AM

Energy bill relief, increased rent assistance and tax cuts for all - it's a Federal Budget aimed at easing cost-of-living pressures but the big question for economists is whether it's going to help the Reserve Bank curb inflation?

For the first time in nearly 20 years, a federal government will claim a back-to-back surplus. The Treasurer is forecast a surplus for the current financial year of close to ten billion dollars.

A gloomy economic outlook is set to dominate tomorrow's federal budget, as the Albanese government attempts to balance cost-of-living relief with the need to keep inflation down.

The Federal Government faces a backlash from its own backbench over it's plan for more investment in gas.

As the federal government is releasing its future Gas strategy

Besieged Palestinians cut off from aid as Israel's seizes the main border crossing into Gaza.

Hamas accepts a cease-fire proposal from Israel to halt fighting in Gaza but can it prevent the planned assault on Rafah where more than half of Gaza’s population, is sheltering?

The online radicalisation of vulnerable teens back in the spotlight in the wake of the police shooting of a 16 year old in WA.

A Perth family is pleading for help in the search for two Australians missing in Mexico.

Nearly a billion dollars to stop violence against women - what do frontline services think of the government's plan?

The Bright Side shines a light on stories of hope and problem-solving people around Australia.

National Cabinet set to meet to address rising rates of domestic violence tearing at the nation's social fabric.

The Government takes a billion dollar gamble to develop the world's first commercially viable quantum computer network.

As Australians rally against violence towards women, the Prime Minister calls a National Cabinet meeting to discuss what can be done.

A New York appeals court overturns Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein's conviction for sex crimes, setting up a re-trial of the case.

The Bright Side shines a light on stories of hope and problem-solving people around Australia.

This ANZAC Day, Australians commemorate those who've sacrificed to make our country safe - hear one family's story. For four generations they've proudly served. Now,  they want to highlight the contribution Indigenous people have made to our military.

AM is Australia's most informative morning current affairs program.

Billionaire Elon Musk cries censorship as the Federal Court orders social media platform X to hide video footage of the Sydney church stabbing.

As Sydney honours the victims of the Bondi mass murder - both sides of politics look set to back a crackdown on the spread of misinformation on social media.

"A preventable tragedy": concerns about an overwhelmed child protection system after the suicide of a child in Western Australia.

The Bright Side shines a light on stories of hope and problem-solving people around Australia.

Comprehending, reflecting and moving on - Sydney deals with grief as Bondi Junction prepares to re-open up after Saturday's brutality.

A call for calm as tensions simmer across Sydney after the stabbing of an Assyrian priest during a church service.

Sydney on edge after a Priest targeted in a stabbing attack - police then facing an angry and violent crowd.

Tributes flowing in the for the victims of the deadly stabbing attack at Sydney's Bondi Junction - Police are now trying to piece together what happened and why?

The former American football star OJ Simpson, who was controversially acquitted of the murder of his ex-wife, has died; Ukraine passes a bill to boost its number of troops more than two years since Russia's invasion; And it's one of the biggest pressure points for State and Federal Governments - with builders going broke and struggling with labour shortages - how can housing needs be met?

The Bright Side shines a light on stories of hope and problem-solving people around Australia.

Hope for Julian Assange as President Biden considers dropping the prosecution of the WikiLeaks founder; Anthony Albanese outlines a second-term economic agenda promising a 'future made in Australia' with increased government assistance for 'growth industries' including clean energy, batteries and critical minerals; and a world-first developed here in Australia - a TV program made for kids in hospital by kids in hospital.

The Foreign Minister suggests Australia's considering recognising Palestinian statehood saying it's the only way to achieve lasting peace

Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom are starting formal talks about including Japan in the so-called AUKUS defence partnership.

A review into Australia's supermarket giants recommends turning a voluntary code into a compulsory one, and stiff penalties if they do the wrong thing by consumers and producers.

Joe Biden warns US support for Israel hangs in the balance in the wake of the deadly airstrike on aid workers in Gaza.

Pressure growing on Israel after the deaths of seven aid workers

If it seems like nothing is going right in the world, then The Bright Side is for you.

International outrage as Israel admits it carried out a deadly strike that killed seven aid workers - including an Australian.

Fears of another Middle East flashpoint rising as Iran accuses Israel of killing one of its top commanders in an airstrike in Damascus.

In the biggest protests since the start of the Gaza conflict - Israelis take to the streets demanding a ceasefire with Hamas to free dozens of hostages still held by the terror group.

Investigators piecing together what caused a cargo ship to plough into a bridge in the US city of Baltimore - killing at least six people.

Chaos in Baltimore as a container ship ploughs into a bridge causing it to collapse - people are missing and it's forced the shutdown of one of the world's biggest ports.

Israel's furious with the US as it stands aside allowing the UN Security Council to vote for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

An offshoot of Islamic State claims responsibility for the deadly attack on a Moscow concert hall.

Join Sabra Lane for a comprehensive wrap-up of the Tasmanian election.

The US government to chase tech giant Apple in the courts - accusing it of 'uncompetitive behaviour' to maintain a monopoly over smartphones.

Conflicts of interest and opaque side-deals with contractors - how Australia's strata management industry is costing apartment owners millions of dollars in unnecessary fees.

China's Foreign Minister flies into Canberra for high level talks with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong as Hong Kong passes tough new security laws.

The online safety watchdog warns big tech companies to take extremist material off their platforms or face consequences.

Australia reinstates visas for people fleeing Gaza as communities here react to funding being restored to a controversial United Nations aid program.

It was key recommendation of the Aged Care Royal Commission and  today workers in the sectors will learn if they're to get a substantial pay increase.

The US moves to ban Chinese-owned Tiktok - is the social media app a threat to democracy or is silencing it a danger to free speech?

The Immigration Minister under pressure with yet another Home Affairs bungle over a group of detainees with criminal backgrounds.

The Prime Minister announces a four billion dollar boost to indigenous housing in remote communities.

It's not just inner-city elites - how motorists in our outer suburbs are driving the growth in electric vehicle sales.

US President Joe Biden to announce plans for a temporary port, to get more aid into Gaza, as aid groups warn of famine in the besieged territory.

The Federal Government could soon pay superannuation on paid parental leave.

Americans vote in Super Tuesday primaries

The US Supreme Court rules in Donald Trump's favour - allowing the former President to stay on state ballot papers.

Is the Coalition considering making small nuclear reactors the centrepiece of its energy policy?

More than one hundred people have been killed Gaza after Israeli soldiers fired warning shots as civilians scramble for food aid.

"Selling out" their country, party and colleagues - Australia's domestic spy chief accuses a former Australian politician of being recruited by a foreign power.

Families arrive as Police are confident they've found the bodies of missing couple Jesse Baird and Luke Davies - allegedly murdered by a serving officer.

Organisers of the Sydney Mardi Gras ask Police not to take part as their community grieves the deaths of two men ... allegedly murdered by a serving officer.

Should your superannuation be used to fix the housing affordability crisis? That's the plan from four of Australia's biggest industry superannuation funds to inject hundreds of billions of dollars into social and affordable housing.

In Gaza, warnings of starvation as the war stretches towards a fifth month.

Hearings have wrapped up in what is likely Julian Assange's last chance to avoid extradition to the US.

Julian Assange's lawyers says he's at risk of "a flagrant denial of justice" as they argue against his extradition to the United States.

The widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny speaks - accusing Vladimir Putin of killing her husband with the nerve agent, Novichok.

The Federal Cabinet is in Perth as the government faces questions how a group of men arrived undetected in a remote part of WA's Kimberley region.

The largest functioning hospital in Gaza raided, sending patients and staff fleeing.

Dozens of homes have been destroyed in fires that have swept through western Victoria.

Wild storms knock down power transmission towers leaving hundreds of thousands without power in Victoria as fire crews battle bushfires across the state.

The United Nations warns Israel not to launch a full assault on Rafah ... describing the prospect as "terrifying".

AM is Australia's most informative morning current affairs program.

Ukraine war shake-up as Volodymyr Zelenskyy sacks his top military commander.

The Israeli Prime Minister rejects a Hamas ceasefire proposal - vowing to fight until his nation achieves 'total victory'.

A damning report into 'Closing the Gap' policies - how all governments are failing indigenous communities by not listening and taking a 'business as usual approach'.

King Charles stands down from public duties after a cancer diagnosis.

Parliament's back and Anthony Albanese wants his tax cut changes passed before Easter - do the Coalition or the Greens have other plans?

US President Joe Biden has signed an order which will punish Jewish settlers for attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank.

Hundreds of thousands of extra doctor appointments bulk-billed since the Federal Government boosted incentives for GP.

Political battle over tax cuts before Parliament resumes

The US says it'll do what's needed to protect troops, after a drone attack on a base in Jordan killed 3 American soldiers.

The US President Joe Biden is blaming Iranian backed militant groups for a drone strike in Jordan that has killed 3 American troops.

We look at the inspiring people recognised for making the country a better place.

Almost all workers will get a bigger tax cut than planned, as the Albanese Government says changed economic circumstances have prompted it to overhaul the stage 3 tax cuts;  A nervous wait as Tropical Cyclone Kirrily heads towards the north Queensland coast; And thousands of flood victims still waiting for their insurance claims to be processed.

The Albanese Government is bracing for a political backlash as it prepares to make changes to planned stage 3 tax cuts

Disaster preparations are underway with a severe cyclone likely to cross the north Queensland coast this week.

Voters and small businesses offer the Albanese Government a few ideas to tackle the cost of living, as Federal Labor MPs prepare to head to Canberra for a special meeting.

Tensions ratcheting up as Pakistan carries out a retaliatory missile strike against Iran.

Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong calls for peace between Israelis and Palestinians as she tours the West Bank.

Penny Wong arrives in the Middle East for a highly controversial visit - backing Israel's right to defend itself while urging caution in its conduct of the war

A missile strikes an American-owned and operated container ship in the Red Sea - just days after US and British forces struck Houthi bases in Yemen.

Australia's Mary becomes Queen of Denmark

The UN's top court begins hearing genocide allegations against Israel - a claim it denies.

Chaos on the streets of Port Moresby. People have been shot as well as homes and businesses looted. The army sent in to restore order.

AM is Australia's most informative morning current affairs program.

Flooding worsens in central Victoria after record breaking rain - residents in low lying parts of some towns told it's too late to evacuate.

Bulk billing rates drop further, doctors say it's an unsustainable system while patients say decent medical care is slipping out of their grasp.

The Islamic State terrorist group claims responsibility for two explosions in Iran killing nearly 100 people, the worst terrorist attacks in the country for decades.