Morning everyone. The impact of Donald Trump’s economic wrecking ball will cost Australia $13bn in annual output, the IMF has warned, which has rung another alarm bell for the global financial system.
Plus we bring you the key takeaways from last night’s mostly uninspiring third leaders’ debate. Overseas, the pope’s funeral is set for Saturday, militants kill 28 tourists in Kashmir, and Al Gore hits out at the White House.
Blame game |Peter Dutton hasblamed poor pollingduring the election campaign on Labor attack ads rather than his own performance. Last night’s debate was briefly enlivened when the leaders were asked to name the other’s biggest lie. Here are thefive key takeawaysfrom the event, one of which being “do we really need another one on Sunday?” And if the leaders are wondering how to reach younger voters,Rafqa Toumawrites about how they are engaging with politics in new ways, in new media.
Tariff trouble |TheTreasury may have underestimated the threat posed by Donald Trump’s trade war after the IMFslashed its outlookfor Australia’s economic growth in 2025. In a report that could mean federal budget downgrades, it said real GDP growth will drop to 1.6%, from 2.1%. The IMFalso warnedthe levies were putting the global financial system under pressure as stocks continued to slump andgold soared.
Nuke no-show |Darren Chester, the Nationals MP for Victoria’s Gippsland region earmarked for a nuclear reactor by Peter Dutton,has failed to meetkey constituents and groups despite calling for “conversation” on the issue.
Housing ‘con’ |Australians would haveto wait 70 yearsfor affordable housing if property values follow the “sustainable growth” path advocated by the two major parties. A leading economist calls the claims a “con”.
‘We’ve been blessed’ |A scheme using portable two-bedroom apartments dropped into back yards ishelping to ease homelessnessin regional Victoria.
Pope Francis |The funeral of Pope Franciswill be held on Saturday(early evening, eastern Australian time) at St Peter’s Square. A host of world leaders and royals including Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Donald Trump and the Prince of Wales have confirmed their attendance. Francis has been remembered fondlyin his home country of Argentinaand byCatholics in Gaza. Cardinals are also flocking to Rome for the conclave to choose a successor, but will it producean anti-Francis pope?
Kashmir terror |At least 28 touristshave been killedafter suspected militants opened fire at a popular local tourist destination in Indian-administered Kashmir in the midst of a visit to the country by the US vice-president, JD Vance.
Signal corps |The embattled US defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has defended his most recent use of the Signal app to discuss sensitive military operations,blaming fired Pentagon officialsfor orchestrating leaks. Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, hasannounced a big shake-upof his department which will see missions closed and jobs cut. Follow events in Washingtonhere.
Putin position |The Kremlin says it is open todirect talks with Ukrainebut has declined to back Kyiv’s proposal to extend the Easter ceasefire.
Gore attack |Former vice-president Al Gore compared the Trump administrationwith Nazi Germany, in scathing comments about the president’s use of power. Larry David madea Trump-related Nazi gagandGeorge Clooneyhit back at criticism by the US president.
Bearing witness in Gaza: an Australian doctor returns
British-Australian doctor Mohammed Mustafa, who recently returned from working at the last fully functioning hospital in Gaza,speaks to Nour Haydarabout what he witnessed, why he would not hesitate to go back into the centre of a humanitarian crisis and his message to the political leaders of Australia.
With the Indigenous vote potentially crucial in rural seats such as Lingiari, the electoral commission is stepping up efforts to increase access in remote areas starting yesterday in Pirlangimpi in the Tiwi Islands.But Ella Archibald-Binge findsmany locals are disillusioned. “Every time we vote for these people and nothing’s really getting done,” one says. “We’re still suffering.”
Postcards, Polaroids, and love letters to sweethearts and the natural world are among the forgotten treasures locked away for 25 years but now revealed again with the unlocking of millennium time capsules from the Sunshine Coast to the Northern Rivers and Victoria.Frankie Adkins hearsabout some unexpected memories from participants such as 95-year-old Don Culley, pictured.
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Tennis |World No 6 player Jack Draper has backed his friend Jannik Sinner tocome back stronglyfrom his three-month doping ban and said the Italian is “a good human being” and not deserving of the hate directed towards him.
Golf |Donald Trump might be unpopular with Hollywood celebrities but he received a boost overnight when golf’s ruling body said it“would love”to stage the Open again at Turnberry, a club he owns.
Football |Manchester City take on Aston Villathis morningin another crunch game at the top of the Premier League.
Peter Dutton accuses Labor of imposingan extra $22.5bnin power costs on households in what theAustraliancalls a fightback against nuclear scare stories. Planning changes mean Batemans Bay could be the“next Gold Coast”, theSydney Morning Heraldclaims. A teenager has entered the record books bylanding an 85kg tunaoff the coast of Tasmania, theMercuryreports.
Politics |Treasurer Jim Chalmers debates the economy with his opposition counterpart, Angus Taylor.
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And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
Quick crossword
Cryptic crossword