The Daily Aus

Katherine Bennell-Pegg made history in 2023 when she was selected to join a training program with the European Space Agency, graduating as the first Australian woman to become a qualified astronaut. From studying engineering to working on space missions, and training for the possibility of going to space herself someday, she's part of a new generation of Aussies pushing the boundaries of space exploration.  Katherine sat down with TDA to tell us all about what training to become an astronaut actually involves, what excites her, and what she hopes Australia's role in space will look like in the years to come. Host: Emma GillespieGuest: Katherine Bennell-Pegg, Director of Space Technology at the Australian Space AgencyProducer: Orla Maher Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful. The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent. Want more from TDA?Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletterSubscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel Have feedback for us?We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's episode of Building TDA, Sam and Zara pull the curtain back on 'fontgate'. In case you're (luckily) unfamiliar, it was the time when TDA changed its font and the internet revolted. Let's unpack. Sign up to Building TDA newsletter here! Hosts: Zara Seidler and Sam KoslowskiProducer: Orla Maher Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful. The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent. Want more from TDA?Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletterSubscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel Have feedback for us?We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today's headlines include: The Federal Court has handed Telstra an $18 million fine for misleading its broadband customers.  A deadly synagogue attack in the UK city of Manchester has been declared a terrorist incident.  The search for a missing four-year-old boy in remote South Australia will be scaled back nearly a week since he disappeared, police have confirmed.  And today’s good news: Poland has launched a new bottle and can deposit refund system, as part of efforts to improve national recycling rates.  Hosts: Emma Gillespie and Billi FitzSimonsProducer: Emma Gillespie Want to support The Daily Aus? That's so kind! The best way to do that is to click ‘follow’ on Spotify or Apple and to leave us a five-star review. We would be so grateful. The Daily Aus is a media company focused on delivering accessible and digestible news to young people. We are completely independent. Want more from TDA?Subscribe to The Daily Aus newsletterSubscribe to The Daily Aus’ YouTube Channel Have feedback for us?We’re always looking for new ways to improve what we do. If you’ve got feedback, we’re all ears. Tell us here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The U.S. government just shut down due to Congress failing to pass the budget. This is the 21st shutdown since 1977, halting most federal services and impacting thousands of workers. Discover how the budget approval process works and what a funding lapse truly means. Learn which services continue operating and what gets paused during a shutdown. The hosts unpack key disputes that led to this crisis and explore why this shutdown might differ from historical ones. It’s a fascinating look into the political stakes and next steps for the government.

Erin Patterson plans to appeal her life sentence, sparking interest in her controversial case. A landmark defence treaty between Papua New Guinea and Australia has been signed, enhancing regional security. Tragic news emerges from Indonesia as dozens of children are trapped after a school collapse. On a positive note, UNESCO has expanded its biosphere reserves, now protecting 5% of the planet and boosting global conservation efforts. Tune in for these compelling updates and more!

A woman won $93,000 from a NSW court after an unlawful strip search at a music festival in 2018. Strip searches, ideally reserved for exceptional cases, have surged in frequency, sparking public outcry. The case highlighted the humiliation and trauma faced by victims, along with criticisms of police training and oversight. The ruling could reshape future police procedures at festivals and open doors to broader compensation claims. Hosts discuss the implications of the landmark class action and its potential impact on policing practices.

Today's discussion covers a significant apology from the NSW Police Commissioner regarding an unlawful strip search, leading to a class action. In the Philippines, a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake has resulted in numerous casualties and extensive damage. The U.S. government faces a shutdown following a failed Senate budget vote, creating a political stalemate. On a brighter note, researchers have achieved a breakthrough by creating a human egg from skin cells, raising new possibilities in fertility.

A new government scheme allows first-time buyers to secure homes with just a 5% deposit, a significant drop from the usual 20%. Critics argue this could inflate property prices and benefit the wealthy. Meanwhile, experts are warning of potential price jumps and increased competition in the housing market. There are concerns about the overall impact on housing affordability and supply challenges. As debates heat up, listeners are left wondering about the long-term effects of this initiative on the Australian dream of home ownership.

The Reserve Bank of Australia keeps the cash rate steady at 3.6%, sparking discussions on inflation. Meanwhile, tension in the Middle East sees Trump and Netanyahu proposing a new ceasefire that requires approval from both sides. Paralympic champion James Turner brings home Australia's first gold at the World Para Athletics Championships in India. In brighter news, the New Zealand falcon triumphs in the country's annual Bird of the Year competition, emphasizing conservation efforts.

Australia's emergency call service faces scrutiny after multiple outages by Optus, including a recent incident affecting thousands. The hosts discuss the critical failures that led to a tragic loss of life, the role of Telstra in the system, and why fallback procedures failed. With investigations underway, they explore human error during upgrades and potential penalties from regulators. Political reactions highlight calls for a comprehensive inquiry into the entire emergency services system. Significant reforms may be on the horizon.