Overview

• Cyclone Alfred is expected to make landfall near Moreton Island, Queensland, early Saturday morning, delaying election planning and dominating national attention.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has postponed election announcements, initially anticipated this weekend, as he prioritizes the government's cyclone response efforts.
• Opposition leader Peter Dutton faces criticism for attending a fundraiser in Sydney during cyclone preparations, while his party assures that emergency management funding will be protected.
• New polling data shows Labor regaining a narrow lead over the Coalition, with its Medicare funding boost contributing to increased public support.
• In the U.S., President Trump delays tariffs on Mexican imports for a month, while ongoing trade tensions and defense spending debates pose potential challenges for Australia's economy and international relations.