Hump day: The Wednesdays that are trash compacted between two thick workdays on either side. However, just because you’re being smooshed, squished, and squeezed, doesn’t mean you can’t take some time to learn what’s happening around the planet. Speaking of which, here are some of today’s biggest headlines.
There’s a Lit Meteor Shower Happening Tonight
In November, Australia got to enjoy a total lunar eclipse and a blood moon, all in one night. But fortunately for us space simps, this event wasn’t the last solar experience to grace 2022’s skies. This is because the Geminid meteor shower is currently popping off.
The Geminid meteor shower is an annual event where debris from an asteroid called 3200 Phaethon becomes an array of shooting stars for the people of Earth. This event happens over two weeks, but the best night to enjoy this shindig is on December 14.
Moreover, here’s the best exact time to enjoy tonight’s Geminid meteor shower, depending on where you live:
- In Brisbane, the best time’s 9:00pm AEST
- In Darwin, the best time’s 9:30pm ACST
- In Perth, the best time’s 10:00pm AWST
- In Sydney, the best time’s 10:30pm AEDT
- In Canberra, the best time’s 10:45pm AEDT
- In Adelaide, the best time’s 11:00pm ACDT
- In Melbourne, the best time’s 11:00pm AEDT
- In Hobart, the best time’s 11:00pm AEDT
The best place in the sky this shooting star bonza will be taking place is just a bit aways from Mars. Just be patient, have a vibe sesh, and scream at any clouds that get in the way. Best of luck.
New Zealand Will Ban Folks Born After 2009 From Buying Ciggies
In a huge move, New Zealand is making it increasingly difficult for its citizens to buy cigarettes. This is because the government is putting a lifetime ban on anyone born after January 1, 2009, from buying these tobacco products. The government is also cutting the amount of licensed tobacco distributors from 6,000 to 600 by the end of next year.
“There is no good reason to allow a product to be sold that kills half the people that use it,” said the country’s Associate Minister of Health, Ayesha Verrall.
“And I can tell you that we will end this in the future, as we pass this legislation.”
A small and libertarian political group in New Zealand, the ACT Party, has opposed this ban. They’re claiming that these restrictions will create a cigarette black market. However, the ban has been welcomed by several notable health agencies.
Related: What to Do in Auckland, New Zealand — Where to Eat, Stay and Play
Related: The End of Tobacco? How the NZ Cigarette Ban Could Be Coming to Australia
Coming Soon: Wearing Pants While Playing Netball
In some good news, Aussie netballers will no longer have to wear a dress while playing this sport in a community and professional-grade club. As of January next year, these individuals will be allowed to adorn a singlet, short-sleeve shirt, long-sleeve shirt, bodysuit, skirt, shorts, or long pants during their netball games.
These changes are taking place because Netball Australia conducted a review into how Australia felt about said sport. This review came back stating that the organisation’s strict dress-code was limiting the amount of people signing up to play games.
As Netball Australia’s Manager for Strategy, Government, and Community, Glenn Turnor said, “Netball is ever-evolving, and we need to reflect this in all aspects of our game, including uniform choices.”
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