☕️ Wong warns Aussies in Lebanon

Today is a very exciting day for The Daily Aus.

You might remember that in April, we asked you – our newsletter audience – if you would consider making a voluntary financial contribution to TDA. We were blown away by the response.

Firstly, thank you so much for reading TDA. This newsletter takes a whole team (we’re small but efficient) to produce. Below are the faces of TDA: the riddle makers, podcasters, storytellers, developers, news explainers and fact-checkers.

Today, we’re launching ‘TDA+U’ – a way for our audience to make a voluntary financial contribution to TDA. Why? Because we’re determined to stay independent and continue to provide quality journalism to everyone.

A stronger TDA means more fact-checked news stories that are easy to read. More stories mean more informed Australians, who use TDA to connect with the world around them.

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We have high hopes for TDA, and we’re only just getting started.

“It’s interesting how ‘any time, any place’ becomes ‘one specific time, one specific safe space.’ I’ll be there on September 10th, like he agreed to. I hope to see him there.”
U.S. Presidential candidate Kamala Harris in a post to X, responding to rival Donald Trump’s suggestion that their upcoming debate be held on 4 September on Fox News, instead of 10 September on ABC (as was scheduled when Joe Biden was the Democrat’s nominee).

$US1.99 billion ($AU3 billion)
How much power company Hawaiian Electric has agreed to pay in a settlement to survivors of the 2023 Maui fires, after it was alleged the company failed to take down power lines that may have caused the fire, despite warnings of high winds and dry conditions.

1962
Nelson Mandela was arrested for leaving South Africa without a passport and encouraging workers to strike. He was imprisoned for 27 years.

A First Nations family violence service has ended its partnership with Collingwood, as the AFL club faces new allegations of racism.

The club is being sued by a former employee, according to court documents filed this week. The ex-staffer has accused Collingwood CEO Craig Kelly of physical assault and using racist slurs.

After investigating the matter in March, Collingwood claimed it found no evidence of wrongdoing. “The Club believes that it has acted lawfully and intends to defend the matter,” it said.

It comes after a 2021 inquiry found “systemic racism” within Collingwood FC.

The allegations against Craig Kelly were made by Collingwood’s former head of First Nations strategy, Mark Cleaver.

Cleaver, a Palawa person, was hired after a 2021 inquiry found “systemic racism” within Collingwood FC.

Court documents detail a series of alleged incidents where Kelly made racist and sexist slurs and jokes.

Kelly is also accused of physically assaulting Cleaver. The incident was reported to Victoria Police, who “determined not to take any further action,” according to Collingwood FC.

A statement from the club said “in addition to” an internal review of Cleaver’s allegations, “an external expert was engaged to review the findings,” earlier this year.

“Both processes found no breach of workplace law,” it said.

Club President Jeff Browne defended his CEO, saying "I don't think [Kelly] is the sort of person that would disrespect any other person. From my experience, he’s doing an outstanding job as CEO.”

First Nations family violence organisation Dardi Munwurro ended its partnership with Collingwood “effective immediately” on Friday.

Dardi Munwurro said the reports against the club left it “no choice but to terminate” its partnership with the AFL club.

“We are not passing judgment on any individual at the club or the club itself... we understand the media reports are based on unproven allegations that relate to an ongoing court case and we respect this process,” it said.

“The unfortunate public exposure of some of these allegations also calls on us to reiterate that Dardi Munwurro is a family violence service for the First Nations community... We are deeply committed to supporting all women to feel safe and respected in the community.” — A statement from Dardi Munwurro after it ended its partnership with Collingwood Football Club.

Reporting by Chloe Christie.

Health experts, policy advisors, doctors, and members of the public have appeared before a NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into cannabis.

The inquiry was established in March and held its first hearing yesterday. It’s tasked with examining the historical and socioeconomic impacts of the state’s current cannabis laws.

The inquiry received over 300 submissions.

The inquiry has opened the floor for different stakeholders to understand the impacts cannabis laws have had on communities.

It’ll hear from young people, the health system, employment services, police, safety officers, and other members of the community.

The committee is chaired by Legalise Cannabis Party MP Jeremy Buckingham, who says the committee will “consider alternative regimes of cannabis regulation.”

On the first day of the inquiry, NSW Premier Chris Minns told reporters he’s ruled out decriminalising recreational cannabis, saying his Government won’t “break an election commitment.”

However, it will host a four-day drug summit later this year. The program will include talks in Sydney and regional NSW. It’s expected to bring together community leaders and lawmakers to discuss improving health outcomes “for people impacted by drugs and alcohol”.

The NSW Council for Civil Liberties is a human rights advocacy group that’s made repeated calls for cannabis decriminalisation and regulation across Australia.

Its former president Nicholas Cowdery told the inquiry that cannabis charges “burden” the courts and disproportionately impact First Nations people.

“The community experiences little benefit from the attempt to reduce the prevalence of a substance that remains so widely available, despite its illegality,” Cowdery said.

Cannabis reform is also being considered in Victoria.

The state will consider introducing legal protections for unimpaired drivers who use medicinal cannabis.

Tasmania is the only state with this kind of legislation in Australia.

Discussions around medicinal reform in Victoria come after the state launched a trial earlier this year, to study the effects of medicinal cannabis on driving.

NSW MP Jeremy Buckingham has welcomed the move by the Victorian Government.

He has called on other states to consider similar reforms.

“Medical cannabis has been legal since 2016 and the law needs to reflect that.”

“No-one is defending people who get behind the wheel when they are impaired... All we are asking for is the same defence in court for medical cannabis users as already exists for those prescribed opiates,” Buckingham said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was asked about the NSW inquiry this week but declined to comment.

The PM called the issue a State Government responsibility.

The inquiry’s last hearing is currently scheduled for 20 August.

Reporting by Achol Arok.

Introducing: Betty’s Bowls

Betty’s Burgers is here to satisfy any and all food cravings with their latest menu addition: Betty’s Bowls!

You and your bestie can choose between the all-new gourmet Grilled Salmon Super Bowl or the fresh and tasty Grilled Chicken Avo Bacon Bowl for the ultimate fix. For only $16, Betty’s has you covered for lunch, dinner and anything in between.

Protein-packed and Delish!

Whether you’re looking for an exciting new dinner option, or a way to shake up your weekly lunch order, Betty’s Bowls has you covered.

Head to Betty’s Burgers and try the new Betty’s Bowls or order via the Betty’s app today.

It’s thanks to research on circular RNAs – which can be used to kill cancer cells by targeting a patient’s immune system.

Scientists hope the findings will improve cancer treatment within the next decade, and said circular RNAs will play an important role in cancer detection and diagnosis in the future, before it can be detected by an MRI.

Reporting by Nandini Dhir.

Hate turbulence? What about when you have boiling water in your hand?

Korean Air has announced it will stop serving instant ramen onboard from 15 August for this very reason – to prevent burn injuries.

In a statement, Korean Air said the “risk of burns is greater with passengers crowded together". However, those flying business or first class will still be afforded the luxury of cup noodles.

It comes amid increased reports of air turbulence, which some research shows is due to climate change.

Reporting by Nandini Dhir.

More than three in four university and TAFE students have struggled to pay for period products, according to new national data. Not-for-profit organisation Share the Dignity collected data from nearly 154,000 people for its “Bloody Big Survey”.

Nearly half of respondents reported having a medical condition relating to their period (including endometriosis). 63% have a diagnosed iron deficiency. 91% of respondents have missed out on work because of period pain, and that’s just the beginning. In today's deep dive, we speak to Share the Dignity CEO Rochelle Courtenay about the report.