Radio National Breakfast

Israeli troops have launched an attack to seize a key town in ​south Lebanon from Hezbollah fighters; with the death toll in Lebanon now exceeding two-thousand since the start of the war.

The operation comes on the eve of rare talks between the two countries, with the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors -- to the United States - set to meet this week in Washington.

It marks a break in tradition, as the two countries do not have formal diplomatic relations.

Lebanon's foreign minister says his country will use the negotiations to press for a ceasefire in the war but ‌Israel says such discussions are off the table.  

• GUEST: David Satterfield, former US ambassador to Lebanon and Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues
• PRODUCER: Pip Cook

When it comes to what US President Trump thinks about the Pope, it's not just between him and God; he's made his feelings known to the whole world.

Yesterday, he criticised the Pontiff over his comments calling for peace.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni says Donald Trump's attack on Pope Leo is "unacceptable".

Also overnight, Donald Trump took down a controversial AI generated image he posted on social media, showing him in a Jesus-like pose.

• GUEST: Colm Flynn, Vatican Correspondent for EWTN News 
• PRODUCER: Eddy Diamond 

Ahead of next month's Federal Budget, the Albanese Government is trying to tackle the National Disability Insurance Scheme's ballooning costs, through its newly created NDIS sustainability taskforce.

The NDIS is expected to cost $50 billion this financial year and $60 billion by 2030.

Some service providers say the scheme has operated without guardrails, which has allowed some of the underlying problems to occur in the first place.

• GUEST: Michael Perusco, CEO of National Disability Services
• PRODUCER: Joe Sullivan

The global energy crisis - triggered by the war in the middle east - has raised broader questions about Australia's energy vulnerabilities.

While there's been a major hike in fuel prices, electricity prices have - so far - remained relatively stable.

But, how long can that last? 

• GUEST: Frank Calabria, the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Origin Energy
• PRODUCER: Eddy Diamond 

U.S. President Donald Trump says the American military has begun a blockade of Iranian ports as part of his effort to force Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Speaking outside the Oval Office overnight, Mr Trump suggested the U.S. is still willing to engage with Iran, after 21-hour long peace talks failed at the weekend. 

• GUEST: Ret. Vice Admiral John W 'Fozzie' Miller, former head of US Naval Forces Central Command
• PRODUCER: Pip Cook

Australian born museum director Melissa Chiu is set to leave the Smithsonian Institution in Washington and take over the Guggenheim Museum in New York.

• GUEST: Melissa Chiu, New York Guggenheim Museum Director

Agenda-setting news coverage, breaking news and the most significant stories impacting the lives of all Australians.

First it was Iran imposing a de facto blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, strangling a fifth of the world's oil trade.

Now, US President Donald Trump has vowed to blockade the strait after peace talks with Iran failed to secure an agreement

Iran has demanded the right to collect tolls from vessels travelling through the strait, but Mr Trump says no one who pays them will “have safe passage on the high seas.”

We unpack what this means for the shipping industry, and the legality of a US blockade in the Strait.

Then, the federal government is launching a campaign encouraging Australians to use less fuel where possible. Environment Minister Murray Watt joins the program.

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

A warning to Indigenous listeners that the following story includes the name of someone who has died.

The red centre is arguably anything but that at the moment, with Alice Springs turning a shade of green after recent flooding rains.

But at night, the Alice Springs Desert Park is being lit up in dazzling colours for the Parrtjima festival.

• Guest: Paul Ah Chee, cultural advisor to the festival and Chair of the Tourism and Events NT Advisory Board.
• Producer: Joe Sullivan

The combination of peer pressure, school and social media can pose a mental health challenge for many kids at a formative time in their lives.

That wasn't lost on teachers and sisters Kritz and Bianca Sciessere.

They decided to leave the classroom to create new ways to reach female students — to improve mental wellbeing and empower them to become more resilient, confident and connected.

Guests: Bianca and Kritz Sciessere, co-founder of the the Big Sister Experience

The conflict in the Middle East isn't only being waged by militaries, there's also been a surge of propaganda — much of it AI-generated — deployed to shape perceptions of the war.

While the White House has shared hype videos blending pop culture and video games with real military footage, one pro-Iran group has released more than a dozen AI-generated videos mocking US leaders, often Lego-style cartoons set to rap music.

• Guest: Michael Richardson, Professor of Media at UNSW Sydney — and he co-directs the Media Futures Hub
• Producer: Oscar Coleman