Radio National Breakfast

Today marks three years since the start of the Sudanese civil war, a conflict which has left countless civilians dead and millions without access to food, shelter or sanitation.

Since the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary group the - Rapid Support Forces - took up arms against each other, more than 14-million people have been displaced.

The African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies estimates it is the largest displacement crisis in the world. 

Both sides have been accused of war crimes, with claims of genocide being made against the RSF.

• GUEST: Eva Hinds, UNICEF's chief of advocacy in Sudan
• PRODUCER: Pip Cook

Lebanon and Israel have held their first direct diplomatic talks in decades with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling it a “historic opportunity”.

But he also made clear no breakthrough agreement was expected; as the conflict - between the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah and Israel - continues.

Meanwhile, Lebanese health authorities are still dealing with the aftermath of April 8; when Israeli strikes killed more than 350 people, marking one of the deadliest days the country has ever seen.

Israel has been conducting an air and ground campaign in Lebanon - insisting that the current ceasefire - with Iran - does not apply to fighting in Lebanon.

• GUESTS: Dr Imad Salamey - Professor of political science and international affairs at the Lebanese American University in Beirut, Hicham Fawwaz - logistics manager at the Public Health Emergency Operations in Beirut and Lou Cormack, Head of Mission in Lebanon for Médecins Sans Frontières
• PRODUCER: Pip Cook

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. 

Also, an extraordinary feud is growing between US President Donald Trump and the Pope.

The global leader of the Catholic church has said he plans to continue speaking out against war, despite scathing comments from the US president.

While in Australia, energy prices are on the rise due to the war in the Middle East, but the cost of electricity hasn't seen a similar jump, we'll unpack why that is.

There's also a lot of movement in the defence industry.

You'll hear about the billions of dollars set to be invested in drones, and major changes in the top military.

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

The top brass of Australia's military has seen a reshuffle with Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond to become chief of the Defence Force in July.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant General Susan Coyle has been appointed as the first female Chief of Army.

It comes at a key time for the force, ahead of strategic deadlines for the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine program and an ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

• Guest: Retired Admiral Chris Barrie, founder of the Australian Security Leaders Climate Group - and served as chief of the Australian Defence Forces until 2002.
• Producer: Jason Whittaker

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that this story includes names and images of Indigenous people who have died.

The late Geoffrey Gurumul Yunupingu, Iconyx, and the Lonely Boys are just some of the many Indigenous artists supported and produced by Darwin-based independent record label and production company Skinnyfish Music.

It has helped bring Indigenous music to wider audiences, working in partnership with artists and communities.

Guest: Michael Hohnen, Skinnyfish co-creator 

The Victorian government was rocked yesterday by three resignations from the frontbench.

Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas, Government Services Minister Danny Pearson and Water Minister Gayle Tierney announced they won't re-contest their seats at the November election, forcing an immediate ministerial reshuffle.

• Guest: Jess Wilson, Victorian Opposition Leader
• Producer: Jason Whittaker

Reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme are in the federal government's sights ahead of the May budget, as the government tries to rein in the scheme's costs.

Does the Opposition support the government's goal to pull back the scheme's annual growth of 5.6 per cent a year?

• GUEST: Melissa McIntosh, shadow minister for the NDIS
• PRODUCER: Isadora Bogle

Australia will be among more than 40 nations to discuss safeguarding shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. 

The summit will be co-hosted by the United Kingdom and France. On social media, French President Emmanuel Macron said the talks would be "aimed at restoring freedom of navigation in the strait".

It comes as 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.

• GUEST: Pat Conroy, Minister for Defence Industry
• PRODUCER: Isadora Bogle 

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