Radio National Breakfast

As the fuel crisis continues to pinch, Australia's sugarcane growers are worried about what this could mean for the upcoming harvest.

The industry is also warning that fertiliser supply uncertainty is casting doubt over the viability of next year's crop.

• Guest: Dan Galligan, CEO of Canegrowers - the peak body for Queensland's sugarcane growers
• Producer: Grace Stranger

Pakistan will be facilitating the talks between the US and Iran this weekend.

Iran accepted the ceasefire proposal after frantic diplomatic efforts by Pakistan in recent weeks - and a last-minute intervention by China, according to Iranian officials.

• GUEST: Michael Kugelman, Senior Fellow for South Asia at the Atlantic Council
• PRODUCER: Brooke Young, Pip Cook

Australia has played a crucial role in the historic Artemis II mission - which has seen humans further into space than ever before.

But as the astronauts prepare for their re-entry this weekend, leading scientists say Australia is letting the moment to capitalise slip.

The Australian government opted out of seeking full membership of the European Space Observatory program - which is seen as a key pillar for industry growth by the sector.

• GUEST: Australian National University's Professor Brian Schmidt, Nobel Prize recipient for Physics and a Fellow at the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering 

The White House has confirmed that Vice President JD Vance will lead a US negotiating team for talks with Iran in Pakistan - which will begin this weekend.

It comes as Lebanese health authorities say more than 250 people have been killed in intense Israeli strikes, with international calls for Lebanon to be included in the observation of the ceasefire.

• GUEST: Sina Toossi, senior non-resident fellow at the Center for International Policy
• PRODUCER: Brooke Young

Lebanese authorities say more than 250 people have been killed in Lebanon after an intense wave of Israeli strikes across the country overnight.

The attacks come as Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists the current ceasefire between the United States, Israel and Iran does not include its war in Lebanon.

• GUEST: Dr Firass Abiad, a former health minister of Lebanon and now a surgeon at the American University of Beirut Medical Center
• PRODUCER: Eleni Psaltis 

The US President agrees to a two week ceasefire if Iran reopens the Strait of Hormuz, only hours after he violently threatens annihilation.

We unpack the gravity of his comments and get immediate analysis on the prospect of this conflict screeching to a halt, right as it was set to escalate. 

Then, the Nationals are set to plant an ideological flag in the ground over the economy. The new leader Matt Canavan fronts up. 

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

The astronauts aboard Artemis II are officially heading home — to splash down near San Diego in California in just over 24 hours time.

The mission has hit multiple historic milestones, surpassing Apollo 13 as the farthest crewed space flight, and a world-first lunar fly-by to view the far side of the moon.

• GUEST: Pamela Melroy, former Deputy Administrator of NASA, former NASA astronaut and Space Shuttle commander, and retired US Air Force test pilot
• PRODUCER: Brooke Young

It's said the youth of today are the leaders of tomorrow.

It's something Caitlin Figueiredo takes seriously.

She's spent years boosting the voices of youth and women at the political table and advocating that the halls of power should reflect the rich diversity of the community.

Guest: Caitlin Figueiredo, former chair of the Australian Youth Affairs Coalition, a co-creator of the Girls Take Over Parliament program, advisor to several groups on youth affairs

The Northern Territory has legislated extra safeguards to protect motorists facing the eye-watering surge in fuel prices.

The territory government — last week — triggered a 77-year-old law to force fuel retailers to make their "full cost structures" public. The government says in "the most extreme cases" the legislation will allow it to "overrule and set the price" of petrol and diesel at the bowser.

• GUEST: Bill Yan, Northern Territory Treasurer
• PRODUCER: Isadora Bogle

US President Donald Trump has warned “a whole civilisation will die tonight” if Iran fails to meet his latest deadline to strike a deal that includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

But if the Trump Administration follows through on its threats - it shouldn't expect help from leaders in Europe - who have have been clear in their refusal to join the US' war efforts.

Those responses have angered Donald Trump and strained diplomatic relations - as Europe continues to support Ukraine's war effort on its own borders.

• GUEST: Andrius Kubilius, European Commissioner for Defence and Space and former Lithuanian prime minister
• PRODUCER: Brooke Young