An Australian parliamentary delegation is wrapping up a five-day visit to Taiwan where it told the territory to immediately strengthen its defences. The talks included conflict preparedness, with Liberal Senator Dave Sharma revealing the lessons he believes Taiwan should take from Israel. Unilateral change to the status quo could mean an attack by China, which has the world’s largest military. To deter this, Taiwan’s president has boosted defence spending and extended conscription from four months to 12 months service. Former Ambassador to Israel Dave Sharma said it’s only a start. “Four months is inadequate … four months, you’re not training anyone to do anything, 12 months, you’re probably getting a degree of capability, but not much – Israel’s 36 months, you’d think it needs to be something closer to that," he said.

An Iranian attack on the Israeli military and government targets is imminent, according to US intelligence. This comes after two top Iranian generals were killed in the recent suspected Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate in Syria. Iran has declared this attack amounted to an attack on Iranian soil. The retaliation strikes could in fact be high precision missiles in the coming days. US President Joe Biden has responded to the threats by re-confirming the United States’ “Ironclad” support for the state of Israel.

CommSec’s Tom Piotrowski says European markets are weak after the central bank held interest rates steady. The European Central Bank on Thursday (local time) held interest rates steady for the fifth straight meeting at four per cent. "European markets are weaker," Mr Piotrowski told Sky News Australia. "The European Central Bank left rates on hold and said that they would be data-dependent with their outlook. "But the markets are expecting a rate cut in June still where the Europeans' fears are concerned." Presented by CommSec.

The head of Australia's Productivity Commission, Danielle Wood, has warned taxpayers may be forced to foot part of the bill for the government's Future Made in Australia plan. Ms Wood, who was handpicked by the government to chair its Productivity Commission, raised concerns. It comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday unveiled Labor’s Future Made in Australia plan. She said the idea of subsidies for a growing low-emissions manufacturing sector would take money away from higher economic priorities and opportunities. Ms Wood also believes Australian businesses could also become too reliant on the government's subsidies.

Defence Minister Richard Marles is readying a trip to Ukraine as the government looks to dismiss claims its support for the country is wavering. Labor members are reportedly growing increasingly frustrated at a refusal to reopen Australia's Ukraine Embassy in Kyiv. The Embassy was pre-emptively evacuated before Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The trip is yet to be announced and is still in its planning stage.

OJ Simpson, the ex-NFL star turned actor, who was acquitted of murder has died from cancer at the age of 76. He was best known for the sensational 'trial of the century' in 1994, involving the fatal stabbings of his wife and her friend. Simpson's family posted on social media confirming he died on Wednesday night in Las Vegas. "On April 10th, our father, Orenthal James Simpson, succumbed to his battle with cancer," the tweet read. "He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. "During this time of transition, his family asks that you please respect their wishes for privacy and grace."

Sky News host James Macpherson says the US intelligence agency believes Iran could end up “attacking Israel”. Mr Macpherson said the intelligence agencies believe an attack is “imminent” on Israelis. “As revenge for a strike Israel launched in Damascus against revolutionary guard members from Iran,” he said. “Israel has said if Iran attacks from Iran, then they will not hesitate in responding. “Which would throw the world into what could only become a world war.”

Sky News host Caleb Bond says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has been requested to speak at the biggest synagogue in the country for six months since October 7 but he “cannot get it together” to say a few words. “Is it any surprise that the biggest synagogue in the country … in Bondi here in Sydney has been asking the prime minister to come and speak for six months,” Mr Bond said. “That entire six months they have been asking the PM to come and say a few words. “It is only half an hour away … it is not that big of a drive. “But he cannot get it together and go down and say a few simple words.”

Sky News host Liz Storer says the United States has “more than the appearance” of funding both sides of the war between Israel and Iran. This comes as President Joe Biden has promised Israel with "ironclad” support from the US. “It wasn’t long ago ... (the US) gave Iran $10 billion and this was after the conflict had broken out,” Ms Storer said. “What on Earth were they thinking?” “They were asked repeatedly, ‘how are you going to make sure that Iran isn’t using this for terrorist purposes?’ – and of course they couldn’t give an answer because you can’t, can you.”

LNP MP Henry Pike says the Labor government’s support for Palestinian statehood is all “about domestic politics”. Mr Pike joined Sky News host Paul Murray to discuss the Opposition Leader’s criticism of the government. “I think it’s more insidious than that,” he said. “I completely agree that a lot of what they do is very undergraduate and juvenile. “But I think that this is really not about foreign policy at all, it’s about domestic politics.”

Sky News host Caleb Bond says people should “keep putting” their foot down against climate alarmist scare campaigns. Mr Bond joined Sky News hosts Liz Storer and James Macpherson to discuss the continued climate alarmist agenda. “If we’ve had two years since basically the dawn of time to save the planet, something tells me we’re going to be okay,” he said. “Keep driving your Toyota Prado, keep driving your turbo-powered car like mine. “Do whatever the Hell you want.”

Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce says Foreign Minister Penny Wong has “fallen off” the “pick of the Labor Party” mantle with recent Israel stance. “She is hardly a safe set of hands,” Mr Joyce told Sky News host Andrew Bolt. “We have always been told Penny Wong is the pick of the Labor Party. “And completely reliable. “Well, she has just fallen off that mantle.”

The timing of Foreign Minister Penny Wong’s call for recognition of a Palestinian state is “absolutely appalling”, says former foreign minister Alexander Downer. “It’s an atrocious thing to have done,” he told Sky News host Chris Kenny. “This plays straight into the hands of Hamas. “They will be hearing these sorts of statements from political leaders like Penny Wong and from a couple of other countries with glee. “They will rejoice in these sorts of comments because they will demonstrate to Hamas that it is gradually gaining the upper hand in the propaganda war.”

Small Business Women Australia CEO Amanda Rose says Melania Trump is a “very compassionate lady” and is “family orientated”. Ms Rose agreed that the former First Lady of America could be her husband’s “secret weapon”. “I think we underestimate women,” she told Sky News Digital Presenter Gabriella Power. “Very compassionate lady, very switched on, very family orientated. “Let’s face it, that is going to resonate with pretty much every woman out there.”

Sky News host Peta Credlin discusses the Labor government’s “appalling pivot” on recognising Palestinian statehood. Senator Wong, during an ANU conference on Tuesday, signalled the Albanese government is considering recognising Palestinian statehood. “In terms of both domestic politics at play but more broadly, internationally,” Ms Credlin said. “Because it speaks to the growing anti-Semitism across the West. “That frankly, we all would have thought was unthinkable just a year ago.”

Danube Institute fellow David Oldroyd-Bolt says Penny Wong’s comments on Palestinian statehood has brought to light the “obvious anti-Semitism" of the left. Senator Wong, during an ANU conference on Tuesday, signalled the Albanese government is considering recognising Palestinian statehood. “I think it’s really terribly shocking that Senator Wong can think that this is in any way appropriate,” Mr Oldroyd-Bolt told Sky News host Peta Credlin. “Given the continuing attack on the very existence of Israel from Hamas and Hezbollah. “How can this possibly be the way that an ally responds to an ally being under attack?”

NSW residents have been advised to stay out of the water over the coming days. Beachgoers, boaters and rock fishers have been notified to avoid surf-exposed areas or coastal rock platforms prone to ocean swells. It comes as warnings for hazardous surf were issued for the Illawarra Coast, Batemans Coast, and Eden’s Coast. A low-pressure system over the Tasman Sea has been producing a vigorous southern flow in its western flank, creating dangerous conditions. The warnings extend to Byron Coast, Coffs Coast, and Macquarie Coast.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has called on Australians to continue “building on our existing strengths” as he delivered a speech on the economic global future at the Queensland Media Club. “Building prosperity has never been a polite and gentle process where every nation gets a turn,” Mr Albanese told media on Thursday afternoon. “It is always a contest – it is always a race governed by rules, driven by competition. “Australia simply can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. “Being in the race does not guarantee us success but sitting it out guarantees failure as the world just moves past us.”

Sky News contributor Gary Hardgrave has ridiculed the new union deals for workers in Queensland by likening the “stupidity” of the rules to the “Dim Sim Allowance” days. Mr Hardgrave explained the fabled rules came as workers "were building Darling Harbour". "They could smell all of the fumes coming up from the Sussex Street Chinese Restaurants," he told Sky News Australia host Rita Panahi. “The serious part about this – a month of rostered days off … you’ll see big building sites with no activity for a week or more. “It is costing between six and nine billion extra on government-funded building projects in Queensland.”

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has unveiled his plans for the ‘Future Made in Australia Act’. Sky News Brisbane Reporter Kaiser Shields breaks down the Prime Minister’s plan, revealing exactly what the act will do and how it will impact the nation. “Albanese says the government’s role needs to evolve to make sure Australia’s domestic industries grow and that they remain competitive,” Ms Shields said. “He wants there to be more government intervention to attract more investment into our domestic industries. “Including manufacturing and green energy.”