Morning everyone. Donald Trump announced overnight a five-day pause in attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure alongside bullish talk about doing a deal. Does this mean that he is backing down amid the economic pain of the war, or is there a genuine push for peace? We have reports and analysis.
At home that economic pain is all too real as petrol stations run out of fuel. We take a close look at what (and where) our fuel reserves are: and it’s not where AI seems to think.
Plus: a new appointment to Queensland’s Legal Aid board has been described as a “slap in the face”, Choice picks the best value Easter chocolate around, and what does the “Chinamaxxing” craze mean for the diaspora?
Australia
Flight flak | Pauline Hanson makes much of being different from other politicians and that she is the “honest” outsider. So why has she consistently forgotten to declare gifts from Gina Rinehart, asks Sarah Martin.
Fuel deal | Hundreds of service stations across Australia have run out of fuel, as the federal government inks a deal with Singapore, one of the country’s biggest sources of refined petroleum, to keep supplies of diesel and petrol flowing. The head of the International Energy Agency has warned the Albanese government against sudden changes to corporate taxes, suggesting a proposed 25% export levy on windfall gas profits would spook investors.
Shelling out | Chocolate lovers will pay almost 73% more per 100g for Cadbury hollow Easter eggs this year compared with two years ago, according to Choice, as shrinkflation hits the market.
Exclusive | The next generation of Australian workers will cop a $185,000 bill over their lifetimes if the country does not act more urgently to address the climate crisis, according to new modelling by a team of economists at Deloitte.
‘Unacceptable’ | A barrister who acted for Mulrunji Doomadgee’s family says it is “unacceptable” for a former police officer criticised for his conduct in investigating the 2004 death in custody to serve on Queensland’s Legal Aid board.
World
Pause for thought | Donald Trump has extended by five days his deadline to “hit and obliterate” Iran’s power stations and energy infrastructure if Tehran does not allow shipping to move freely through the strait of Hormuz, claiming that the US and Iran have held “very good and productive conversations” on an end to the war. Stock markets surged back up and the price of oil dropped on the news but Israel says it will continue hitting its targets. Iranians fear the announcement just delays the terror of the bombing for a few days, and we have a podcast asking what next for Trump’s strategy? Follow developments live.
Jews ‘besieged’ | An arson attack on four ambulances run by a Jewish charity in the London suburb of Golders Green has left the community feeling besieged.
Food cost | The number of countries falling into critical food insecurity could almost triple to 24 if global temperatures increase by 2C, research has shown.
Bullshit detector | Workers who are impressed by corporate “bullshit” may be least equipped to make effective decisions, according to a new study.
Radvinsky death | Leonid Radvinsky, the billionaire owner of OnlyFans, has died of cancer at the age of 43, the company announced.
Full Story
Inside One Nation’s orange wave in SA and what it means for Australia
Tory Shepherd and Dan Jervis-Bardy talk to Nour Haydar about whether the South Australian election result will lead to more culture wars and anti-migrant rhetoric across politics.
In-depth
Despite what AI is telling people, Australia does not have a huge oil stockpile in the US. Catie McLeod explains what our fuel reserve actually is, where it is, and how much we have: about three or four weeks’ worth of supply.
Not the news
Disillusionment with the west, an obsession with wellness and historic exoticisation of the east have all laid the foundations for the TikTok craze of “Chinamaxxing”. But, writes Isabelle Lee, people of Chinese heritage are ambivalent about the trend.
Sport
NFL | Seattle Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba has become the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history with a four-year, $US168.6m contract extension that includes $120m guaranteed.
Cricket | Brendon McCullum and Rob Key have been backed to lead England’s response to the Ashes debacle with cricket board chiefs insisting that it is the right decision.
Football | Cristian Romero has promised to put 200% into Tottenham’s seven remaining “finals” to avoid a seismic Premier League exit.
Media roundup
The City of Sydney council has backed a plan to revitalise the city’s dying night-time economy, the Telegraph claims. A column in the Australian argues a tsunami is about to hit the Melbourne property market as luxury buyers dry up. One Nation supporters are targeting more gains after their South Australian election breakthrough, the Advertiser reports. The Tasmanian government has claimed that the teachers’ strike is just a “political plot”, the Mercury reports.
What’s happening today
Education | Teachers in Victoria and Tasmania on strike.
Diplomacy | EU president and trade commissioner meet Anthony Albanese in Canberra and address parliament.
Canberra | Tony Burke speaks at the ANU Securing Our Future national security conference.
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
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