Radio National Breakfast

Around 45 million people could be pushed into acute hunger this year alone if the conflict in the Middle East persists.

That's the warning today from the United Nations' World Food Programme, with new analysis showing how supply chains vital to feeding the world's poorest nations have been disrupted by the conflict.

• Guest: Rania Dagash, Assistant Executive Director of the World Food Programme
• Producer: Grace Stranger

US President Donald Trump had initially threatened to obliterate Iran's power plants if Iran didn't reopen the Strait of Hormuz by today.

But Mr Trump has posted on Truth Social overnight, saying he's working with Iran to bring about a "complete and total resolution" to hostilities in the region.

He described conversations with Iranian officials as "very good and productive".

But the Iranian foreign ministry has strongly rejected the claims, saying no such talks have taken place.

• Guest: Ret. Vice Admiral John W ‘Fozzie’ Miller, former head of US Navy Forces Central Command
• Producer: Grace Stranger, Pip Cook 

The Prime Minister is expected to sign a landmark new trade pact with the European Union today.

Anthony Albanese has been meeting European Commission President ­Ursula von der Leyen in Canberra to work through the finer detail - after eight years of negotiations.

Winemakers look set to win a major reprieve, with reports local exporters will be able to keep using the name "prosecco" when shipping to Europe.

• GUEST: Matt Canavan, Nationals leader and the Shadow Minister for Trade
• PRODUCER: Isadora Bogle

It's been a thousand days since the late Labor MP Peta Murphy handed down a landmark parliamentary report on gambling reform.

It called for a total ban on gambling advertising - alongside 30 other recommendations. 

Nearly three years on, the Albanese government says it's still "considering" its response.

Today, independent MP Kate Chaney - a member of the Murphy review committee - will introduce a bill that would ban online gambling ads.

• Guest: Kate Chaney, Independent MP for Curtin  
• Producer: Isadora Bogle & Eddy Diamond 

As Iran's effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in the Middle East stretches into its fourth week, attention remains firmly on the rising costs of crude oil and LNG.

But a bottleneck in the supply chain of another gas is causing alarm for industries across health, technology and manufacturing - helium.

And it's not party balloons affected.

The gas is critical in the operation of MRI machines, welding and the production of semiconductors - which power everything from your smart phone to electric vehicles and artificial intelligence tools.

And unlike our local gas and oil industries, Australia relies solely on global imports.

• Guest: Phil Kornbluth, global helium consultant
• Producer: Grace Stranger

Online chatbot services marketed as sources of friendship, emotional support or romantic companionship are becoming increasingly popular among Australian children.

But, a new report has found these popular AI services are failing to protect children from exposure to sexually explicit content.  

Four AI companion services were surveyed about compliance for the report - all were found to not have robust age-verification measures, self-harm support and checks on harmful content.

• GUEST: Julie Inman Grant, eSafety Commissioner 

US President Donald Trump threatened the Iranian regime over the weekend that it had 48 hours to open the Strait of Hormuz, or he would obliterate the country's power plants.

Iran's revolutionary guard says if power plants are targeted, the Strait of Hormuz will be "completely" closed and not reopened until the facilities are rebuilt.  

Meanwhile, gulf countries are finding themselves in the crossfire - with about 3,000 projectiles directed at Iran's neighbours since the war began.

The U-S has recently approved a $16.5 billion arms deal for several Gulf states - but will deeper American involvement boost their security - or force a rethink of the alliance?

Back home the federal government yesterday announced that six fuel tankers scheduled to deliver oil to Australia next month have now been cancelled or deferred.

Meanwhile, Labor has comfortably won re-election in South Australia, as One Nation had its best result in an election in nearly three decades. 

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

Every year, thousands of babies born in Australia will need the essential skills of a neonatal intensive care unit.

In 1993, critically ill newborn Hanna was among them,who despite every effort of a neonatal team didn't make it.

But her father Peter Cursley still wanted to give back.

Over three decades he's raised millions of dollars to fund education, research and vital medical equipment for a neonatal unit in Canberra - and for mums and bubs in Wollongong and Victoria's Central Gippsland.

• Guest: Peter Cursley, founder of the Newborn Intensive Care Foundation.

US President Donald Trump has given Iran a 48-hour deadline, vowing to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.

Iran has targeted oil, gas and other freight ships in the vital shipping channel - sending energy prices soaring around the world.

The federal government yesterday announced that six fuel tankers scheduled to deliver oil to Australia next month have now been cancelled or deferred with Energy Minister Chris Bowen warning of, "bumps" in future supply.

• GUEST: David Leaney is an expert in international supply chain management and a lecturer at the Australian National University.

Another flooding event is expected for the Northern Territory town of Katherine, after ex tropical cyclone Narelle dumped over 100 millimetres of rain into already swollen catchments.

And in far-north Queensland, residents are mopping up after Narelle tore through towns on Friday.

• GUESTS:  Joanna Holden, Mayor of Katherine Town Council and Robyn Holmes, Mayor of Cook Shire Council