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Good morning!
Our interview with Mitch Brown, the first openly bisexual man in the AFL’s history, has reached far and wide - what an incredible week in our newsroom.
Today, we bring you Part Two of our chat. Mitch and I talk about bisexuality, his family and the future of representation in the game. Here it is.
I’ve got 10 seconds
Quote of the day
“I punch blokes in the mouth for saying that.”
Federal MP Bob Katter threatening Nine journalist Josh Bavas for referencing his Lebanese ancestry. The journalist had tried to ask about Katter’s decision to participate in the anti-immigration ‘March for Australia’ rally this weekend. An ABC investigation showed some rally organisers had shared white nationalist content on social media.
Stat of the day
28%
The rise in Qantas’ profits in the 2024-25 financial year to $AU1.61 billion, compared to the year before. The airline attributed the increase to reduced costs and increased demand across all their marketable segments.
Viral moment of the moment
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement dominated social media this week. The couple captioned a joint post on Instagram announcing their engagement, “Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married”. Sports and popular culture enthusiasts unite!
I’ve got 30 seconds
Some headlines from this morning:
The Federal Government has announced plans to scrap import taxes on 500 products, ranging from wine glasses to air conditioners. The taxes, known as ‘nuisance tariffs’, were designed to boost government revenue on imported goods and ensure fair competition between Australian and international producers. However, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said they’ve become a costly inconvenience for consumers and a “compliance burden on businesses”. A final list of tariffs for removal will be published ahead of the next Budget, but could include items such as tyres and televisions. The measure is in addition to a list of 457 tariffs that were abolished last year, and comes after last week’s economic roundtable. A joint statement from the Treasurer and the Ministers for Trade and Industry said: “While other nations are putting up trade barriers, we're tearing them down”.
A shooting at a Catholic school in the U.S. state of Minnesota has left two children dead and 17 others injured. It’s understood the shooter opened fire during a mass service at the Annunciation Catholic School church in Minneapolis, killing an eight-year-old and a ten-year-old. The FBI has classified the attack as both an act of terrorism and a hate crime. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has called for action on gun violence, saying “the impetus has to be on all of us as leaders to do a whole lot more to recognise that we've got more guns in this country than we have people.” A 23-year-old was found dead at the scene. The alleged shooter is understood to have had links to the school.
I’ve got 1 minute
The UN Security Council has issued a joint statement, with 14 out of 15 members condemning “the use of starvation as a weapon of war" in Gaza.
The U.S. was the only country which did not sign the statement, which also called for Israel to lift restrictions on aid, and for Hamas to release the remaining hostages.
At least 269 Palestinians have died from malnutrition in Gaza since October 2023, including 112 children, according to figures cited by the UN.
Earlier this month, the UN agency that monitors global hunger levels – the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) – declared parts of Gaza are officially experiencing famine.
Israel rejected the report, saying it was "forged for political purposes".
The Security Council has five permanent members – the U.S, Russia, France, the UK, and China – and 10 temporary member countries.'
Reporting by Harry Sekulich.
I’ve got 2 minutes
South Korea’s Government has banned phones in schools
South Korean students are set to be banned from using phones and digital devices during school hours.
A bill enacting the ban passed South Korea’s one house of Parliament with bipartisan support.
It will come into effect in March 2026.
Ban
On Wednesday (local time), the South Korean National Assembly (Parliament) voted in favour of banning students from using their phones during school hours.
The ban gives teachers the authority to stop students using their devices on school property. It also encourages educators to teach students how to effectively use their devices.
South Korea joins the Netherlands, Italy, China, Finland and France in implementing phone bans in schools.
Students are allowed to use devices for educational purposes and emergency situations. Students with disabilities will be able to continue using assistive technology.
Comments
The Korean Federation of Teachers’ Association said the bill provided “a much firmer legal basis” to confiscate students’ phones.
On the other hand, the Korean Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union told the BBC it had concerns about students’ rights.
Young people’s rights group the National Youth Citizens’ Action criticised the bill earlier this week, saying it “treats students as objects of control and discipline, rather than respecting them as citizens with equal rights and freedoms.”
Reporting by Annabel Whitehouse.
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Give me some good news
A new study has found a worm can turn poison from the ocean into golden crystals.
The creature, known as the golden or arsenic worm, is found in hot pockets of the Pacific Ocean. It has the ability to withstand hot temperatures and even provide a cooling effect to its surroundings. Now, researchers in China have discovered these worms can also turn toxins into golden minerals. They do this by absorbing poison and sulfide into their cells “to neutralize each other” in what scientists have called an unexpected “fighting poison with poison” manner.” It’s the first time this detoxification process has been recognised.
Want more good news? Sign up to our weekly Good Newsletter here - we promise it’ll make your week better!
Reporting by Annabel Whitehouse.
TDA titbit
Ever feel like you’ve been at your job too long?
Stage actress Tshidi Manye is leaving the Broadway production of ‘The Lion King’ after more than 9,000 performances.
Manye has played the iconic role of Rafiki across multiple productions since 2000, joining the Broadway cast in 2007.
She told The New York Times: “You never leave ‘The Lion King.’ I’m pretty sure that if they call me two days after I’ve left and say, ‘Tshidi, we want you to come in for a second,’ I will jump and be here, no matter what.”
‘The Lion King’ has been on Broadway since 1997, winning six Tony Awards.
Manye’s last performance will be 31 August.
Reporting by Annabel Whitehouse.
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Yesterday, we brought you the first part of our exclusive chat with Mitch Brown. In speaking to TDA, Brown became the first player in the AFL's 129-year history to publicly identify as bisexual.
On today's chat, we ask Mitch what he expects of the AFL in response to his story, as well as his advice for the next generation of young boys.
TDA asks
