The soaring cost of living

This is the Nine News Podcast.

Coming up, the story calls to flipping.

Prime Minister, he voted first.

And the NREL star explaining why he's joined PNG.

I'm Madeline McNeil with your Lunchtime Nine News Podcast.

Australia's inflation rate has jumped over the year to March,

reflecting a surge in fuel prices.

Nine's federal politics editor, Michael Packie, explains.

Latest data from the Bureau of Statistics shows inflation rose from 3.7% in February

to 4.6% for the year to March.

The result is slightly below expectation, given it also takes into account the conflict

in the Middle East, which has sent oil prices soaring, pushing up the cost of petrol and diesel,

and that having a flow-on effect to the price of other goods and services.

Underlying inflation, which is what the Reserve Bank looks at when considering

interest rate movements, was steady at 3.3%, but this is still at the high end of its target band.

Beyond transport, the numbers show housing was up, and electricity prices surged 25%.

In Canberra, Michael Packie, Nine News.

Three protesters have disrupted a resource industry event in Perth, as the Prime Minister was about

to deliver a keynote speech.

The anti-gas demonstrators were escorted out of the venue, and Anthony Albanese got up to speak.

He used his address to the chambers of minerals and energy to push for faster environmental

approvals for various developments.

Mr Albanese claims it will stop investors abandoning important projects.

To speed up and simplify approvals into a single-touch process,

this will fast-track new energy housing and resources projects by combining

federal and state approvals, effectively removing an entire layer of bureaucracy.

King Charles has hailed the ambitious Orkis submarine plan between Australia, the US, and UK.

He highlighted the enduring defence ties between the nations, while addressing US Congress,

calling for reconciliation and renewal.

Former US Ambassador Arthur Synodinos has told today, the message of unity and collaboration

shone through.

This is the second time that the King has said something about Orkis.

He also addressed it in his remarks at Buckingham Palace when he hosted President Trump.

So, as you can see, a lot of emphasis by the King on what brings the Americans and the Brits together.

Former FBI Director James Comey has been indicted again, this time accused of threatening

the life of Donald Trump with a social media post. He is facing two charges relating to a post

of seashells in the shape of the numbers 86 and 47. 86 is slang for getting rid of something

and Donald Trump is the 47th President.

Australian researchers have found less than four minutes a day of moderate to intense

physical activity could prevent type 2 diabetes. The more than 22,000 adults who participated

in the study were more than a third less likely to develop the chronic condition.

Monash University Professor Emmanuel Stumatakis says daily bursts of movements are a realistic

habit for people who can't sustain a structured exercise program.

Study expands options, gives hope to people who, for whatever reason, are resistant to

participating in an exercise program.

And a tiny bird embryo is giving new hope for unborn human babies with spinal cord defects.

Researchers from the University of Queensland are studying quail embryos to see how a

problematic cell can cause deformities to the neural tube. UQ Research Lead, Dr. Mel White,

says there are unexpected similarities between bird and human embryos.

The reason that we use quails is because very early during development,

bird embryos actually develop very similar to a human embryo, so they're a really great model,

but obviously a bird develops in an egg which is outside of the mother's body,

so we can cut a little window in the eggshell and we can watch the embryo develop.

In finance, the Australian dollar is buying around 71 US cents.

Sport.

The PNG chiefs have officially announced Jerome Luai as the club's first signing.

The West Tigers 5-8 will head to the expansion club for its inaugural season in 2028,

Luai outlining his reasons why.

I think everyone wants me to say, you know, tax-free and how appealing that is from the outside in.

But that's not what got the job. That's not what got the deal signed.

Being over there, you sort of realise that it's bigger than a game over there.

And when the time comes, we'll be able to change a lot of lives for the better.

Brisbane Lions, forward Oscar Allen, is facing three months on the sideline.

He'll undergo surgery on a fractured foot this week.

Warratar's prop Daniel Botter has been handed a too much ban for dangerous play,

and Matilda's vice captain, Steph Catley, has signed a two-year contract extension with Arsenal.

I'm Madeline McNeil, that's the Nine News podcast.

For the latest in news, tune in to Nine News at 6pm.