New Zealand Finance Minister Nicola Willis says the government is “feeling really good” after presenting a budget which “delivered on our core commitments”. “We are managing the books more responsibly, delivering tax relief and investing in core frontline services,” Ms Willis told NZ correspondent Jack Nyhof. “We are doing what we said we would do and what will rebuild the New Zealand economy.”

Former US federal prosecutor Scott Tenley says “it does seem like” former US president Donald Trump “has a way of avoiding justice”. Mr Tenley joined Sky News Australia to discuss the fallout of Donald Trump’s hush money trial where the former president was found guilty on all 34 counts. “Here he could avoid jail time and move on and win the presidency,” he told Sky News Australia. “It is really a remarkable dance he has been able to do.”

South Africa's ruling party is on course to lose its longstanding majority. The African National Congress finds itself outside of a majority for the first time in 30 years. Most of the results are now in from the country's election and it has become clear the party, first led to victory by Nelson Mandela, will have to form a coalition to stay in power.

US President Joe Biden has given his thoughts on the hush money trial’s guilty verdict for Donald Trump while branding his predecessor and competitor as “reckless”. “The American principle that no one is above the law was reaffirmed,” Mr Biden said. “Donald Trump was given every opportunity to defend himself. “It is reckless, it is dangerous, it is irresponsible for anyone to say it is rigged just because they don’t like the verdict.”

There are calls to impose a “fast fashion tax” after Australia has been revealed as the largest consumer in the clothing industry. Australian Institute Economy and Waste Program Director Nina Gbor joined Sky News Australia to discuss the impact fast fashion was having on Australia’s waste disposal industry. Ms Gbor explained the direction a “fast fashion tax” would take. “That would slow down the consumption of fast fashion,” Ms Gbor said. “We recommend that fund be invested into Australian businesses that are manufacturing and producing in more sustainable and circular measures.”

Ticketek has confirmed some of its customers' data may have been accessed in a data breach. Following Ticketmaster’s unfortunate experience, Ticketek has now also admitted to its customers' data being compromised. A statement from the company admits names, dates of birth and email addresses may have been impacted.

Australians are being struck a second time by Asia-based crime syndicates routing stolen proceeds through real estate. It is believed this activity can contribute to escalating house prices that lock younger generations out of the market. Investigation authorities said a crackdown on money laundering through casinos in Australia had prompted scammers to turn to Australian real estate. Real estate is a highly attractive money-laundering vehicle because large sums can be moved with relative ease.

Queensland's Bruce Highway has reopened after a two-car crash on Saturday morning. Emergency crews were called to the scene at St Lawrence to reports of a truck and car collision. Four people were injured and one person was airlifted to Rockhampton Hospital in a stable condition with facial and chest injuries. Three others were taken to Mackay Hospital with non-life-threatening issues.

Passengers are experiencing lengthy delays after a refuelling issue forced flights in and out of Perth to be temporarily grounded just as the state heads into a long weekend. Airlines were told not to send flights to the West Australian capital unless they had enough fuel to make a return flight. The issue began in the early hours of Saturday morning and a spokesperson for the airport confirmed the backlog is not expected to clear until early on Sunday.

Strategic Analysis Australia Director Michael Shoebridge discusses what Australia’s relationship with the US may look like if Donald Trump is elected president in November. “America is looking quite divided around this verdict, and it’s just rusting in people’s views on Trump and about their country,” Mr Shoebridge told Sky News host Steve Price. “I think we will be dealing with a transactional America if Donald Trump wins, and so we’re really going to have to be seen lifting our game and be a real contributor to the partnership.”

Technical analysts suggest some of the most popular artificial intelligence applications are over-hyped and error-prone. Dozens of examples of mistakes made by AI tools are being widely shared in a new online trend. There are believed to be 67,000 AI-focused companies operating worldwide; more than $13 billion was invested in them in the first quarter of 2024 alone. Blunders from some of the world’s companies remind us that AI technology is far from reliable and rather dumb.

A nuclear waste facility could be built anywhere in Australia if the federal government’s proposed bill to regulate the storage of nuclear waste was to pass. The bill creates a framework to regulate nuclear waste created by the AUKUS nuclear submarines. Two designated zones for nuclear waste are listed: Osborne Shipyards in South Australia and HMAS Stirling in Western Australia. However, any other area in Australia can become a designated zone through regulations. Greens Senator David Shoebridge spoke with Sky News, raising the need for amendments to ensure proper consultation before a site can be chosen.

U.S. President Joe Biden has hosted the Kansas City Chiefs at the White House after their Superbowl triumph in February. He also acknowledged the team's contribution in the days after the game when a gunman opened fire during a Chiefs' parade in Kansas City. Team coach Andy Reid presented President Biden with a team helmet.

The Livestock Collective Managing Director Holly Ludemann discusses the recently introduced law against live sheep exports, which has been met with outrage from Australian farmers. “When Labor took out this policy, so many things have changed,” Ms Ludemann told Sky News Australia. “It’s not based on science; it’s not based on economics … and it’s going to have a devastating impact on rural WA.”

Construction is underway on a first-of-its-kind gambling treatment centre in Sydney's West. It's prompted calls for the New South Wales Government to invest more of its poker machine profits in helping problem gamblers. NSW Gamblers lost a record $8.129 billion to poker machines last year. The Opposition is accusing the government of failing to put profits from machines back into helping problem gamblers with their addiction.

The Livestock Collective Managing Director Holly Ludemann discusses the recent protest by Australian farmers in Perth against the government’s ban on live sheep exports. “I’ve got goosebumps from seeing the solidarity of everyone stand together,” Ms Ludemann told Sky News Australia. “Seeing the Perth people come out of offices and cheer for the rally – it was really heartwarming.”

Victoria's government is set to release briefing documents surrounding the state's Covid lockdowns. It is estimated around 100 briefs totalling 7000 pages could be released. Some Liberal MPs have been fighting for the public release of documents, advice, and scientific assessments under the Freedom of Information Act. This week, a judge ruled there was a high degree of public interest in releasing the material.

Concerned farmers and the Federal Opposition are calling for answers after biosolid organic fertiliser used on crops across Australia for decades has been found to contain potentially harmful levels of microplastics. After first exposing the issue last week, Sky News can now reveal a chronic lack of national testing for microplastics, as experts issue a warning about their possible impact on human health. An alarming Griffith University study claims that waste treatment products are contaminated with microplastics, up to 1.7 kilograms worth per tonne.

REA Group Senior Economist Eleanor Creagh discusses Australia’s real estate supply and demand imbalance. Last month, Australian house prices hit a new record high, with capital cities leading the way. “We’re seeing that we’ve got this stronger home buying demand environment,” Ms Creagh told Sky News Australia. “We’ve got strong population growth, very tight rental markets. “Those home equity gains of recent years incentivising upgrade activity, but at the same time we’ve got a pretty constrained housing supply environment.

Travellers heading to Brisbane Airport by train will soon benefit from cheaper fares. Airtrain fares will be slashed by 50 per cent for six months starting in August. It is part of the state government's latest transport trial to help relieve cost-of-living pressures. Under the new deal between the government and operators, tickets will cost $10.95.