Radio National Breakfast

Every year thousands of desperate migrants risk their lives trying to cross from North Africa into European waters but the situation has escalated in recent months, with at least 1500 people perishing in the Mediterranean stretch in 2021 including dozens in the week just before Christmas.

In response several charities have organised sea rescue missions including the International Red Cross.

In the UK, COVID-19 case numbers continue to break records - with more than 137 000 cases recorded yesterday.

But in his New Year's message, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the country was in an 'incomparably better' place than it was this time last year.

Daddy Cool's song 'Eagle Rock' has to be one of the most recognisable songs in Australian rock music.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic track Ross Wilson is going back on the road.

The Federal Government has promised to change the kinds of projects which get grants from the billion dollar mining royalty fund that Northern Territory traditional owners have built up.

Aboriginal community leaders say there hasn't been enough focus on creating indigenous community jobs, and payouts of cash royalties are increasing social problems.

Satellite data from Brazil's space research agency shows that over 13 000 square kilometres of the Amazon were destroyed in the 12 months up to July 2021.

That's despite President Jair Bolsonaro's promise that his government is serious about protecting the Amazon and dealing with illegal logging.

Over its six seasons, comedy series Schitt's Creek has earned a cult following for its loveable characters and punchy jokes.

The show picked up a whopping nine Emmys for its final season alone and now one of its creators and stars, Dan Levy, has created a tie-in book celebrating Schitt's Creek's legacy.

Sydney's New Year's Eve celebrations are going ahead tonight, despite growing COVID case numbers across the state.

Large crowds are expected to gather for the annual event, but organisers insist changes such as ticketing for vantage points will keep everyone safe.

2021 started with plenty of hope, there were COVID-19 vaccines and we were ready to embrace the new normal but then lockdowns and isolation returned.

And around the globe we saw big international events, such as the storming of the Capitol in the US and the 2020 Olympic Games were finally held in Tokyo.

Madeleine Genner and Marc Fennell recap the year's events.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander listeners are advised the following story contains the name of a person who has died.

Indigenous health care workers are sounding the alarm over National Cabinet's decision to loosen COVID-19 restrictions, despite there being over 110 000 active cases around the country.

State and Territory leaders - and the federal government - have moved to reclassify 'close contacts' as someone who spends more than four hours in a household or household-like setting, with a positive case.

Legendary Australian guitarist Ed Kuepper and drummer Jim White will finally head back out on the road in 2022 after lockdowns put a pause on touring.

Ed Kuepper's behind some of Australia's most influential bands including punk outfit The Saints, as well as the Laughing Clowns and the Aints, but he's less well known for his forays into experimental jazz.