☕️ Iran attacks U.S. base in Qatar

We’re starting today’s newsletter with a brief break from the news cycle: we’re doing a giveaway.

TDA is giving away 2 x double passes to Game 3 of the State of Origin in Sydney. That’s right - the decider game! It’s on Wednesday 9 July.

To enter, all you need to do is sign up to TDA’s Sport Newsletter here. Good luck!

“The last couple years have been tough and I’m so glad to see you back in the winner’s circle. I’m proud of you and love you.”
Aussie golfer Min Woo Lee, responding to his sister Minjee Lee's victory at the Women's PGA Championship. The win is the third major title of Minjee's career and her first victory since October 2023.

23.6%
The percentage of U.S. films that included LGBTQ characters in 2024, down 3.7% from the previous year, according to American LGBTQ advocacy group, GLAAD. The organisation tracked 10 major film distributors, ranking Netflix, Disney and Lionsgate in its lowest category for inclusivity.

Giraffes are 30 times more likely than humans to be struck by lightning.

Deaths on Australian roads have reached the highest level on record since 2010.

Government data shows 1,337 people died on roads across the country in the year to 31 May – a 4.8% increase in deaths compared to the previous year.

The peak motoring body, the Australian Automobile Association (AAA), has called on the Federal Government to “show national leadership” and “get to the bottom of this worsening crisis.”

The increase in road fatalities over the last year was due to higher numbers of cyclist and pedestrian deaths.

Deaths increased in most parts of the country. Tasmania saw the biggest annual rise, with 43.3% more fatalities than the previous year.

The ACT reported a 28.6% increase in road fatalities for the year to May, while WA recorded a 12.1% increase.

However, road deaths were lower in the NT and SA compared to the previous year.

The rising death toll comes despite a campaign by federal state and territory governments to halve road deaths and reduce critical injuries by 30% by 2030.

No state or territory is currently on track to meet its targets, according to figures from the AAA.

AAA Managing Director Michael Bradley said the new figures show the strategy is “either not working or not being delivered.”

Transport Minister Catherine King told TDA that “improving road safety” is a Government priority.

“We are consistently working with state and territory governments, local governments and other stakeholders like the AAA to lessen the road toll,” she said.

Shadow Minister for Transport Bridget McKenzie told TDA: “The national road toll is a tragedy and the fact the Labor Government continues to ignore the rising toll is deeply concerning.”

Reporting by Annabel Whitehouse.

The Australian Government has said it supports the U.S’ decision to strike Iran’s nuclear sites, while repeating calls for a “diplomatic” solution to the Middle East conflict.

The explicit support for the U.S. strikes is slightly different to its comments on Sunday, where it took a more neutral tone.

Australia has sent two planes to Dubai as part of its efforts to evacuate Australians from the region.

Earlier this month, the UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), warned Iran was not able to show evidence “its nuclear material was not being diverted for... military use”.

The following day, Israel launched strikes across Iran, including nuclear sites. Iran struck back on Israeli cities Tel Aviv and Haifa. Both sides have said they are aiming for military infrastructure; both have killed civilians.

Iranian authorities report more than 400 deaths, mainly civilians. Israeli authorities report 25 civilian deaths.

Over the weekend, the U.S. hit three nuclear facilities across Iran: Fordo, Natanz, and Esfahan.

U.S. President Donald Trump said the sites were “completely and totally obliterated”.

The White House used ‘bunker busters’, which are bombs that drop deep into the earth before detonating. It is the first time these have been used in warfare.

Iran has now launched retaliatory missile attacks to defend itself against what it called “the United States’ criminal aggression”.

The U.S. is one of Australia’s largest strategic allies.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong said: “Iran cannot be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. We support action to prevent that from occurring. And this is what this is.”

Wong repeated calls for “diplomacy, de-escalation and dialogue” to end the conflict.

Also speaking with reporters on Monday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed Australia’s support for the U.S’ strikes.

Albanese didn’t confirm whether the U.S. briefed Australian officials before the attack. He repeatedly emphasised it was a “unilateral action by the United States”.

Albanese added: “We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region.”

The Coalition has also voiced its support for the U.S. strikes.

Wong confirmed 2,900 Australians and their families have requested help to leave Iran. In Israel, 1,300 Australians have applied to leave.

Evacuating civilians from the region has become increasingly dangerous due to growing instability.

Iran’s airspace is closed, and many commercial airlines have either halted or rerouted flights in the region.

Israel has also closed its airspace, although it has temporarily re-opened to allow for some repatriation flights.

Australia has sent two defence force flights to Dubai to help Australians get out of the Middle East.

The two planes can carry “hundreds of passengers” at a time, Defence Minister Richard Marles told Sky News on Sunday.

Marles also said groups of Australians have been leaving Israel by crossing the eastern border to Jordan.

Reporting by Harry Sekulich.

Instead of adulting this Tuesday, why not book a flight to Tokyo?

Tonight from 6-9pm AEST (set your alarm!) AirAsia is celebrating being awarded the Skytrax low-cost airline of the year for the 16th year running by serving up seriously tempting deals - up to 30% off flights from Melbourne, Sydney, or Perth to the land of ramen, robots, and ridiculously cute everything.

You'll have a cheeky pit stop in Kuala Lumpur (perfect for stretching those legs and practicing your airport runway walk), but then it's straight to Tokyo madness! Think neon lights, conveyor belt sushi, and shopping districts that'll make your heart sing.

This sale's shorter than a haiku, so don't miss it. Clear your Tuesday evening schedule, ignore your sensible inner voice, and book that Tokyo adventure your Instagram feed has been begging for.

🍊 OKC Thunder win 2025 NBA Finals. Read more here.
🍊 “Nobody likes you.” That’s what a tennis star told her opponent.
🍊 The device that is making the AFL more accessible. Details here.
🗞️ Also in today’s Sport Newsletter: golf, NRL, and more…

The Global Liveability Index (GLI) is an annual report which scores 173 cities on dozens of indicators, including healthcare outcomes, climate and environment. The 2025 GLI ranked Copenhagen as the world’s most liveable city. The Danish capital recorded perfect scores across the categories of stability, education and infrastructure. Melbourne and Sydney were ranked fourth and sixth respectively, while Adelaide was named as the ninth most liveable city in the world (behind Auckland). After three consecutive years in the top spot, Vienna dropped to equal second, tied with Zurich. Geneva, Vancouver and Osaka also featured in the top 10.

Want more good news? Sign up to our weekly Good Newsletter here - we promise it’ll make your week better!

Reporting by Emma Gillespie.

The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are getting a 400% pay rise.

In case you’re unfamiliar, the cheerleaders rose to global fame after the 2024 release of the Netflix documentary ‘America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders’, which focused on the team’s competitive try-outs and intense working conditions.

Both seasons showed the financial hardship experienced by many of the cheerleaders. Former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader Jada McLean told the New York Times she received $US15 ($AU23) an hour during the 2024 season.

The second season of the show, which launched earlier this month, announced the cheerleaders would receive a pay increase but did not say by how much. McLean said the cheerleaders could be paid $US75 ($AU115) an hour.

Reporting by Annabel Whitehouse.

Over the weekend, the U.S. struck Iran. It’s the largest attack America has ever carried out on Iran, and comes amid a war between Iran and Israel, which counts the U.S. as its closest ally. In today’s episode, we’ll catch you up on this rapidly-evolving story and explain the historic strike, discuss Iran’s reaction, and take a look at how Australia has responded to the attack.