestic violence.
Police said they charged a “46-year-old Victorian man” with two domestic violence offences, including strangulation.
On Monday, a statement on his Instagram page said: “This is a difficult time for all of us, we are working through this as a family and are thoroughly co-operating with the authorities.”
Court
Note: TDA was not in the courtroom. The following details are from journalists present at the hearing, including AAP.
The court heard there had been an argument between the couple, during which Wood allegedly pushed and choked his wife. His stepdaughter tried to intervene, the court heard, and was the one to call Triple Zero.
Police prosecutor Sergeant Jeanette Grigoris told the court that police had spoken with the alleged victim, who was “supportive of the charges”.
The complainant described the alleged incident in a video-recorded statement where she said she had her head banged against the floor.
Sergeant Grigoris said the complainant had described feeling she “thought she was going to die” and was “in fear of her safety”.
The court also heard about an earlier alleged domestic violence incident involving Wood in Melbourne, which was of a similar nature to the current allegations. However, no charges were laid in that matter.
What’s next?
Bail may be refused for a number of different reasons, including if there is an unacceptable risk that:
The accused fails to appear at court in the future.
The safety of the alleged victim is endangered.
The accused could interfere with witnesses.
The charges against Wood remain before the courts.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic, family or sexual violence, contact 1800RESPECT. Call: 1800 737 732. Text: 0458 737 732. Video: 1800RESPECT.org.au.
Reporting by Adella Beaini.
Give me some good news
A 13-year-old who swam for four hours through rough water to save his family has been awarded one of Australia's top bravery honours.
In February, Austin Appelbee, his mother and two younger siblings were swept out to sea off Quindalup in Western Australia. Austin swam to shore and ran 2km to call for help, and his family was rescued after 10 hours in the water. This week, he received the Clarke Gold Medal from the Royal Humane Society of Australasia, though the 13-year old said the medal should be shared with his siblings, and that his mother was among the bravest that day.
Reporting by Pavitra Ravi.
TDA titbit
A 61-year-old grandma has broken the world record for the longest plank held by a woman.
How long? Oh, just a casual five (5!!!!) hours.
DonnaJean Wilde set the record at the Huntsman World Senior Games in Utah, beating her own previous Guinness World Record of 4 hours 30 minutes and 11 seconds.
According to Guinness, she “planks for 2-3 hours everyday as regular daily exercise”.
Clearly, DonnaJean doesn't believe in breaks. Not even between her first name(s)!
TDA asks
