Thursday Edition

Good morning

Good morning, members, and welcome to another lovely Thursday. How are we all on this cold morning? We hope you’re all staying warm and cosy indoors! If you’re looking for something to do today, why not curl up with a good book or I don’t know, maybe read our stellar lineup for today 😉 We’ve got all the usual suspects, plus a few new additions to keep things interesting. So without further ado, let’s get started, shall we?

First up on the agenda, we have the answer to yesterday’s riddle for you. In case you don’t remember, the riddle was:

I saw a man in white, he looked quite a sight. He was not old, but he stood in the cold. And when he felt the sun, he started to run. Please answer me. Who could he be?

Did you get it? The answer is a snowman! But let me explain: the man in white is the snow, he’s not old because he’s just been built, he’s in the cold because he’s made of snow, and when he feels the sun, he starts to melt or ‘run’. A lot of you got this one correct, so give yourselves a pat on the back! If you’re one of those who got it correct, stick around, and you’ll find a shoutout waiting for you at the end of the newsletter.

Now, on to today’s Fascinating Fact!

Did you know that the average person blinks around 14,000 times per day? On average, most people blink around 15 to 20 times each minute. That means, while you’re awake, you probably blink 900 – 1,200 times an hour or 14,400 – 19,200 times a day. Blinking is an important reflex that helps to keep our eyes healthy and lubricated. When we blink, our eyelids spread tears over the surface of our eyes, which helps to clean and protect them. So the next time you find yourself getting lost in a good book or movie, make sure to take a break and blink a few times!

Now then, members, what’s happening in Australia and around the world in the news today?

• Coles has announced a major change to their stores to help customers as Australians grapple with the cost of living crisis.
• Shoppers are rushing to their local Coles to get their hands on the newly released Cadbury block, which has received a solid "10 out of 10" rating from one reviewer.
• SCAM ALERT: Aldi shoppers have been urged to be wary of a "convincing" new supermarket scam targeting vulnerable social media users.
• Unfortunately, we have another Scam Alert for you. Please keep an eye out for this terrifying new scam that leads to a FAKE Medicare link. So far, these criminals have managed to steal millions from everyday Aussies.
• A Woolworths shopper stunned social media users with a hilarious parenting hack while shopping.
• Coles shoppers claimed that the supermarket's popular "free" Hot Roast Chicken vouchers had been removed from their local stores. But here's what Coles has to say about it.
• Choice, a leading consumer advocacy group, is investigating an easy-to-miss detail when entering Bunnings, Kmart, and The Good Guys.
• A mum has been left shocked after discovering an illegal item in her seven-year-old son's school bag, which he mistook for a 'sour lolly.'
• A mum-of-two has gone viral after sharing the seven house rules she makes her young daughters follow, including paying rent from 18 and keeping their phone location turned on. But is it too harsh?
• Authorities have issued new warnings that up to five states could face blackouts as the electricity crisis worsens and a critical coal-fired power station loses half its capacity.
• Looking for a delicious and hearty soup recipe to keep you warm this winter? Try this quick and easy Meatball & Tomato Soup recipe.
• Thinking about going caffeine-free? Popular Australian scientist Dr Karl explains why giving up the much-loved beverage may be a bad idea.

Well, that’s a wrap for today, folks! We hope you’ve enjoyed today’s news, and we’ve got plenty more in store for you below, including a rude and a little crude but hilarious joke from member @Vinylted and a lovely photo from member @Kramx.

Also, don't forget to check out today's OzWord, our 'Last Two Letters' game, our Sudoku puzzles, and our 'The -ing Game' for some fun brain training.

And last but not least, as promised, we have a new competition for you all! It's called the 'Nostalgia Competition.' To enter, simply tell us your most cherished memory from the Australia you grew up in. The competition will run from today until the end of July, and the winner will receive a $100 gift voucher to the supermarket of their choice. We would love to hear your stories about Yesterday's Australia, so please join in the competition by sharing your memories with us!

As always, stay safe and happy reading!

- Jonathan, Vella, Sean, James, Sethia & Maddie.