Sky News host James Macpherson says gender-confused children will be fine if they’re “left to their own devices”. Mr Macpherson’s remarks come after a study conducted in the Netherlands found most gender-confused children grow out of it. “It was typically teenage girls who had the most confusion about their body changing as they go through adolescence,” he said. “We see that in the statistics now in terms of young people wanting to transgender. “If they’re just left to their own devices, they’ll be fine.”

The price of gold has risen as people look for “alternative assets”, says Sky News Business Editor Ross Greenwood. “The continuing increase of interest rates is supposed to actually quell demand and not have record prices," Mr Greenwood said. “But people are out there on a buying spree at the moment for all these things in anticipation that interest rates will be cut. “The stock market, even though it’s down one per cent over the week, has been at all-time record prices – yesterday closed close to it. “The gold price again, overnight ... up almost 17 per cent – people feel inflation might stick around, they’re looking for alternative assets rather than that record stock market which they’re getting concerned about."

The world's oldest man has died in Venezuela at the age of 114. Juan Vicente Perez attributed his long life to 'working hard, resting on holidays and going to bed early'. Perez also noted drinking a glass of strong liquor every day. He died less than two months before his 115th birthday. He leaves behind a family of 11 children, 42 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

A New South Wales severe weather warning has been upgraded on Friday morning. Sky News Meteorologist Rob Sharpe has discussed what people in New South Wales can expect on Friday amid heavy rainfall and damaging winds. “The worst of the weather for Sydney and surrounding areas tonight I would expect before the heavy rain and wild winds run down the coast for tomorrow,” Mr Sharpe said. Areas through southeast NSW, the Blue Mountains and the Illawarra could see heavy rainfall with totals up to 200 millimetres. “For the Illawarra Escarpment there’s potential for up to 300 millimetres,” he said.

CommSec’s Tom Piotrowski says oil prices have risen to their highest levels due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. “We have seen oil prices really surge ahead because of the conflict in the Middle East so we’ve seen new highs since October being set for both the US and European benchmark,” Mr Piotrowski told Sky News Australia. “They're up by more than a per cent in both cases. “Brent Crude well north of US$91 a barrel at one stage. “So that has been a factor that has just given markets a little bit of a wobble.” Presented by CommSec.

At least ten people have died and more than 700 people are stranded after Taiwan's strongest earthquake in 25 years. The Japanese Meteorological Agency reported the quake at around 8am (local time), about 18 kilometres southwest of Hualien City. The 7.4 magnitude earthquake is the strongest tremor to hit the island in at least 25 years. Several aftershocks struck the capital of Taipei, while most of the damage has been recorded in the eastern city of Hualien. Rescue crews are working to free those beneath the rubble after the quake caused landslides and collapsed buildings.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken used the 75th anniversary celebrations of NATO to say that Ukraine will become a member. Mr Blinken's comments came after he met with Ukraine's foreign minister in Brussels. “Ukraine will become a member of NATO,” Mr Blinken said. “We will see I think in the summit a very strong support for Ukraine going forward,” he said. The US Secretary of State joined foreign ministers from around the world to celebrate the alliance, but it's not clear what the future holds.

Israel could offer compensation to the families of aid workers who were killed in Gaza. Israel's government has come under increasing criticism over the strikes that killed seven aid workers including Australian Zomi Frankcom. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese claimed the attacks were a clear violation of international law. After completing its investigation into the incident the Israeli government is expected to offer compensation to the victims families.

US President Joe Biden and Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have spoken on the phone for the first time since an airstrike killed seven aid workers in Gaza. The US President told his Israeli counterpart that the US's policy regarding Gaza would depend on Israel's ability to implement "specific, concrete, and measurable steps to address civilian harm". "He made clear that US policy with respect to Gaza will be determined by our assessment of Israel's immediate action on these steps," the White House said in a statement following the leaders call. "He underscored that an immediate ceasefire is essential to stabilise and improve the humanitarian situation and to protect innocent civilians." He had previously expressed his 'outrage and heartbreak' at the deaths of seven aid workers and emphasized that "the strikes on humanitarian workers and the overall humanitarian situation are unacceptable".

Sky News host Liz Storer says Queensland Premier Steven Miles has gone “straight for the jugular” with a proposed pumped hydro-electricity project. Premier Steven Miles admits he can’t say exactly what taxpayers could pay for a pumped hydro-electricity project in the works in Queensland. It is predicted the project could balloon to $18 billion. “He’s just gone straight for the jugular being like – 18,” Ms Storer said. “If that’s your starting point, God help Queenslanders.”

Sky News host Liz Storer says Queensland Premier Steven Miles has put the “whole truth-telling treaty thing” on “hold”. Ms Storer said “is it any wonder he’s doing this” following South Australia’s state-based Voice vote last weekend. The Sky News host said South Australia’s Voice vote “absolutely bombed”. “They had less than ten per cent of the people who were eligible to vote in their ‘hey vote for the Voice here in South Australia’ – less than 2,500 people showed up to the ballot box to elect 46 people. “Some of those elected had just six votes.”

Sky News contributor Sam Crosby says the unemployment rate as a figure is “pretty hopeless”. Mr Crosby said it is a “big problem” between the discrepancy of the unemployment rate and the numbers. His comments come as new reports show unemployment is at a low, however, the number of welfare recipients is up. “If you work one hour a week … you are not counted in those numbers,” Mr Crosby told Sky News host Paul Murray. “The single biggest group that we see … are people that have literally two jobs.”

The IR reforms have made life “more difficult” for small businesses, says Liberal Senator Hollie Hughes. “The IR reforms that have gone through have made it more and more difficult and more and more uncertain for small business wanting to employ casuals,” she told Sky News host Paul Murray. “So those sorts of work arrangements and flexibility are becoming harder and more insecure. “Therefore, small businesses are less likely to employ people. “Even though a lot of them are still crying out for staff.”

Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce says Australia’s next Governor-General Samantha Mostyn has “got to be impartial”. Mr Barnaby said as Governor-General, “you have got to respect the mandate of the Australian people". “You’re now the pinnacle,” Mr Joyce told Sky News Australia. “You’ve got to respect the mandate of the Australian people. “The Australian people are actually the boss.”

Royal commentator Josh Rom says King Charles being hailed as a “returning hero” on the front page of UK newspapers spoke volumes following his appearance at an Easter Sunday service. Mr Rom’s remarks come after King Charles III participated in an Easter Matins Service on Sunday morning (local time) at St George’s Chapel in Windsor amid his cancer diagnosis. “There is a real appetite from the country, from the press, to see the King in action – people, of course, flooding the King with well-wishes,” Mr Rom told Sky News Digital Presenter Gabriella Power. “We want to see him back in action. We want to see him doing what he does best. “So, I think this was very much a welcome sight, and I think this really, truly was ... a celebrated sight as well. “People up and down the country were celebrating his return to the main stage of royal duties, so to speak.”

Sky News host Rita Panahi says the “leftist of left leaners” Justin Trudeau has finally admitted that Canada has an immigration problem. The Prime Minister of Canada said during a speech that the number of temporary migrants has grown at a rate far beyond what the country has been “able to absorb”. “He has even admitted a truth that Anthony Albanese cannot bring himself to admit,” Ms Panahi said. “He also explained that the huge numbers of migrants coming in are putting pressure on communities, particularly in terms of housing. “It’s stating the obvious, and yet, we don’t seem to acknowledge these inconvenient facts here in Australia.”

Former foreign minister Alexander Downer says all of the condemnation is “directed” at Israel and none towards Hamas. Foreign Minister Penny Wong expects Israel to ensure there is a “full, transparent investigation” and “full accountability” after their attack in Gaza killed Australian Zomi Frankcom. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is demanding “full accountability” and has called on the Israeli Ambassador to Australia to explain. “Hamas should surrender their weapons and cease fighting; and by lunchtime tomorrow, there would be no further fighting in Gaza,” Mr Downer told Sky News host Chris Kenny. “But all the condemnation is directed at the Israelis and none of it at Hamas and I think that’s a disgraceful thing.”

Political journalist John Fund says Arab governments “don’t trust Hamas” as the Middle East continues trading with Israel. Mr Fund joined Sky News Digital Presenter Gabriella Power to discuss the latest in US politics. “The other Arab governments are, of course, attacking Israel’s operations in Gaza, but they aren’t doing anything about it,” he said. “They’re still trading with Israel; they’re still allowing travel to Israel in many cases. “Privately, Arab leaders will tell visitors, you know, ‘we don’t like Hamas either’.”

Sky News Digital Presenter Gabriella Power breaks down why JK Rowling is “brave” for standing up for women’s rights after the bestselling author called out “woke” Scotland. Scotland’s new Hate Crime and Public Order Act makes it an offence to stir up hatred with threatening or abusive behaviour on the basis of characteristics including age, disability, religion, sexual orientation and transgender identity. The Scottish government insists a separate law against misogyny is on its way. In a series of posts on X, JK Rowling argued the new legislation is “wide open to abuse from activists”. “Of course, transwomen are entitled to rights, respect and acceptance, but their rights should not come at the expense of those who are born biologically female,” she said. “So what I can say after following this story closely – well done to JK Rowling for standing up for women’s sex-based rights and what she believes in. “Her bravery will surely inspire others to speak the truth.”

King Charles has had “a lot of support” from Princess Anne and Prince Edward since being diagnosed with cancer, according to skynews.com.au Digital Reporter Reilly Sullivan. “They are very much sort of picking up the slack for some of the things the King can’t do,” Mr Sullivan told Sky News Digital Presenter Gabriella Power. “But definitely, by all accounts, King Charles is very keen to get back to royal duties and get back to really the start of his reign.” The King attended an Easter Matins Service on Sunday morning at St George’s Chapel in Windsor. Queen Camilla accompanied her husband; however, the Prince and Princess of Wales did not attend the event.