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Good morning!
Oh what a pleasure it is to be back in your inboxes! Before I left for my little break, I asked for all your book recommendations and I was inundated. I read four books whilst I was off (yes, a humble brag!) which is objectively the best part of all holidays.
The book I can't stop thinking about is Yesteryear. You've probably heard about it - it's about an influencer who is suddenly transported back to the 1850s. I couldn't tell you if I loved it, or hated it, but it was definitely... something. I recommend it if you're looking for a book you can't put down!
I’ve got 10 seconds
The quote: “Growing up, this is the one world record that I thought I would never break… I’m in shock right now.”
19-year-old Canadian swimmer Summer McIntosh on breaking the last super-suit era world record in women's swimming, with victory in the 200m butterfly at the 2026 Canadian Swimming Trials. The three-time Olympic champion set a time of 2:01.65 – a 0.16-second improvement on China's Liu Zige's record, which she set wearing a full-body polyurethane suit in 2009. The suits were banned the following year.
The stat: 350km/h. The speed of wind gusts at the centre of Super Typhoon Bavi, as it makes landfall in the western Pacific near the U.S. territorial islands of Guam, Tinian, and Saipan. The U.S. National Weather Service described the category five system as catastrophic, dangerous and destructive, warning it could bring swells of up to 14 metres in addition to extreme wind.
The big question:
Should Anthony Albanese have apologised for his comments about Kylie Minogue? (More context below!)
Yesterday’s results: Almost half (47%) of you mainly use Facebook Marketplace as your re-selling platform. Thanks for voting - your responses inform TDA's journalism and research. [2,400 votes]
I’ve got 30 seconds
Some headlines from this morning:
Australia has signed off on a major defence alliance with Fiji, as the Government seeks to counter Chinese influence in the Pacific. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese met with his Fijian counterpart to sign the key agreements in Suva on Monday. The alliance compels each country to come to the other's aid in the event of an attack. Leaders from both sides will also have to raise any security issues that could threaten the sovereignty of the other country. The agreement is the fourth formal defence pact Australia has signed, following deals with the U.S, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
Melbourne’s tobacco wars have escalated after a ram raid saw a row of 10 shops engulfed by flames. Fire Rescue Victoria crews were called to what is believed to be a tobacco shop in the inner-city Suburb of Richmond early on Monday morning. Crews arrived within three minutes to find the store fully alight. It took 80 firefighters and 25 firefighting trucks nearly two hours to get the blaze under control. A Fire Rescue Victoria spokesperson said around 10 shops within the one building were impacted by the fire, but no one was inside at the time.
Together with AAP.
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I’ve got 1 minute
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said he apologises “unequivocally” for comments he made about Kylie Minogue on a podcast last week.
During an interview on Nova’s ‘Bush Deep’ podcast, host Nikki Osborne asked him to play “shag, marry, date” with Minogue, Nicole Kidman, and Rhonda Burchmore. Albanese said he’d do “all of the above” with Minogue.
Opposition figures have said the comments were beneath the office of the PM.
Context
The “shag, marry, date” question was asked during a rapid-fire portion of Osborne’s interview at the PM's official Canberra residence.
Albanese married Jodie Haydon earlier this year. When first asked, he tried to sidestep it, pointing out he'd “just got married” and was “only six months in.”
Osborne pushed him to answer anyway, telling him to “pretend” the marriage had “gone tits up”. Albanese then conceded he’d choose “Kylie, clearly” for all three options, saying “she’s terrific”.
Response
On Monday, Albanese issued a statement through his office, saying “I apologise unequivocally for the comments”.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce said the PM “doesn’t need to play a stupid game” and that most people would have avoided the question.
Liberal frontbencher Andrew Bragg said the comments were beneath the PM’s office, adding: “It’s good that he’s apologised, but he shouldn’t have said it in the first place.”
Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek told Sunrise she had not listened to the full podcast, but said: “If what the Prime Minister is saying is that he’s a fan of Kylie Minogue, I guess that puts him in a group with millions of other Australians”.
Reporting by Elliot Lawry.
Quick hits
🎧 On today’s TDA podcast, features editor Emma tells editor-in-chief Billi about the crisis in Australian theatre. Listen or watch on Apple here, Spotify here, or YouTube here.
⚽️ Got World Cup fever? Sign up to TDA Sport here for a daily wrap every afternoon.
Good Finds
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I’ve got 2 minutes
U.S. media reports say President Donald Trump intervened to have striker Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension overturned in time for the round of 16 match against Belgium.
Balogun, the U.S’ leading goalscorer, was penalised during Thursday’s round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
It’s the first time a red card at a World Cup has been reversed since 1962.
Belgium’s football association said it is “astonished”.
Red card
During Thursday’s match against Bosnia and Herzegovina, Balogun was red carded for foul play against Tarik Muharemović.
According to FIFA rules, players who are red carded during the World Cup are ruled out for their team’s next match. This meant Balogun was unavailable to play in the U.S’ next match, in the round of 16 against Belgium, set for Monday (local time).
Intervention
On Sunday (local time), FIFA said Balogun was now available to play against Belgium.
“The automatic match suspension for U.S. player Folarin Balogun is suspended for... one year,” it said.
It is the first red card to be overturned since the 1962 World Cup, when the Government of host country, Chile, petitioned FIFA to reverse a penalty against Brazilian winger Garrincha.
U.S. media reports Trump spoke to FIFA President Gianni Infantino about the suspension. Trump praised the decision on Truth Social.
Infantino and Trump’s friendship is well-documented. Trump referenced Infantino in a speech ahead of his 2025 inauguration, and facilitated Infantino’s visits to his Florida residence Mar-a-Lago and the Oval Office. Last year, FIFA launched a Peace Prize. Infantino presented the inaugural award to Trump.
Response
The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) released a statement saying it is “astonished” by the decision, which it believes contradicts the rules.
It said it is “investigating all potential options.”
Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster also weighed in, saying: “Under Infantino there’s no longer such thing as an ‘independent FIFA Committee’.”
“Trump proudly proclaims how he influenced the unprecedented decision during a World Cup,” he said, adding: “What an embarrassment for football.”
Reporting by Emily Donohoe.
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Give me some good news
In an Australian first, jet fuel made from used cooking oil will be introduced at Brisbane Airport.
The fuel is made from raw materials and organic matter, and will be stored, blended and delivered to planes through existing infrastructure. The project, led by Viva Energy, means Brisbane will become the first Australian airport with a dedicated end-to-end pipeline for the lower-emissions fuel. The company’s General Manager of Aviation Nick Adams said the announcement “is an important step towards a more reliable SAF market in Australia… that can support lower-emissions aviation.”
Reporting by Emma Gillespie.
TDA titbit
We might be The Daily Aus, but any readers in England may have noticed an item missing from the cabinets at bakery chain Greggs.
Before Mexico took on England in the FIFA World Cup on Sunday (local time), Greggs pulled their Mexican chicken sandwich range from English menus.
The removal applied only on Sunday, 5 July in England. Scottish, Northern Irish, and Welsh customers were still able to order the chipotle-sauced sangas.
In the end, Mexico didn’t win the match, but their cuisine will always win for flavour.
Reporting by Emily Donohoe.
TDA asks
