Annual infaltion slows to 3.6% from 4.1%, Treasurer Jim Chalmers is cautious ahead of federal budget, Crown Sydeny given the green light to operate. Plus the price of gold is soaring.

A new drug has been added to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme which can help stop breast cancer from spreading. Abemaciclib works by blocking specific overactive proteins which signal cancer cells to grow. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. Reportedly, an average of 57 cases are diagnosed every day. “This particular medication for the purpose it’s approved and the type of breast cancer it’s approved, we estimate will be suitable for up to 1,800 Australian patients every year,” Peter MacCallum Centre Associate Professor Shom Goel told Sky News Australia.

Joe Biden and Donald Trump are already discussing the possibility of a debate as polls suggest Biden is trailing behind his predecessor in all seven battleground states. When questioned about it on the Howard Stern Show this week, Biden said “I am, somewhere, I don’t know when, but I’m happy to debate him”. Donald Trump reacted to the offer from Biden, saying he was “ready”. “Just tell me where – we’ll do it at the White House, that will be very comfortable, actually,” he said. A new Gallup poll shows Biden is in a tough position historically right now, with the company revealing the President stands in a “weaker position than any prior incumbent”.

S&P Global Ratings' Anthony Walker says as the economy slows, there will be a “rise” in unemployment. Mr Walker told Sky News Australia that the government’s tax take will “start to weaken”. The looming federal budget will need to strike the right balance between providing cost of living relief and not loading up Australian consumers and businesses with too much extra cash. Excess cash could trigger a spending spree in the September quarter. From a fiscal perspective, Australia’s credit rating remains AAA.

S&P Global Ratings' Anthony Walker says as the economy slows, there will be a “rise” in unemployment. Mr Walker told Sky News Australia that the government’s tax take will “start to weaken”. The looming federal budget will need to strike the right balance between providing cost of living relief and not loading up Australian consumers and businesses with too much extra cash. Excess cash could trigger a spending spree in the September quarter. From a fiscal perspective, Australia’s credit rating remains AAA.

Anti-Israel protesters calling for “intifada” at a California university were unable to define what the term meant when questioned by a political commentator. In a video Cam Higby asked them, “you guys are shouting for intifada? Do you know what an intifada is?”, before being met with silence. “Here’s how you deal with students – this is what we should be doing at Sydney Uni,” said Sky News host Rowan Dean. “They didn’t even know what intifada was yet they’re all doing the protest. “This is what’s happening folks, this is what we’ve got to put a stop to.”

Sky News host Rita Panahi has condemned Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant over her push to ban footage of an alleged terror attack from a Wakeley church not just for Australia, but the world. “As Elon Musk explained, 'our concern is that if any country is allowed to censor content for all countries, which is what the Australian eSafety Commissar is demanding, then what is to stop any country from controlling the entire internet?'," Ms Panahi said. "And he is one hundred per cent right. Do we really want some bureaucrat from some corrupt third world nation or Canberra determining what is available on the internet? “The Albanese government should be condemned for using an alleged terrorist incident to limit what content Australians can access. “But instead of condemnation it is winning bouquets from the bulk of the Australian media which seems to be gagging for greater censorship no matter how unreasonable.”

Sky News host Rita Panahi has condemned Australian eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant over her push to ban footage of an alleged terror attack from a Wakeley church not just for Australia, but the world. “As Elon Musk explained, 'our concern is that if any country is allowed to censor content for all countries, which is what the Australian eSafety Commissar is demanding, then what is to stop any country from controlling the entire internet?'," Ms Panahi said. "And he is one hundred per cent right. Do we really want some bureaucrat from some corrupt third world nation or Canberra determining what is available on the internet? “The Albanese government should be condemned for using an alleged terrorist incident to limit what content Australians can access. “But instead of condemnation it is winning bouquets from the bulk of the Australian media which seems to be gagging for greater censorship no matter how unreasonable.”

Israeli author and activist Noa Tishby says it is a “tough time” for the Jewish community amid pro-Palestine protests in the West. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has commented on pro-Palestine protests on university campuses in the United States, saying, ‘We’ve seen in history that anti-Semitic attacks were always preceded by vilification and slander.’ A Jewish professor at Columbia University in the United States was barred from entering the campus. The university has cancelled in-person classes due to rising tensions over pro-Palestinian demonstrations. “It’s a tough time for the Jewish community, for the Israeli community, for the pro-Israeli community – it’s a tough time to be a Jew,” Ms Tishby told Sky News Australia. “However, we need to look at what’s happening now through the prism of 5,000 years of Jewish existence, and we need to look at it through the prism of every few generations … somebody comes out to get us. “Throughout history, not only did the Jewish community survive this, we thrived [in] it. “So, if I was betting, I would not short the Jews.”

Israeli author and activist Noa Tishby says it is a “tough time” for the Jewish community amid pro-Palestine protests in the West. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has commented on pro-Palestine protests on university campuses in the United States, saying, ‘We’ve seen in history that anti-Semitic attacks were always preceded by vilification and slander.’ A Jewish professor at Columbia University in the United States was barred from entering the campus. The university has cancelled in-person classes due to rising tensions over pro-Palestinian demonstrations. “It’s a tough time for the Jewish community, for the Israeli community, for the pro-Israeli community – it’s a tough time to be a Jew,” Ms Tishby told Sky News Australia. “However, we need to look at what’s happening now through the prism of 5,000 years of Jewish existence, and we need to look at it through the prism of every few generations … somebody comes out to get us. “Throughout history, not only did the Jewish community survive this, we thrived [in] it. “So, if I was betting, I would not short the Jews.”

The Australian Associate Editor Graham Lloyd says Jim Chalmers has been “keen” to move the conversation “past inflation”. Higher-than-expected inflation figures could see the Reserve Bank delay any interest rate cuts. Annual inflation dipped to 3.6 per cent in the year to March. It is down from 4.1 per cent in the 12 months to December. Mr Lloyd told Sky News Australia that Treasurer Jim Chalmers moving past inflation is to give himself “a bit of room on the budget”.

Shadow Infrastructure Minister Bridget McKenzie has called out the Albanese government for claiming “more funding” was going into Western Sydney infrastructure projects when “they’re being cut”. According to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics this week, inflation fell to 3.6 per cent in the year to March, which is down from 4.1 per cent in the 12 months to December. “I am arguing that you should be spending it on productivity-enhancing infrastructure that’s also dealing with the migration disaster that you’ve got,” Ms McKenzie told Sky News Australia. “We saw an embarrassing thing from the Labor government senior Cabinet ministers this week in Western Sydney with their talking points out of PMO or Catherine King’s office, saying more funding was going into infrastructure projects in Western Sydney when they’re being cut. “The only new projects are stadiums for premiers and the Suburban Rail Link.”

Shadow Infrastructure Minister Bridget McKenzie has slammed the Albanese government for the “absolutely homegrown” inflation figures which they are “responsible” for. According to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics this week, inflation fell to 3.6 per cent in the year to March, which is down from 4.1 per cent in the 12 months to December. “I think what we’ve seen under this infrastructure prime minister is a $25 billion cut to critical infrastructure projects in our congested cities and our regional centres,” Ms McKenzie told Sky News Australia. “That’s simply not good enough when you’re wanting a more productive and more competitive economy. “We know, from economists’ commentary over the last week, that inflation isn’t just sticky, it is absolutely homegrown, and the fiscal policy settings of this government are responsible for that.”

Shadow Infrastructure Minister Bridget McKenzie has slammed the Albanese government for the “absolutely homegrown” inflation figures which they are “responsible” for. According to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics this week, inflation fell to 3.6 per cent in the year to March, which is down from 4.1 per cent in the 12 months to December. “I think what we’ve seen under this infrastructure prime minister is a $25 billion cut to critical infrastructure projects in our congested cities and our regional centres,” Ms McKenzie told Sky News Australia. “That’s simply not good enough when you’re wanting a more productive and more competitive economy. “We know, from economists’ commentary over the last week, that inflation isn’t just sticky, it is absolutely homegrown, and the fiscal policy settings of this government are responsible for that.”

There are calls for the Miles government to tackle issues affecting health workers. These calls are coming from the Queensland branch of the Australian Medical Association. Staff claim they are suffering from burnout and are concerned about an increase in violent threats. AMA Queensland is calling for incentives to attract and retain workers. They are also asking for incentives to ensure workforce support and relief.

TikTok is warning Australia a ban similar to what is being considered in the US will destroy many businesses and damage the economy. President Joe Biden has signed a bill that will lead to a nationwide ban on the social media platform unless its Chinese-owned parent company sells it. There are concerns a ban would harm businesses as many use the app for marketing purposes. TikTok is currently banned from Australian government devices. The company claims extending it to public devices could cost the economy billions.

Australia will send a further $100 million worth of aid to Ukraine. $50 million will go towards military assistance, while another $50 million will be used for short-range air defence systems. Australia will also assist in the delivery of air-to-ground precision munitions. Defence Minister Richard Marles announced the package while visiting the country. He states Australia will continue to stand with Ukraine. “We understand that this will be an enduring conflict, and we will be contributing more in the future because we are determined to stand side-by-side with Ukraine for as long as it takes Ukraine to prevail,” he said. This package takes the Australian military’s assistance for Ukraine to $880 million since Russia invaded in 2022.

Australian stargazers will be able to spot a rare comet if they look to the night sky in the weeks ahead. The so-called ‘Devil’s Comet’ is making its first appearance in 71 years. The comet is around 34 kilometres in diameter and is essentially made up of ice, rock, space dust and debris. “Over the coming weeks, it's going to gradually get higher and higher in the sky every single evening," says UNSIQ Professor of Astrophysics Jonti Horner. “It’s going to get a little bit fainter, but it is actually going to get a little bit easier to spot because the moon will get out of the way.”

Nearly 900,000 Australians are now receiving either JobSeeker or Youth Allowance payments. Government data reveals that 16,000 people moved onto welfare payments in March. This amounted to 66,000 people since September. It’s the largest monthly increase since the Albanese government was elected in 2022. There are concerns jobless welfare numbers will rise further this year after flat economic growth and a weak labour market.

Voting has taken place in the second stage of India’s general election. The election had lower voter turnout than expected. Voters casted their ballots as part of seven rounds of staggered polls. India's current Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a third straight term on the back of his economic record, strong policies, and personal popularity. His opponent Rahul Gandhi has attacked the Prime Minister, calling him a threat to democracy.