Morning everyone. Spain and Portugal have been plunged into chaos after a massive power cut knocked out supply to millions of homes, along with hospitals and airports. We have the latest as engineers scramble to reconnect the grid.
Our final Essential poll still has Labor on course to win the election, and we look at what’s behind the surge in early voting. Vladimir Putin has called a three-day ceasefire for next week, and the British government is trying to tee up a golf win for Donald Trump.
Australia
Early birds | Millions of Australian are forgoing Saturday’s sausages and socialising to vote early – but why? We talk to pre-pollers and ask experts what it tells us about the way society is changing. In the latest of our Anywhere but Canberra series, Melbourne IT worker Irfan Syed tells us he is “struggling big time” with the cost of living.
Exclusive | Labor holds an election-winning lead with just days left of the campaign, according to our latest Guardian Essential poll, which puts the party ahead of the Coalition by 52-48 points on a two-party basis. Peter Dutton’s personal approval has slipped for the fourth poll in a row.
Exclusive | The Victorian magistrates court is moving to shed more staff, with family violence roles and eight jobs in the Koori court among its latest proposed cuts, in a move the state’s Aboriginal legal service has described as a “slap in the face”.
Credit carp | Anthony Albanese has dismissed the concerns of rating agency S&P after the firm warned Australia’s prized debt rating could be in jeopardy if debt and deficit worsen due to spending promises by both major parties.
Reality check | Staying with the election, the Coalition have denied that greenhouse gas emissions would be higher if it won the election than under a returned Labor government. But are they right?
World
Power cuts | Spain has declared a national emergency and the government has taken control of key functions in three regions after a huge power blackout across the country and neighbouring Portugal left them without trains, metros, traffic lights, ATMs, phone connections and internet access. We examine the possible causes, and the public’s phlegmatic response. Follow developments live.
Ukraine truce | Vladimir Putin has proposed a three-day full ceasefire in the war with Ukraine to mark the 80th anniversary next week of the end of the second world war. On the battlefield, our reporter joins a Ukrainian artillery unit trying to defend a Russian push to encircle Kharkiv. “A lot of Russians have been killed. We like this,” one of them says.
Open season | Senior UK officials have asked golf bosses whether they can host the 2028 Open championship at Donald Trump’s Turnberry course after repeated requests from the US president.
Canada decides | Canadians have begun voting in a federal election overshadowed by fury at Donald Trump’s threats to the country’s sovereignty and fears over his escalating trade war.
Peak stupidity | A Chinese university student has been rescued from the slopes of Mount Fuji twice in the space of a week – the second time during an attempt to retrieve his mobile phone.
Full Story
Why Peter Dutton’s campaign has not gone to plan
Political reporter Dan Jervis-Bardy talks to Nour Haydar about the Liberal party’s mistake-ridden campaign.
In-depth
No sooner had news of Pope Francis’s death been announced than the American, Maga-flavoured counter-revolution against the famously liberal pontiff was mobilised with Catholics on the populist right such as Steve Bannon seeing an opportunity to turn the tide. The conclave of cardinals to decide his successor begins on 7 May, the Vatican said overnight, and for the right it’s just “one battle in a war that lasts decades”.
Not the news
Dog owners know the feeling, and non-dog owners certainly don’t mind pointing out when a pooch is behaving badly. So, we have asked professional trainers for three tips on how to improve your dog’s behaviour.
Sport
Football | Jonathan Wilson asks if Liverpool’s title was Jürgen Klopp’s final masterpiece or Arne Slot’s foundation stone? And we also look at how the Dutchman made the journey from child coach to Premier League winner at the first attempt.
Cricket | Ben Stokes’ plea for changes to the system of over-rate penalties that led to England being docked 22 points in the World Test Championship has been rejected by the International Cricket Council.
Snooker | Judd Trump held off a spirited fightback from Shaun Murphy to reach the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible.
Media roundup
A tour by a group of African singers has been thrown into chaos after they were refused visas, the Sydney Morning Herald claims. The Herald Sun asks its readers if they are wondering why they keep getting texts from Clive Palmer’s Trumpet of Patriots – and how he got their number. NRL chiefs hope new turf being laid at Suncorp Stadium stands up to this weekend’s Magic Round amid fears of more torrential rain in Brisbane, the Courier Mail says.
What’s happening today
Sydney | The Lowy Institute hosts 100 Days of Trump 2.0 – a conversation with Susan Glasser and Michael Fullilove.
Politics | Online federal election forum on early childhood at 7pm with Anne Aly, Angie Bell, Zoe Daniel and Steph Hodgins-May.
Sign up
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Brain teaser
And finally, here are the Guardian’s crosswords to keep you entertained throughout the day. Until tomorrow.
