Morning Mail: Trump says US extending Iran ceasefire, Coalition’s byelection blitz, The Deb defies doom
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Morning everyone. Donald Trump has said that the US is extending the ceasefire with Iran at Pakistan’s request while he waits for a unified proposal from Iran, as Tucker Carlson meanwhile apologises for misleading his viewers into voting for the US president.
Locally, the Coalition has launched a blitz of negative attack ads against One Nation in an effort to turn the Farrer byelection campaign, Australia is being urged to do more to protect Chinese students from political repression back home, and why Rebel Wilson’s The Deb isn’t that bad, despite tanking at the box office.
Australia
Campaign blitz | The Coalition has launched a negative ads campaign against One Nation ahead of the Farrer byelection, with the Liberals setting up a Facebook page and website accusing the rightwing party of having “no solutions”. Despite this, the Liberals and Nationals will preference One Nation ahead of the independent candidate Michelle Milthorpe in the 9 May byelection.
Timor-Leste questions | Timor-Leste’s opposition has questioned how foreign investors in a proposed cryptocurrency resort obtained prime beachfront real estate in the country’s capital, and has called on the president to explain why he issued a diplomatic passport to a Chinese businessman involved in the project.
Exclusive | Australia has been urged to take stronger action to protect Chinese students from political repression on their return home after a Chinese student was allegedly jailed for six years for joining pro-democracy protests during his time here.
NDIS crackdown | National disability insurance scheme service providers will be required to undergo mandatory character checks and eligibility rules will be tightened further for children under 18 as Labor moves to curb growth in the $50bn program.
Voter target | A gun users’ group targeting marginal Labor seats in next year’s New South Wales election plans to campaign for candidates who oppose the government’s firearm laws enacted after the Bondi terror attack.
World
Lucky landing | A couple in California have described as “unbelievable” the moment at the weekend when a hot-air balloon with 13 people in the basket landed in their back yard.
Turning point USA? | Tucker Carlson has said he is “tormented” by his support of Trump and has apologised for misleading supporters in a mea culpa in which the podcaster called for “a moment to wrestle with our own consciences”.
No, prime minister | The senior UK Foreign Office civil servant sacked by Keir Starmer over his handling of Peter Mandelson’s vetting process for the job of ambassador to Washington has told MPs that has said he was subject to “constant pressure” to get the former Labour minister into the job. Here’s how Olly Robbins disagrees with the British PM over details of the scandal.
‘Not enforceable’ | Executives from three social media companies have denied their platforms are inherently addictive to children and young people in a combative appearance before UK MPs.
Full Story
How bad is the Australian economy going to get?
Political editor Tom McIlroy and business editor Jonathan Barrett join Nour Haydar to discuss how hard Australians are being hit by the cost of living, and if help is on the way.
In-depth
Being an Uber driver can be a precarious business. Michael, who was removed from the platform after being allegedly assaulted by a passenger, tells Luca Ittimani how drivers desperate to keep their jobs are taking on risks and have little recourse to appeal the platform’s automated systems.
Not the news
The court proceedings linked to the making of Rebel Wilson’s The Deb are making headlines. But although the film itself has flopped, Luke Buckmaster reckons it deserves a respectful place in the pantheon of Australian musicals.
Sport
Football | The boss of football’s Australian Professional Leagues wants the A-Leagues to eclipse cricket’s Big Bash and basketball – but his first job has to be to reverse the decline in paying punters.
Tennis | Jannik Sinner described Carlos Alcaraz’s withdrawal from the Madrid Open as “tough to swallow” and believes the absence of his greatest rival will make a big difference as he tries to win a record fifth straight Masters title.
The ABC has reported that a fourth man has been charged over the alleged kidnapping murder of Sydney man Chris Baghsarian.One Nation’s campaign committee for Victoria’s Nepean byelections has collapsed in acrimony over the Sean Black scandal, according to the Age. Western Australia is introducing more AI traffic cameras, with 300 drivers a day already being caught out for someone in their car not wearing a seatbelt correctly, WAtoday reports.
What’s happening today
Sydney | A solidarity protest at 8.30am over NSW anti-protest laws and arrests at Downing Centre local court.
Canberra | Health minister Mark Butler is at the National Press Club at 11.30am.
Society | The Fathering Project releases its State of the World’s Fathers report in Sydney.
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