Sky News host Rita Panahi has slammed police officers in London who did nothing to help a Jewish man being threatened and abused by pro-Palestine protesters. In a now-deleted statement, the Metropolitan Police claimed people are intentionally trying to be “provocative” standing near protesters. “In recent weeks we've seen a new trend emerge, with those opposed to the main protests appearing along the route to express their views,” the statement read. “The fact that those who do this often film themselves while doing so suggests they must know that their presence is provocative, that they're inviting a response and that they're increasing the likelihood of an altercation. “They are also making it much more likely officers will intervene.” Ms Panahi hit out at “two-tier policing” in place where the “leftist ideology” has taken over the police force. “That sees the activist class held to a very different standard and that's true not just for these anti-Israeli protesters but those taking part in global warming protests, BLM or whatever the leftist cause is that week,” she said.

As the government touts a future made in Australia, a critical manufacturer collapses and the industry calls for more support. Plus, uranium mining restarts, sticky inflation puts rate cuts in doubt, and why SA is the best performing state.

Spiked Online Chief Political Reporter Brendan O’Neill says the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom “need a better leader” than “wooden, technocratic fishy Rishi”. “The Conservatives will be out of office, and I hope they will use that time to try and get their act together,” Mr O’Neill told Sky News Australia. “They need a better leader than wooden, technocratic, fishy Rishi, as some people call him. “They do need someone like Kemi Badenoch, who’s got great principles. “We need that kind of figurehead to really come through and really engage with people’s desire for economic security, cultural respect, the right to live as they want to live and no more finger-wagging from the state.”

Author and Economist Paul Sheard says there has been a lot of “money printing” that has taken place under the Biden administration. Mr Sheard told Sky News Australia that there has been “a lot of government spending” by the Biden administration. “Inflation has come down, but it’s proving quite sticky. “So, interest rates are likely to remain higher than people thought. “But let’s not forget that also reflects a stronger economy.”

Two Japanese navy helicopters are believed to have crashed in the Pacific Ocean south of Tokyo, according to Japan’s defence minister. The SH-60K helicopters were conducting nighttime training exercises and were carrying four crew members each. Japan's Defence Minister Minoru Kihara said one of the missing crew members has been recovered from the waters, but their condition is unknown. The cause of the crash is yet to be determined.

Sky News host James Morrow says “more than 100” Palestinians who were granted visas since October 7 have “already applied for asylum”. “I think that the prime minister may be guilty of spreading a little misinformation,” Mr Morrow said. “Already, now, the Daily Telegraph today has reported that more than 100 of them [Palestinians on visas] have already applied for asylum. “What does that mean? That means that once they’re here and they’ve applied, it’s almost impossible to get rid of them because it takes years and years and years for these things to work their way through the court system. “These Gazans – they’re here to stay.”

As Australia recovers from a traumatic week, government figures have taken the opportunity to call for strengthened social media censorship laws and controls. Plus, don't miss out on the Canberra Clown Show with Rowan Dean. See omnystudio.com/listener (https://omnystudio.com/listener) for privacy information.

Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham has called out Labor Minister Murray Watt for his claims the Albanese government has made the “biggest increase in investment” for defence as “complete bunkum”. Opposition leader Peter Dutton has made it clear the Coalition will trump Labor’s spending on defence at the next election. They plan to spend more than Labor’s projected 2.4 per cent of GDP on defence. “I heard Murray Watt making these claims about the biggest increase in investment that the country has ever seen under the Albanese government,” Mr Birmingham told Sky News Australia. “It’s just complete bunkum. “When the Abbott government was elected, Australia’s defence spending had sunk to its lowest level as a share of our economy since the 1930s – around 1.36 per cent of GDP. “It was the decision of the Abbott government, implemented by Tony, Malcolm and Scott, to restore and build that up to two per cent of GDP. “We oversaw the most significant increase in terms of Australia’s defence spending since the Second World War.”

Shadow Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Birmingham has criticised the Albanese government’s latest defence announcement as “weak and terribly opaque”. “It’s a weak and terribly opaque announcement,” Mr Birmingham told Sky News Australia. “This is an investment strategy that leaves far more questions about where the cuts to defence are lying than it does answers about where the actual investments are going to occur. “This is a government that has now outlined some $80 billion worth of cuts or delays to different defence investments and programs since it came to office.” Shadow Defence Minister Andrew Hastie also labelled last week’s defence announcement by the Albanese government as "weak".

Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell says he expects the upcoming budget to have a focus on young people to deter the threat from the Greens. Meeting with other G20 finance ministers in Washington, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the budget will be underpinned by “five pressures” on Australia’s economy. He identified lingering inflation, slowing growth, rising tensions, fragmenting supply chains, and a transforming global economy as the main concerns to be addressed. Mr Clennell stressed that any cost of living relief in the budget will likely be small as the government will try to avoid putting “fuel on the inflation fire”. “I'm thinking of increases to rental assistance that have been speculated on and the PM suggesting last week there will be changes to the HECS university debt repayment system,” he said.

Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell says the supermarket Senate inquiry allows the government to take some of the cost of living focus off itself. Coles CEO Leah Weckert fronted a Senate hearing this week after outgoing Woolworths boss Brad Banducci copped a grilling from Greens Senator Nick McKim. During the inquiry, Mr McKim insisted Mr Banducci respond to ceaseless questioning about one particular type of profit measure, return on equity. Mr Banducci repeatedly refused to answer and the conflict resulted in the Senator threatening to hold the CEO in contempt of the inquiry, which carries up to six months’ jail time. “Some of the evidence to a Senate hearing into supermarket prices was that the supermarkets are forcing suppliers to throw out as much as 40 per cent of their fresh produce,” Mr Clennell said.

Almost half of all Australians believe Meta has a negative impact on society, including one in three people who use its platforms. Polling from Freshwater Strategy suggests only 32 per cent of people have a positive view of Meta. That is compared to 73 per cent for Google and 54 per cent for Amazon. The data suggests only 17 per cent of people have a positive view of Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg. 44 per cent have an unfavourable opinion of him.

The US is marking the 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting in Colorado that killed 13 people. More than two decades on parents and community members are calling for repairs and upgrades to a memorial made for the victims. It is estimated lighting upgrades alone will cost over US$50,000. On April 20, 1999, two seniors at the US high school shot 12 students, and a teacher. 21 others were left with gunshot wounds.

Former Commando Damien Thomlinson, who lost his legs fighting in Afghanistan, is set to make history on Anzac Day taking the first steps on the new parade ground at the Australian War Memorial. It comes 15 years on from the bomb explosion that resulted in his double amputation. Mr Thomlinson was 28 years old at the time. He has since learnt to walk again, even taking on the gruelling Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea. Thomlinson said he took on the trek in honour of his friend, Private Scott Palmer, who died in a chopper crash one week before he was due to return home.

Stab proof vests have been added to security guards’ uniforms at Westfield Bondi Junction as the centre reopens for its first trading weekend. Locals are beginning to return to the centre one week on from the tragic mass stabbing which claimed the lives of six people. Shoppers paused to remember those who never made it home. The community is expected to gather soon for a candlelight vigil. Six other victims remain in hospital, in a now stable condition according to NSW Health.

A blast at a military base 50 kilometres south of Baghdad has killed a member of an Iraqi security force according to local sources. It is understood an airstrike caused the blast which also wounded eight other soldiers.

eharmony psychologist Sharon Draper shares the best way to have the awkward money conversation with your partner. New eharmony research reveals Australians looking for love are placing a higher premium on financial responsibility in a partner. Being non-judgmental and understanding is key according to Ms Draper. “The way we personally think about money or have an understanding of money is due to our upbringing, or how our parents modelled money,” she told Sky News Australia. “We can’t expect that our partner, or our potential partner, is going to have that exact same experience. “So go into it with a very open mind - you are just trying to understand, you’re not judging. “It needs to be an ongoing, honest conversation.”

Social media platform X says it will not comply with a global takedown order issued by the Australian eSafety commissioner that demands footage from the western Sydney church stabbing be removed from its site. “The recent attacks in Australia are a horrific assault on free society. Our condolences go out to those who have been affected,” the X spokesman said. “We stand with the Australian people in calling for those responsible to be brought to justice. “While X respects the right of a country to enforce its laws within its jurisdiction. “Global takedown orders go against the very principles of a free and open internet and threaten free speech everywhere. “We will robustly challenge this unlawful and dangerous approach in court.” The government has said it expects social media companies to adhere to Australian laws to keep communities safe.

eharmony psychologist Sharon Draper says couples are starting to talk about finances “sooner” into relationships as the cost-of-living bites. New eharmony research reveals Australians looking for love are placing a higher premium on financial responsibility in a partner. “Money is definitely a significant factor in relationships,” Ms Draper told Sky News Australia. “It always has been, but I think what people have usually done is just avoided the conversation. “Nowadays I think people want to talk about it sooner to assess whether the potential partner is a good match.”

The Queensland government is claiming a major victory in its transition to renewable energy, reaching its 30 per cent emissions reduction target eight years ahead of schedule. The state's latest Greenhouse Gas data, which reflects its 2022 emissions, shows a 35 per cent reduction. Energy Minister Mick de Brenni says the reduction is a credit to state government policies like reduced land clearing. State Parliament has passed a bill this week enshrining into law a 75 per cent emissions reduction by 2035. As well as net zero by 2050.