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.
Australia
Blame game | Peter Dutton has blamed poor polling during 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 the five key takeaways from 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 Touma writes about how they are engaging with politics in new ways, in new media.
Tariff trouble | The Treasury may have underestimated the threat posed by Donald Trump’s trade war after the IMF slashed its outlook for 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 IMF also warned the levies were putting the global financial system under pressure as stocks continued to slump and gold 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 meet key constituents and groups despite calling for “conversation” on the issue.
Housing ‘con’ | Australians would have to wait 70 years for 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 is helping to ease homelessness in regional Victoria.
World
Pope Francis | The funeral of Pope Francis will 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 fondly in his home country of Argentina and by Catholics in Gaza. Cardinals are also flocking to Rome for the conclave to choose a successor, but will it produce an anti-Francis pope?
Kashmir terror | At least 28 tourists have been killed after 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 officials for orchestrating leaks. Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, has announced a big shake-up of his department which will see missions closed and jobs cut. Follow events in Washington here.
Putin position | The Kremlin says it is open to direct talks with Ukraine but has declined to back Kyiv’s proposal to extend the Easter ceasefire.
Gore attack | Former vice-president Al Gore compared the Trump administration with Nazi Germany, in scathing comments about the president’s use of power. Larry David made a Trump-related Nazi gag and George Clooney hit back at criticism by the US president.
Full Story
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 Haydar about 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.
In-depth
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 finds many locals are disillusioned. “Every time we vote for these people and nothing’s really getting done,” one says. “We’re still suffering.”
Not the news
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 hears about some unexpected memories from participants such as 95-year-old Don Culley, pictured.
Sport
Tennis | World No 6 player Jack Draper has backed his friend Jannik Sinner to come back strongly from 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 Villa this morning in another crunch game at the top of the Premier League.
Media roundup
Peter Dutton accuses Labor of imposing an extra $22.5bn in power costs on households in what the Australian calls a fightback against nuclear scare stories. Planning changes mean Batemans Bay could be the “next Gold Coast”, the Sydney Morning Herald claims. A teenager has entered the record books by landing an 85kg tuna off the coast of Tasmania, the Mercury reports.
What’s happening today
Politics | Treasurer Jim Chalmers debates the economy with his opposition counterpart, Angus Taylor.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
