SBS News Headlines

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton go head to head for the third leaders debate, A date set for Pope Francis' funeral, A freak accident forces Moroccan surfer Ramzi Bouhkhiam out of the Rip Curl Pro.

The third leader's debate going ahead tonight in Sydney; New Zealand's deputy Prime Minister introduces a controversial gender bill to Parliament; Richmond's Noah Balta avoids a prison sentence after an assault last year.

Flags at half mast in Australia after the death of Pope Francis; Cardinals to decide on funeral arrangements for the pontiff; Mollie O'Callaghan completes an epic comeback from injury at the Swimming Championships in Brisbane.

The Vatican releases the Pope's cause of death; Australians will begin casting votes in the federal election; and in football, Real Madrid players observe a minute's silence to honour Pope Francis.

Voters preparing to cast ballots at early voting centres from tomorrow; A second Signal chat scandal emerges for US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth; Gout Gout eliminated from the Stawell Gift event in regional Victoria.

The Easter drowning toll rises again after the death of a nine year old boy; The world's oldest astronaut has returned to earth; AFL coaches condemn fan behaviour after Port Adelaide's win against the Swans on Sunday.

The Palestine Red Crescent says an Israeli investigation into the killing of 15 Gaza medics is "full of lies"; documents show Melbourne's COVID curfew was not based on medical advice; and in athletics, Gout Gout prepares for the Stawell Gift.

In this bulletin ... Labor accused of running a scare campaign over coalition health policy; Israel restricts thousands of Palestinians Christians from attending Easter processions; and in golf, Minjee Lee chases her first win since 2023 at the LA Championship.

Ukrainians dismiss Russian President Vladimir Putin's 'Easter truce' as a lie, Labor and the Coalition continue their election pitches on Easter Sunday, Lyon secure a valuable away win against Arsenal.

Ukraine says Russian attacks continue despite claims of a 24-hour 'Easter truce', Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton share Easter messages, Reigning premiers Penrith have beaten the Sydney Roosters 40-12 at Allianz Stadium.

Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton spar over penalty rates and small business on the election campaign trail... Australian Oscar Jenkins to stand trial in Russia... and Arsenal's women's team to draw inspiration from their men's team... heading into their champions league semi-final

The Coalition flags plan to boost small business if it wins the next election, At least 148 people killed in a boat accident in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Carlton post consecutive AFL wins for the first time in 10 months

US President Donald Trump is considering abandoning attempts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, Labor promises to protect penalty rates for those working during the holiday period, and the Bulldogs beat South Sydney 32-nil.

A pause in the federal election campaign; Australians mark Good Friday by attending church services; and in Tennis, Alex de Minaur advances to the Barcelona Open quarterfinals.

Hamas calls for comprehensive deal to end the war in Gaza; Man yeilding knife dies after being shot by police in Melbourne; And in football, Brisbane Roar win A-League Mens fixture at home for first time in over a year.

US and European ministers hold high level talks over reaching a ceasefire in Ukraine; Labor and Liberal ministers grilled on negative gearing and housing; And in sport, Collingwood inflicts the first defeat of Brisbane's Premiership defence.

Anthony Albanese defends his handling of national security; an appeal date set over a nursing home taser killing and Arsenal defeat defending champions Real Madrid to book a spot in the Champions League semi-final.

Police arrest a 15-year-old suspected of hiring hitmen for a transnational crime syndicate; Extensive coral bleaching at the Great Barrier Reef and Newcastle trimph over Crystal Palace to take third place in the English Premier League.

Peter Dutton says he made a mistake over reports of Russian war planes in Indonesia, a UK Court rules the legal definition of a female does not include transgender women. And in AFL, Willie Rioli returns to training at Port Adelaide.

A woman dies after an alleged DV assault in New South Wales; The Trump administration freezes funding to Harvard over a dispute on grant conditions; Caitlin Foord helps Arsenal to prime position in the Women's Super League.

A manhunt underway after the fatal shooting of a Sydney grandmother; US immigration officials questioned over the delay in bringing back a man wrongly deported to El Salvador; Mixed golf to debut at the 2028 LA Olympics.

Indonesia assures Australia it won't host Russian air bases, Hamas say they've lost contact with last living US hostage, Willie Rioli on leave after racist backlash against the First Nations player.

Australia says it's engaging with Indonesia as Russia requests access to a military base; The Greens ditch a disco fundraiser on Anzac Day after accusations of disrespect and a task force will support Afghan women cricketers.

Anthony Albanese says he will contest a third term if Labor wins the election; Police raid dozens of tobacco shops with alleged links to organised crime and Sydney Roosters legend Jared Waerea-Hargreaves will retire at the end of the Super League season.

Foreign Ministers from the EU discuss what to do next about the war in Ukraine, Environment group gives the Coalition a 'fail', Celebrations continue after Rory McIlroy makes golfing history.