Good morning, it's Wednesday, April 27. Here's what you need to get going today.
One thing to know right now: New flashpoint in Moldova
Here's the lowdown:
- Ukraine has accused Russia of trying to drag neighbouring Moldova's breakaway region of Transdniestria into its war after authorities in the Moscow-backed region said they had been targeted by a series of attacks
- Authorities in Transdniestria, a sliver of land bordering southwestern Ukraine, said explosions had damaged two radio masts that broadcast in Russian and that one of its military units had been attacked
- It provided few details, but blamed Ukraine, raising its "terrorist" threat level to red and introducing checkpoints around its towns
And in other Ukraine news overnight:
- Vladimir Putin has agreed 'in principle' to evacuate civilians from the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, allowing UN and Red Cross involvement after UN chief Antonio Guterres met the Russian leader overnight. The UN says follow-on discussions will now be held with the Russian defence ministry
- Russia's Gazprom will suspend gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria after asking for nations to pay in roubles. Europe depends on Russia for about 40 per cent of its natural gas, with most transported by pipeline
- In a major U-turn, Germany has announced it will provide Ukraine with heavy weapons, including 50 anti-aircraft tanks, to defend itself against Russian attacks. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been reluctant to supply Ukraine with weapons, fearing it could trigger a military confrontation between NATO and Russia
One thing you’ll be hearing about today: Inflation
Yes, the latest figures are out from the ABS today (11:30am if you're keen to know when). Here's what you should know before then:
- Economists expect inflation will rise from 3.5 per cent to about 5 per cent. What does that do? It'd put more pressure on the Reserve Bank to raise interest rates
- And that inflation level is something we haven't seen for a while, here's what economist Peter Martin has said:
- Here's what that looks like as a graph (there was a blip in 2000 thanks to GST coming in, but the rates have been pretty low for a long time):
News while you snoozed
Let's get you up to speed.
- Novak Djokovic *can* play at Wimbledon and defend his title this year, after organisers confirmed COVID vaccination for players won't be mandatory. Russian and Belarus players, including world number two Daniil Medvedev, will not be allowed to compete because of the invasion of Ukraine
- US Vice-President Kamala Harris has tested positive for COVID but the White House said she had "exhibited no symptoms". Neither President Joe Biden nor first lady Jill Biden are considered a "close contact"
The news Australia is searching for
- Josh Frydenberg: That's the news from last night that Guide Dogs Victoria has stood down chief executive Karen Hayes pending an independent investigation into her political endorsement of the treasurer
- Ja Morant: The Memphis Grizzlies NBA player gave his "most improved player" award to breakout second-year guard and teammate Desmond Bane (he'd come in fifth for the award) — but he was having none of it:
One more thing: Bodycam footage show moments after fatal Rust shooting
Alec Baldwin's initial questioning by police has been released as part of an investigation into the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
A gun Baldwin was holding fired a live round that struck her in the chest and lodged in the shoulder of film director Joel Souza, who survived the gunshot wound.
Baldwin asks police on the tape if it's a rock or bullet in the director's shoulder:
That's it for now
We'll be back later on with more.
ABC/wires
