Billboard

• Tokyo made history as the first Asian city to host the Billboard Global Power Players 2026 Awards Ceremony, held as part of the MUSIC AWARDS JAPAN 2026 WEEK. • The event gathered elite music industry leaders, including Naoshi Fujikura (Universal Music Japan), Lo Ting-Fai (Warner Music APAC), and Dickon Stainer (UMG UK and Ireland). • This landmark gathering signifies the growing global influence of the Asian music market and fosters strategic networking between international executives and regional power players.

Victorian premier says she will always call out ‘misogynist’ views after One Nation leader says ‘if the shoe fits’Jacinta Allan has dismissed leadership speculation and says she will continue to call out “sexist, misogynist, hateful” commentary directed at her, despite One Nation leader Pauline Hanson’s advice to “suck it up, sweetheart”.On Sunday, the Victorian premier criticised a truck-mounted billboard, which has been seen travelling around Melbourne for several weeks, featuring AI-generated images of her wearing a black pointed hat alongside the phrase “ditch the witch”. Continue reading...

ACT independent David Pocock is calling for a 25% tax on gas exports to fund welfare and housing. Follow today’s news liveGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastLabor should use the proceeds of limiting tax concessions for property investors and a crackdown on gas export profits to fund welfare increases and build housing, charities and social service groups say.Ahead of next month’s federal budget, the Albanese government is under pressure to wind back negative gearing rules and the 50% capital gains tax discount for property investments, and to tax more of the profits from soaring commodity exports, pushed up by the global energy shock.People on the lowest incomes are skipping meals, delaying medical care and rationing energy just to get by.Frontline services are operating at capacity, facing growing demand and increasingly complex needs. Current policy settings are not meeting the needs of our communities – it’s clear that significant and sustained public investment is essential. Continue reading...

• Drake's 'Family Matters' debuted at No. 1 on Billboard Hot 100 dated April 17, 2026, with 45 million streams and 150,000 downloads in tracking week. • The diss track targeting Kendrick Lamar amassed 200 million YouTube views, escalating rap beef. • It marks Drake's record 14th No. 1, surpassing The Beatles, per chart data.