1. Russia-Ukraine war update
Russian forces have taken control of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant after shelling it last week, causing a fire and grave concerns of a nuclear explosion, dwarfing that which was seen in the infamous Chernobyl explosion in 1986. An evacuation from the southern city of Mariupol was halted for a second day, with Ukrainian officials claiming Russia again violated a cease-fire brokered to allow the safe passage of civilians. An aid group called conditions in the city “catastrophic.” Over 1.5 million people have fled Ukraine since the war began, the U.N. said. Other key developments: American Express suspends Russian/Belarusian operations, Russia warns neighbouring countries about hosting Ukraine’s military jets as it would be considered involvement in an armed conflict with Russia, Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said in a statement. More than a million people have fled Ukraine in just one week.

2. Property prices slow
For those hoping to buy a home but think they’ve missed out as prices continue to rise, well, the good news is that the surge in property prices is slowing. CoreLogic specializes in monitoring home price rises and its research tells us that with rising global uncertainty, thanks to the Russia aggression, and the potential for weaker consumer sentiment as inflation rises and interest rates also start to rise, property price increases are slowing and eventually will fall. The message from the experts is: be patient.

3. AGL not up for sale
Local billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes and Canadian investment firm Brookfield have given up trying to buy AGL Energy to make it greener and cleaner. The pair had offered $5bn, then $8bn and had pushed it to $9bn with a higher $8.25 share takeover bid but again the board of AGL said no, receiving advice from Macquarie Capital and Goldman Sachs. The company will go ahead with its plan to demerge the group’s retail and renewables arm from its coal-fired power generators later this year.

4. Car explodes on Sydney Harbour Bridge, major delays
A head-on collision has seen a car burst into flames in one of the city-bound lanes on the Sydney Harbour Bridge this morning. The bridge is currently closed in both directions, with authorities urging drivers to use alternative routes.

5. Our stock market tipped to go up today
Despite a negative lead from Wall Street and continued fighting between Russian and Ukraine forces, the local stock market is expected to open up today. Fears are growing of a direct conflict between Western forces and Russia after the Ukrainian city of Mariupol was bombed in ­violation of a ceasefire, to allow civilians to escape. Even so, our stock market is tipped to open up 28 points higher, which has to be driven by energy, resources and agricultural stocks all influenced by the war, driving up commodity prices. On Wall St: Dow -0.5% S&P 500 -0.8% Nasdaq -1.7%. 2-year yield: US -0.06% (1.48%) Australia +0.03% (1.10%). 10-year yield: US -0.12% (1.73%) Australia -0.01% (2.15%).