☕️ The PM's address to nation

I hope you all managed to come out unscathed by April Fools yesterday.

Or, as TDA’s readers labelled it: ‘April Fuels’.

The quote: “We are deeply alarmed by the kidnapping of Al-Monitor contributor Shelly Kittleson in Iraq on Tuesday. We call for her safe and immediate release. We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work.” Independent Middle East news outlet AI-Monitor in a statement calling for the release of the American journalist who was kidnapped in Iraq this week.

The stat: 14,700. The number of people who have applied for voluntary assisted dying (VAD) in Australia since laws were first introduced in Victoria in 2019, according to a new national report from advocacy group Go Gentle Australia. There have been more than 7,000 deaths using a VAD substance.

The big question:

Yesterday’s results: 60% of you said that your long weekend plans have changed because of fuel shortages and costs [2032 votes].

Together with AAP.

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered a rare televised address on Wednesday night, outlining the Government’s response to the war in the Middle East and the resulting fuel shortages.

The PM did not announce any new policies, or changes to Australia’s level of involvement in the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran.

Instead, he suggested Australians catch public transport to work in the coming weeks where possible, and to avoid taking “more fuel than you need”.

Albanese acknowledged the impact of high petrol prices due to Iran closing the Strait of Hormuz, which is the world's busiest oil shipping channel.

“Australia is not an active participant in this war. But all Australians are paying higher prices because of it,” he said.

“The reality is, the economic shocks caused by this war will be with us for months... We will do everything we can to protect Australia from the worst of it,” Albanese added.

The last time an Australian Prime Minister delivered a televised address to the nation was in March 2020 at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

U.S. President Donald Trump will also be delivering a national address at midday today (AEDT).

Reporting by Lucy Tassell

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against a ban on LGBTQIA+ conversion practices in the state of Colorado.

The state outlawed the practice in 2019. A Christian therapist challenged the ban on the grounds that it impedes her right to freedom of speech and religion.

A lower court will now decide if the ban is actually overturned.

Here’s what you need to know.

Conversion practices are used to try to suppress or change a person’s identity or sexuality.

They are sometimes known as conversion ‘therapy’.

Colorado banned conversion practices in 2019, defining it as “any practice or treatment... that attempts... to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity”.

Before the Supreme Court ruling, Colorado was among 29 states either legally prohibiting or restricting conversion practices.

Last year, Christian counsellor Kaley Chiles brought a case against the ban, arguing it impedes her rights under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The First Amendment says the U.S. Government cannot make laws to stop people practicing their religion, or to block freedom of speech.

The case escalated to the Supreme Court, which decides how the U.S. Constitution is interpreted.

Chiles said the ban stopped her from “fully explor[ing]” clients’ “experiences around sexuality and gender,” including discussion of their “unwanted sexual attraction, behaviours, or identity”.

The case notes she “employs only talk therapy,” rather than “physical interventions”.

The judges ruled in Chiles’ favour 8-1, with Justice Neil Gorsuch saying: “However well-intentioned, any law that suppresses speech based on viewpoint represents an ‘egregious’ assault”.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson voted against the decision, saying: “The Constitution does not pose a barrier to reasonable regulation of harmful medical treatments just because [they come] via speech instead of scalpel.”

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said the decision is a “setback for Colorado’s efforts to protect children and families from harmful and discredited mental health practices”.

National Center for LGBTQ Rights Legal Director Shannon Minter said the ruling “does not mean that conversion therapy is safe or legal.”

Decisions made in Supreme Court cases inform future rulings.

Conversion therapy bans in other states could similarly be challenged with this case used as precedent.

This specific decision will be sent back to a Colorado court, which will have the power to overturn the ban.

Reporting by Emily Donohoe.

In 2026, many young Aussies are planning for the future while still living in the moment.

In a recent TDA Instagram poll, housing emerged as the number one money priority – from saving for a first home to managing rent and mortgages. Travel and big life moments weren’t far behind.

The challenge? Balancing long-term savings goals with the everyday cost of living and not sacrificing too much fun.

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Thailand, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Nepal are among the countries who’ve signed on to participate, with more countries expected to join the contest in the coming months. SBS confirmed Australia will not be competing, but the broadcaster said it “will be watching with interest as it develops.” Australia will, however, be represented by Delta Goodrem at the main Eurovision gala in Austria next month, as the iconic pop music event turns 70. The 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, hosted in Switzerland, drew over 100 million viewers.

Reporting by Emma Gillespie.

A judge has temporarily blocked construction of U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned White House ballroom.

Late last year, the National Trust for Historic Preservation argued the President had no legal authority to build the project because Congress owns and funds the White House.

The $US400 million project ($AU637 million) would replace the demolished East Wing.

Judge Richard Leon ruled: “The President of the United States is the steward of the White House… He is not, however, the owner!”

He added: “Unless and until Congress blesses this project through statutory authorisation, construction has to stop!”

And yes, those exclamation marks are actually in his decision.

The injunction pauses work for 14 days while the administration considers an appeal.

Reporting by Pavitra Ravi.