Radio National Breakfast

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says the U.S. military has launched its ninth strike against an alleged drug-carrying vessel, killing at least three people in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

The US military has been targeting waters off South America, where much of the cocaine from the world’s largest producers is smuggled.

• Guest: Dr Christopher Sabatini, Senior Research Fellow for Latin America, US and the Americas Programme at Chatham House
• Producer: Teodora Agarici

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

Artists are passing the hat around today, asking Australians to help sustain the creative work they love.

AusArt Day is billed as a national giving drive — with projects around the country to raise funds and awareness for films, festivals, music, magazines, dance, drama and everything in-between.

• Guest: Wesley Enoch, playwright and director and chair of Creative Australia.
• Producers: Jason Whittaker and Oscar Coleman

More than 100 countries set sail to cut global shipping emissions this week -- only for the deal to mysteriously sink.

Pressure from the United States and Saudi Arabia has now delayed the landmark agreement.

• Guest: Michael Brear, Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Melbourne and Director of the Net Zero Australia Project
• Producer: Brooke Young

Forget the lion-tamers, sword-swallowers and bearded ladies.

The art of circus has evolved over the years, showcasing feats of strength and creativity and even holding up a mirror to society and culture.

For decades, Antonella Thomas has helped to reshape the circus in Australia, co-founding Rock'n'Roll Circus in the late 80s, then the influential Vulcana Circus in Brisbane in the mid-90s.

After several years at Circus Oz, she now teaches at the National Institute of Circus Arts.

Guest: Antonella Thomas, circus educator and creator, Course Convenor for Circus History and Culture at the National Institute of Circus Arts

Legal experts, architects and tenants will gather at a public forum in Melbourne today to oppose the demolition of dozens of the city's public housing towers.

In 2023, former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews declared 44 towers would be knocked down by 2051 — to be replaced with a mix of public, social and private housing.

But the plan remains controversial, with questions remaining over the economic, social and environmental impacts.

• GUEST: Dr Kate Shaw, urban geographer at the University of Melbourne
• PRODUCER: Brooke Young

The administrators of Regional Express Airlines-- also known as Rex-- say they've found an American buyer for the carrier... which went into voluntary administration in July last year.

The government agreed to underwrite continued operations of the passenger service until this December, while administrators searched for a buyer.

• Guest: Senator Bridget McKenzie, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development
• Producer: Isadora Bogle

The United Nations' highest court says Israel must allow the UN agency, UNRWA, to deliver aid into Gaza.

Meanwhile, Israel has denied it has violated international law, saying the court's proceedings are biased, and the country didn't attend hearings in April. However, the country provided a 38-page written submission for the court to consider.

• Guest: Chris Sidoti, human rights lawyer and a commissioner on the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory
• Producers: Oscar Coleman and Teodora Agarici

Australia's critical minerals deal with the United States is expected to pump billions of dollars more into the sector.

But questions have also been raised about the broader impacts including potential environmental, social and cultural consequences. Guest: Susan Park, Professor of Global Governance in International Relations, University of Sydney

New Zealand is bracing for a so-called mega-strike with approximately 100,000 public sector workers in health and education expected to walk off the job.

The government has claimed the strike action is politically motivated, but unions say it will continue despite wild weather wreaking havoc across the country.Guest: Jack Tame, journalist and broadcaster with TVNZ