Radio National Breakfast

Green shoots are showing in some parts of South Australia, after years of suffering through one of the worst droughts on record.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have wrapped up talks in Beijing.

The two leaders signed more than 20 agreements on trade and tech, issuing a lengthy joint statement on what they called a "multi-polar world order".

But Russian officials have left Beijing without a final deal on a natural gas pipeline between the two countries - though they say there's a "general understanding" of a way forward.

It comes days after the Chinese leader rolled out the red carpet for US President Donald Trump, complete with cheering children, a military guard and marching bands. 

• GUEST: Grégoire Roos, Director of the Europe, Russia and Eurasia Programmes at Chatham House
• PRODUCER: Pip Cook

Start-up founders are calling on the federal government to rethink ending the 50% capital gains tax discount - over fears it will cripple the sector.

The newly proposed inflation indexation model - announced in the federal budget last week - has been called the most punitive tax treatment on start-up equity in the western world by some in the sector.

We hear from all sides on the debate, including the federal government and an independent long calling for tax reform. 

Then, we get the latest on the Diphtheria outbreak from South Australia. 

And we cross to north London as Arsenal take out the EPL. 

Recap the morning's news, politics and global affairs with the Breakfast Wrap.

Farmers in Western Australia are facing what they're calling the worst mouse plague on record, with up to 4,000 mice recorded per hectare of land.

A warning - this Changing Australia conversation will discuss suicide.

Dr Oliver Liyou's first memory is of being chased by a horse.

It didn't stop him from becoming an equine vet, who's worked to improve the economic viability of rural veterinary practice and led the way in the critical area of equine dentistry.

During the disastrous 2022 floods in New South Wales, he helped many sick and injured horses at a temporary hospital on his property.

And as many vets face serious mental health issues, he's sharing his own experiences to help others.

If you or anyone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

• Guest: Dr Oliver Liyou, equine vet, founder of Equine Veterinary and Dental Services 

In her tax white paper, Allegra Spender favoured a 30% capital gains tax discount, but didn't propose to exempt shares or make any special accommodations for startups. She says she underestimated these issues. 

Home care price caps to stop older Australians from being overcharged have been deferred indefinitely. 

The Shadow Minister for Health and Aging is concerned the government's aged care reforms have been mishandled.

• GUEST: Anne Ruston, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care 
• PRODUCER: Isadora Bogle 

The government is continuing its sales pitch on contentious tax reform proposals outlined in the budget last week.

The US Department of Justice has set up a $2.5 billion fund (US$ 1.776) to pay millions of dollars to people deemed victims of "lawfare".

The government has indicated the "Anti-Weaponisation Fund" could be used to compensate allies of the President, and the administration has faced questions around whether that could extend to convicted participants of the January 6 riots. 

Concern is rising among health officials about one of Australia's worst diphtheria outbreaks - which has now spread across the Northern Territory and into neighbouring states.

There have been 133 reported cases of the infection in the NT so far - including one likely death - along with 79 cases in Western Australia, six in South Australia and two in Queensland.

That's compared to fewer than 40 cases nationwide in all of 2025.

• GUEST: Dr Nicola Spurrier, South Australia's Chief Medical Officer
• PRODUCER: Brooke Young