Morning everyone. Donald Trump is expected to reveal in the next hour which tariffs he is going to place on imports from Australia and other countries in his much-waited “liberation day” announcement. We have full coverage on what it means for the economy and the world.
We also have the latest on concern about electioneering on the app Rednote, the threat of massive flooding in northern New South Wales, and can US border guards really confiscate your phone?
Australia
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Flood warning | Hundreds of emergency workers have been deployed in northern New South Wales as the impact of heavy rain and flooding in Queensland moves south. The risk of flooding could last for weeks, forecasters warned, and the state premier said recovery could take years.
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Exclusive | Disinformation experts have accused migration agents of sharing false information about Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton on the Chinese social media app Rednote to win clients, including claims Australia has turned “wicked” and is actively targeting Chinese people.
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Border force | Amid reports of visitors to the US being asked to surrender their phones for checking at airports, we have tried to answer a few key questions for travellers and their rights. It comes as the musician Neil Young said he could be banned from returning to the States after his European tour this year because of his criticism of Donald Trump.
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Victoria cuts | The Victorian magistrates court is considering cutting more than a quarter of its backroom staff despite the prospect of its workload increasing as the Allan government presses ahead with “tough on crime” policies.
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‘Landlord’s market’ | Rents are growing at the slowest rate in four years thanks in part to increased supply, a new report shows, but are still at record highs and it’s still a “landlord’s market”.
World
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Tariff time | As the world awaits Donald Trump’s tariff announcement, the Australian government has not ruled out taking Washington to the World Trade Organization if it is targeted in the “liberation day” regime to be imposed this morning. The UK government says it is prepared for “all eventualities”, we have an explainer on how the European Union might respond, and one more generally looking at tariffs and why they matter. Follow developments live.
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‘Loser’ Musk | Democrats were celebrating after the election for a vacant Wisconsin supreme court seat turned into a repudiation of Elon Musk, who spent millions on the Republican candidate but was branded a loser by gleeful opponents. In a bad day for the tycoon, Tesla said sales fell 13% worldwide in March.
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Gaza | Israel’s defence minister has said the country intends to “seize large areas” of the Gaza Strip amid a major expansion of aerial and ground operations in the besieged Palestinian territory. A doctor who examined the bodies of some of the 15 paramedics and rescue workers shot dead by Israeli forces has said there is evidence of execution-style killing.
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Dementia hope | Researchers who tracked cases of dementia in Welsh adults have uncovered the strongest evidence yet that the shingles vaccination reduces the risk of developing the devastating brain disease.
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Myanmar miracle | A man has been pulled alive from the rubble of a hotel in Myanmar, five days after the country’s worst earthquake in a century.
Full Story
Is Dutton’s gas plan just hot air?
The climate and environment editor, Adam Morton, tells Reged Ahmad how Peter Dutton’s plan to bring down gas prices might work and what it means for climate change.
Full Story
Is Dutton’s gas plan just hot air?
In-depth
We continue our election coverage by looking at how Peter Dutton could find it tricky to keep the pro-coal Nationals onside if he has to seek support from teal independents in the event of a hung parliament. The economic outlook looms large over the election and our columnist Greg Jericho thinks it very likely that falling inflation means more interest rates relief is on its way. And the former Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner Mick Gooda says the leaders of the major parties have lost the courage to pursue meaningful change after the defeat of the voice referendum.
Not the news
Kai Sakakibara was an Olympic hopeful in BMX racing when he suffered a catastrophic crash while competing in Bathurst, leaving him with a life-changing brain injury. Kieran Pender visited him to talk about his years of rehab, coming to terms with his injuries, and how he is now hoping to race for Australia in the 2028 Paralympics.
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Sport
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Football | Ange Postecoglou admits that there are “outstanding candidates” who could take his job if his Spurs team does not improve with a tough test away at Chelsea tomorrow. There are six Premier League matches this morning with the Merseyside derby and Newcastle v Brentford among the highlights. Follow the action live.
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Basketball | The Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokić registered only the third 60-point triple-double in NBA history but still saw his team suffer a 140-139 double-overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
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Cricket | Australian all-rounder Cameron Green heads the list of overseas talent recruited by English counties before the start of the championship season tomorrow.
Catholic schools have said the “ideological” national curriculum should be abolished to stop the slide in academic performance by boys, the Australian reports. Record cases of flu in Victoria bode ill for the winter months, the Age reports. The Telegraph offers a sneak peek inside the new Powerhouse Museum in Parramatta.
What’s happening today
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Economy | The ABS releases figures for international trade and job vacancies, and there are also stats on new vehicle sales.
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Media | ABC chair Kim Williams speaks at the Melbourne Press Club.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.