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Good morning!
Here is today’s trivia question: Which Australian artist is currently sitting highest on the ARIA Singles Chart?
The answer is at the end of the titbit!
I’ve got 10 seconds
The quote: “To our customers, I am sorry. We don't take for granted the trust customers place in Origin and our safeguarding of their information.” Origin chief executive Frank Calabria in a statement confirming that a recent data breach allowed access to information from about 900,000 current and former customers, adding that it's now a "criminal matter." The company has been investigating a “potential security threat” since early July.
The stat: 10.59 seconds. The new Australian women’s record for the 100m sprint, set by Torrie Lewis at the Commonwealth Games. Lewis won Bronze in the final. It was the second time in just a few hours that she broke the record (the first was in the semi-final).
The big question:
Do you watch more than one hour of live TV, excluding sport, in an average week?
Yesterday’s results: 84% of you said that you received the AusAlert notification and “it made noise”. 3% of you said you got the notification but no noise and 13% of you said you did not receive any alert. Thanks for voting - your responses inform TDA's journalism and research. [3,881 votes]
I’ve got 30 seconds
Some headlines from this morning:
Dangerous weather is hampering the search for a two-month-old baby in waters off South Australia. Police located an abandoned car with its engine still running near Port MacDonnell in the state’s southeast on Monday. The bodies of a 36-year-old mother and toddler were recovered in the ocean nearby a short time later. Police hold grave fears for a second child who remains missing. Multiple emergency agencies are assisting SA Police in the search for the baby, which resumed in rough seas on Tuesday afternoon. State Emergency Service duty officer Ian Bonython said responders had encountered “very dangerous conditions”. He added: “We have a drone down there, but it's unable to fly because of high winds”. Investigators said there’s no information at this time to suggest that anyone else was involved in the incident. If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline for 24/7 crisis support on 13 11 14.
The head of the Reserve Bank has warned more rate hikes may be needed to get inflation under control, as the Middle East oil crisis risks pushing prices ever higher. Speaking at an event in Sydney, RBA governor Michele Bullock acknowledged conditions have eased slightly since May, but she said inflation “is still too high”. Australia’s central bank has lifted rates three times since February. Bullock said a “key question in the period ahead is whether the tightening in monetary policy earlier in the year is sufficient”. She added: “The board is prepared to act as required… including by increasing the cash rate further if needed.” Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the re-escalating conflict in the Middle East posed a “substantial threat to global inflation”. The RBA board will hand down its next rate decision on 11 August.
Together with AAP.
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I’ve got 1 minute
Ben Carroll has been chosen as the new Premier of Victoria, following Jacinta Allan’s resignation on Tuesday morning.
Carroll was previously Allan’s Deputy, and on Monday told the outgoing Premier he would challenge her leadership.
He was unanimously chosen for the position, while Gabrielle Williams was voted to be Deputy Premier.
Here’s what you need to know about the new state leader.
Background
On Monday, Carroll posted to X, saying he had told Allan he would challenge her leadership.
The Guardian and The Age reported Allan was planning to face the leadership vote yesterday.
However, around 9:30am on Tuesday, Allan held a press conference to announce her resignation.
“Should Ben Carroll emerge as our next Labor leader... he will have my congratulations and unqualified support,” Allan said in her speech.
Carroll
Carroll is 51, and worked as a policy advisor and lawyer before entering Parliament.
He has been the member for Niddrie in Melbourne’s north-west for 14 years.
During his time as an MP, Carroll has served in portfolios including Roads, Public Transport, and Employment.
Before his appointment as leader, he was Deputy Premier and held the Education, Medical Research, and WorkSafe and Transport Accident Commission (TAC) portfolios.
In a video shared to social media, Carroll said: “I am humbled and honoured... This decision is not easy, but the stakes at this election are too high.”
Reporting by Emily Donohoe.
Quick hits
🎧 On today’s TDA podcast, features editor Emma explains why Victoria has a new Premier. Listen or watch on Apple here, Spotify here, or YouTube here.
🎾 Want the latest on how Australia is going at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow? Sign up to TDA Sport here for a full rundown in your inbox at 4.30pm.
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I’ve got 2 minutes
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has addressed criticism of his leadership and organisation in a 15-slide Instagram carousel and an open letter.
Infantino said “those behind their pens and papers, behind their screens spreading hate and false rumours,” had “missed our beautiful game” at the World Cup.
Why? Let’s dive in.
Who is Infantino?
Infantino was first elected FIFA President in 2016, and re-elected in 2019 and 2023 without opposition. He plans to run again in 2027.
Trained as a lawyer, Infantino built his career in football administration, taking over FIFA after former president Sepp Blatter left amid corruption allegations. According to FIFA, Infantino has sought to make the organisation “credible, trustworthy, modern, professional and accountable”.
He also has a well-documented friendship with U.S. President Donald Trump, who referenced him in a speech ahead of his 2025 inauguration, and hosted him at Mar-a-Lago and the Oval Office. Last year, FIFA launched a Peace Prize. Infantino presented the inaugural award to Trump.
What he said
On Monday, Infantino posted a 15-slide Instagram carousel to both his account and FIFA’s, and an open letter on the FIFA website. Here are two of the key claims he made:
Red cards
“‘Arguable’ referees’ decisions or ‘strange’ disciplinary rulings such as for instance potentially mistaken red or yellow cards or subsequent decisions not to ban players in certain situations are routine and widely accepted in some of the biggest leagues worldwide.”
During the World Cup, Trump intervened with FIFA to have U.S. striker Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension successfully overturned. It was the first instance at a World Cup where a player avoided a one-match suspension after a red card since 1962.
Visas
“Countries facing serious health issues or other challenges were granted visas… you mentioned the few people denied visas and overlooked the millions who were approved, from all parts of the world”.
Players from Iran (currently at war with the U.S.) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (experiencing an Ebola outbreak) were granted visas to play. However, Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the U.S. over "vetting concerns". Somalia is on Trump's travel ban list and FIFA said host nations control entry. Artan was set to become his country's first World Cup referee. Meanwhile, the U.S. granted visas to Iranian players, but denied some to staff, and the team faced travel restrictions. Captain Mehdi Taremi called it "a disaster World Cup."
Complaint
Infantino's post follows a formal complaint to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from human rights nonprofit FairSquare, alleging he breached the charter's political neutrality rules "through statements or other clear expressions of support for the U.S. president."
The IOC said it would not investigate him because the complaint is outside its jurisdiction.
Reporting by Pavitra Ravi.
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Give me some good news
Credit: Centre for Astrophysics (Harvard & Smithsonian)
Astronomers have detected a planet 48 light-years away that could be capable of harbouring life.
Harvard University scientists discovered an earth-like atmosphere around a rocky planet, located in the habitable zone of another star. While other studies have found rocky planets, this is the first time the presence of an atmosphere has been clearly demonstrated. Lead author Collin Cherubim said “an atmosphere is essential for a planet to support life as we know it.” The breakthrough is the strongest evidence yet that worlds with similar conditions to earth could exist beyond our solar system, with the findings described as a “major milestone in the search for life on other planets”.
Reporting by Emma Gillespie.
TDA titbit
An Australian-founded Michelin-starred restaurant in Seoul is in court over a dessert topped with black ants. Yes, really.
Prosecutors allege Evett served imported ants about 12,000 times between 2021 and 2025. The problem? Black ants aren't on South Korea's list of approved edible insect species.
The restaurant's lawyers say diners knew the ants were on the menu, the insects cleared customs, and Evett stopped using them as soon as authorities launched an investigation.
In a titbit within a titbit, you might recognise founder and chef Joseph Lidgerwood from Netflix's Culinary Class Wars.
The court is due to deliver its verdict on 2 September.
Reporting by Pavitra Ravi.
Trivia answer: Dracula by Tame Impala. If you don’t recognise the title, you might recognise these lyrics from TikTok: “Now I'm Mr. Charisma, f***ing Pablo Escobar/My friends are saying, "Shut up, Kevin, just get in the car".
TDA asks
