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Good morning!
And happy World Emoji Day.
Why is today World Emoji Day, you ask? Because it’s the date displayed on the calendar emoji, of course!
My hot take: The salute emoji has done irreversible damage to workplace communication. 🫡
I’ve got 10 seconds
The quote: “For my successor... I won’t give advice, I will simply give my whole-hearted support… This is the end of my political journey.”
Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in his final ‘Prime Minister’s Questions’ (equivalent to Question Time) on Wednesday (local time). The UK will have a new Prime Minister early next week, after Keir Starmer announced his resignation last month.
The stat: 200. The approximate number of workers at BHP’s Port Hedland, WA, iron ore port who went on strike for eight hours yesterday over pay and conditions.
The big question:
Yesterday’s results: You were split 50-50 on using tracking apps for your family and friends. Thanks for voting - your responses inform TDA's journalism and research. [2,100 votes]
I’ve got 30 seconds
Some headlines from this morning:
A teenager who allegedly researched how to make bombs and methods to derail trains has been granted bail. The teen was charged in March with collecting manuals, guides and material promoting ISIS-inspired terrorism and importing an ISIS flag. An investigation was launched after intelligence indicated the flag, destined for an inner-city Melbourne address, was imported into Australia. Counter-terrorism detectives raided the address and seized a USB, mobile phone and laptop. On the USB, detectives allegedly found a photo of a bomb in a backpack and instructional materials for the preparation of explosives. In granting bail, the judge considered a psychologist’s report that the now-18-year-old is likely to have undiagnosed autism, and a letter the teen wrote where he acknowledged his mistakes and accepted responsibility.
The CSIRO has discovered another case of the H5 strain of bird flu in NSW. It brings the total number of cases in Australia to 15. According to the Department of Agriculture, all of the cases have been detected in wild seabirds on the coast. There have been no detected cases at poultry farms. The CSIRO found the latest case in a petrel found at Hawks Nest on the NSW Mid-North Coast. While the virus can be deadly for animals, the risk to humans is generally considered low both in terms of transmission and health impact, chief veterinary officer of NSW Jo Coombe told reporters earlier this month.
Together with AAP.
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I’ve got 1 minute
Argentina are through to a second straight World Cup final after two late goals sealed a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over England. The reigning champions will now face Spain as they seek back-to-back titles.
The loss extends England's wait for a World Cup final, having not reached one since winning the tournament in 1966.
Political banner
Argentina’s celebrations were overshadowed by a political banner referencing the Falklands War. After the match, Lisandro Martínez and Giovani Lo Celso held up a banner on the pitch reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" ("The Falklands are Argentine"), which may have breached FIFA's ban on political messaging.
The South Atlantic islands are controlled by Britain but claimed by Argentina. Argentina invaded them in 1982 before British forces regained control following a short war. Residents of the Falklands overwhelmingly voted to remain a UK territory in a 2013 referendum.
World Cup final
Argentina now take on Spain, the reigning European champions, who beat France 2-0 in the other semi-final earlier this week.
A win would make Argentina the first side since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup. It could also provide a fitting farewell for 39-year-old Messi, who is likely playing in his final tournament.
For Spain, it will be their second World Cup final, having won their only previous appearance in 2010. If they win, they will become the first country to hold both the men’s and women’s World Cup titles at the same time.
Kick-off is at 5am on Monday (AEST) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. You can watch the match live on SBS and SBS On Demand.
Reporting by George Finlayson.
Quick hits
🎧 On today’s TDA podcast, co-founder Sam explains to editor-in-chief Billi the story behind the the men’s World Cup final on Monday. Listen or watch on Apple here, Spotify here, or YouTube here.
🌞 Sign up to TDA Good News here for a wrap-up of all the good news from this week in your inbox on Sunday morning.
I’ve got 2 minutes
U.S. Department of War Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced soldiers aged 30 and over will undergo testosterone deficiency testing. In a video posted to X, Hegseth said “warfighters” can choose to receive “testosterone replacement therapy” if testing recommends it.
The announcement comes amid growing online discourse around the hormone, with a Sydney University study finding young men are being targeted by influencers promoting “unnecessary” testosterone testing.
Testosterone
Testosterone is a sex hormone naturally produced by men and women. In men, it’s responsible for developing reproductive organs and regulates things like sex drive, mood and muscle strength. It’s the primary male sex hormone, while oestrogen and progesterone are the female counterparts, and testosterone levels in men are typically much higher than in women. Testosterone naturally declines with age, which can affect sex drive, energy levels and sleep.
Screenings
This week, Hegseth announced testosterone deficiency testing will be included in the annual military health assessment. The video, posted to X, was captioned “The High-T Department of War.”
Testing will be mandatory for “warfighters” aged 30 and over, while under-30s can opt in. Hegseth did not specify whether female soldiers would be included — women have been able to serve in combat roles in the U.S. military since 2016.
“Low T”
Google Trends shows searches for “Low T”, or low testosterone, have increased by as much as 400% between 2024 and 2026.
U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has repeatedly raised concerns about low testosterone. In 2023, he told the Lex Fridman podcast he uses testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) as an “anti-aging protocol from my doctor.” TRT is recommended only for people diagnosed with low testosterone by a medical professional.
At a press conference in October, Kennedy said: “Today, the average teenager in this country has 50% of the sperm count, 50% of the testosterone of a 65-year-old man.” In response, New York reproductive health specialist Dr Bruce R. Gilbert said the claim “does not hold up to scientific scrutiny.”
“In fact, teens and young adults generally have higher fertility potential and hormone levels than their grandfathers,” he said.
Study
A Sydney University study published in February found “unnecessary” testosterone testing and hormone therapy is being promoted to young men through social media.
Researcher Dr Brooke Nickel said: “Young, healthy men are being told that common experiences like tiredness, stress or changes in libido are signs that something is medically wrong and that testosterone is the solution.”
“[These] health narratives can amplify fear, shame and distrust of mainstream healthcare,” she added.
Reporting by Emily Donohoe.
In partnership with nbn
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Before you assume it’s your connection, it helps to know that a lot of everyday frustration can come down to your in-home setup - from your Wi-Fi router’s age to where it’s placed.
A few simple changes could help things run more smoothly. nbn is here to help you get more from your internet, with practical tips to improve your setup.
Give me some good news
The Australian Museum is returning ancestral remains of the Rapa Nui people to their island, Te Mau Hatu o Rapa Nui or Easter Island.
The remains were taken from the island as part of a German navy expedition in the early 1880s and bought by the museum shortly after. Rapa Nui artist and advocate Vaitiare Pakarati expressed gratitude to the museum “for hearing us, for treating our Tupuna (ancestors) with respect, and for walking this path with us.” She added that the return is “not the ending but it is a healing.”
Reporting by Lucy Tassell.
TDA titbit
Melbourne is the most expensive city in the world to get a pint and pack of smokes, according to Deutsche Bank’s ‘Oasis index’.
Named after the Manchester rock band, who released a song called ‘Cigarettes & Alcohol’ in 1994, the report measures the cost of five beers and two packs of cigarettes.
Melbourne had the highest Oasis index score at $US111.20 ($AU159), with Sydney close behind at $US109.50 ($AU157). The high cost is driven by Australia’s taxes on cigarettes and alcohol which increase twice a year.
These prices are almost double the next highest, Auckland, at $US68.60, which still looks expensive compared to last place Shanghai at $US10.40.
Reporting by Emily Donohoe.
TDA asks
