It’s all happening this morning! All eyes are on the Trump indictment – he has pleaded not guilty and left the New York courthouse, facing 34 charges relating to an alleged “catch and kill” scheme to cover up negative stories during the 2016 election campaign.
Later today, Liberals will gather for a party room meeting on the Indigenous voice, with several members calling for a conscience vote as the party considers whether to officially oppose, or support, the referendum.
In Page-Sixier developments, Rupert Murdoch may have called off his engagement after just two weeks. But let’s get back to the real news, of which there is plenty.
Australia
TikTok ban | The ABC is reviewing its use of the Chinese-owned social media app following the federal government’s ban of it on government-issued devices. You can read more about what that ban means here, and we have analysis that digs into international research into the dangers the site’s algorithm poses to children.
No campaign | The race discrimination commissioner has joined a wave of criticism prompted by Friday’s against the voice event in Tamworth, saying controversial comments made at the meeting “reinforce racist stereotypes and inflict harm”.
High-polluting utes | A Climate Council report says carmakers are funnelling their least efficient utes to Australia due to a lack of fuel-efficiency standards – driving calls for law reform.
Rental crisis | Rents have increased by 2.5% nationally in the latest quarter, with tenants on average forking out an additional $2,727 in the past year. As stubbornly high prices and record low supply continue to bite, Townsville is pushing a build-to-rent scheme, but experts are dubious it’ll work.
Climate risk report | A former defence force chief has called on the government to release its assessment of the security threats posed by the climate crisis, amid claims it has been sitting on the report since late last year.
World
Trump indictment | At a Manhattan courtroom earlier, former US president Donald Trump officially entered a plea of not guilty to charges of falsifying business records. You can follow the latest updates from our US team here.
Finland joins Nato | The Nordic country formally became the 31st member of the transatlantic defensive alliance after a fast-tracked joining process amid the invasion of Ukraine.
JP Morgan warning | The boss of America’s biggest bank says financial turmoil that led to the downfall of Silicon Valley Bank in the US and Credit Suisse in Europe is not yet over and its effects will be felt for years.
Islamic State | The US says a strike in Syria has killed senior leader Khalid Aydd Ahmad al-Jabouri, said to have been responsible for planning IS attacks in Europe.
Brexit fallout | Sweden has expelled 1,100 British nationals since the big split, more than any other country in the EU, according to official European Commission statistics.
Full Story
Cotton Capital: the bee and the ship – examining the Guardian’s links to slavery
Maya Wolfe-Robinson, the editor of Cotton Capital, explores the revelations that the Guardian’s founding editor, John Edward Taylor, and at least nine of his 11 backers had links to slavery, principally through the textile industry.
In today’s episode, the first in a six-part series, she speaks to historians and researchers – Dr Cassandra Gooptar, Dr Matthew Stallard, Prof David Olusoga, Washington Alcott and Prof Gurminder Bhambra – about the difficulties involved in unearthing this history, and its place in a wider picture of the British empire.
In-depth
Transport experts believe post-pandemic work habits have finally stabilised and that the return to the office is unlikely to progress any further. In what looks to be the new work-from-home normal, the average Australian worker spends 27% or more of their working hours at home.
It’s a figure that’s broadly higher in capital cities, and that reflects an occupation divide favouring office workers – particularly professionals and managers – over essential workers.
Not the news
They’ve been portrayed as toothless, wooden-legged cut-throats. But as Stuart Jeffries writes, a new exhibition in Cornwall shows there were queer pirates, female pirates and pirates of colour – and they all got a vote (and an equal share of the booze).
The world of sport
Golf | The DP World Tour has won its landmark arbitration case against the rebel LIV circuit.
Tiger Woods | The mainstay in the sport, and five-time champion at Augusta National, has not given up hope of competing at age of 47 despite major physical limitations.
Premier League | Can Chelsea put their managerial turbulence aside for the visit of Liverpool? Find out in real time over on our live blog.
Looking back the summer of ’63 | The year “sexual intercourse began”, as Philip Larkin said – and the year that gave us one-day cricket.
Media roundup
A Newspoll by the Australian suggests a majority of states would back the voice referendum with a yes vote – with Queensland the least in favour, and South Australia the most. According to the Fin, the Albanese government has had to broker eight seperate deals with states and territories to deliver energy price relief in its upcoming budget. And the Daily Telegraph has the data on Australia’s top 100 super funds, which have a collective value of more than $12bn.
What’s happening today
National Press Club | Today’s address will be given by RBA governor Philip Lowe, after the Reserve Bank yesterday paused its record run of interest rate hikes – though at Peter Hannam’s new analysis notes, relief may only be temporary.
National Biosecurity Forum | The one-day event will discuss challenges, opportunities and innovative approaches for protecting Australia’s biosecurity system.
Energy transition | A public hearing will address Australia’s transition to a green superpower.
Jacinda Ardern | In New Zealand, the country’s outgoing PM will give her valedictory speech.
(By the way, looks like it’s going to be a wet old Easter weekend, so pack your umbrellas, or just stay home.)
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day – with plenty more on the Guardian’s Puzzles app for iOS and Android. Until tomorrow.
