The World Today

If you're feeling financially squeezed right now, the latest official data show you're far from alone. Bureau of Statistics figures show that wages grew at 0.5 per cent in the March quarter, bringing the annual rise to just 1.9 per cent. That means wages growth is not keeping pace with rises in the cost of living.

Capital city rents have increased everywhere in the last six months except Perth according to the latest Rental Affordability Index from National Shelter, SGS Economics and Community Sector banking. Regional rents are going up too with some Victorian towns more expensive to rent in than Melbourne. The report's authors say households with incomes less than $60,000 are likely to struggle to find an affordable rental property anywhere in Australia.

Single mother Emma Carr says between 70 to 80 per cent of her income goes to rent. She is waiting for public housing and says that would reduce the stress of trying to afford necessities for her children and herself such as paying the bills, buying food and clothes.

The Australian Tax Office has targeted 200 outlaw motor cycle gang members as part of a nationwide crackdown on tax evasion in cooperation with state and federal police. Almost half the notices have been served, including tax debts totalling nearly $4 million.

For years, scientists have long suspected there is a link between smoking and the common skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, but now they've found the strongest sign yet of that being a reality. Scientists from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Queensland have monitored the health of almost 19,000 randomly selected Caucasian Queenslanders, aged between 40 and 69 years, who have never had cancer or serious sunburn. They've found that, amongst that group, the prevalence of squamous cell carcinoma is markedly higher in smokers, compared to non-smokers, of those who've given up ciggies.

Consumers buy free range or cage free eggs because they taste better, are safer and more nutritious, according to new research. An Adelaide University study found shoppers bought 'ethical eggs' because they believe they're naturally better, not necessarily because of the chicken's welfare. Researchers say the results will help them understand better why welfare is important to consumers.

The Collingwood football great Lou Richards has been remembered as a generous man, a team-player and a comic. The media personality and AFL legend was honoured with a state funeral in Melbourne today.

National Australia Bank chairman Ken Henry is demanding a public inquiry into the Government's new tax on banks. Dr Henry is warning the levy will hurt the economy. His concerns are being dismissed by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull who is adamant the new tax will be in place from July first.

The traditional distinction of holding a full-time job in Australia is fading as part time work becomes more common, according to the Reserve Bank. The central bank's members held an 'in depth' briefing on part time employment and noted that the trend is 'relatively high' by international standards.

The latest on emerging technologies and tech companies with This Week in Tech and joining The World Today is entrepreneur and technology author, Steve Sammartino, from our Techtopia series last year. Today he's going to take us through some of the technology stories we need to know about this week.