RN Breakfast - Separate stories podcast

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that begins the process of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, fulfilling a long-held conservative desire to reduce federal influence in education. 

The Greens have renewed their push for divestiture powers to break up what it has described as a supermarket "duopoly".

International students are 'scapegoats' when it comes to copping the blame for Australia's rental woes — that's according to a new paper published by researchers at the University of South Australia. Last year, the Albanese Government announced that new foreign student enrolments would be capped amid community frustration around the housing market crisis.  Guest: Associate Professor Michael Mu,  the University of South Australia. Producer: Kelly-Anne Taylor

Australia's consumer watchdog has concluded suppliers fear retribution from the nation's major supermarkets, especially farmers selling fresh produce. The ACCC's final report from its year-long supermarket inquiry has found Coles and Woolworths are the most profitable supermarket businesses in the world, and to combat this market dominance, it's made 20 recommendations. But will these recommendations change anything? Guest: David Jochinke, President, National Farmers Federation (NFF)  Producer: Lexie Jeuniewic 

The Victorian government's bail reforms will become law after a marathon sitting of parliament. It comes as new data reveals crime rates in the state increased by 13 percent last year, with youth offenders a driving force behind the uptick.  Guest: Brad Battin, Leader of the Opposition in Victoria Producer: Kelly-Anne Taylor 

Two-time gold medallist Kirsty Coventry becomes the International Olympic Committee's first female and African president in its 130-year history.

Synthetic opioids up to 40 times more powerful than fentanyl have been detected in Australian wastewater for the first time, according to new research by the University of Queensland. The finding comes as Australia faces a shortage of naloxone the medication used to reverse or reduce the effects of opioids, prompting urgent calls for a national emergency plan to respond to an impending public health crisis. Guest: Dr Krista Siefried, Clinical Research Lead & Deputy Director The National Centre for Clinical Research on Emerging Drugs Producer: Grace Stranger

Almost half of all permanent migrants are working below their skill level, and Australia is failing to realise the full potential of the migrant population.

In the lead up to the Federal Budget, the Government tried to take the ascendancy on health, moving to cap the cost of medication on the scheme.The Opposition quickly backed the idea, before Opposition Leader Peter Dutton floated a referendum on deporting criminals who are dual-citizens. 

The competition watchdog has found Australia's supermarkets are among the most profitable in the world and have increased their profit margins throughout the cost of living crisis.

Turkish police have arrested the mayor of Istanbul, who's seen as a key rival to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Ekrem İmamoğlu's allies have condemned the arrest as a politicised attempt to silence dissent. Guest: Mehmet Celik, Editorial co-ordinator, Daily Sabah  Producer: Anne Barker

In a nation-wide first initiative, the New South Wales government is pushing to introduce tough regulations on the design, reuse, and disposal of lithium batteries. There are up to 12,000 fires each year caused by these batteries, with New South Wales Fire and Rescue recording 384 incidents and multiple fatalities in the last year alone. Guest: Penny Sharpe, NSW Energy Minister Producer: Brooke Young

Palestinian health officials say more than 90 people have been killed, and dozens more wounded, in a third day of Israeli air strikes across Gaza. It brings the death toll in the past three days to over 500 people , according to the health officials. Medical staff say Israeli attacks have targeted residential areas in both northern and southern areas of the Gaza Strip, while families including women and children were sleeping.  Guest: Doron Spielman, former Israeli Defence Forces spokesperson Producer: Anne Barker

Fresh jobs data is due out today and the Reserve Bank will be watching closely, as Australia prepares for another interest rate decision on April 1. Analysts expect the jobless rate to remain steady at 4.1 per cent,  despite earlier predictions the unemployment rate was set to creep up at the start of this year. Guest: Murray Watt, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Producer: Jacqueline Breen

The Australian National University (ANU) is the latest of Australia's major universities set to lose US funding, as the Trump administration pushes universities and institutions to justify why they should receive research grants.

The ACT's Integrity Commission has found Walter Sofronoff, the retired Supreme Court Judge who led the board of inquiry into the rape prosecution of Bruce Lerhmann, engaged in "serious corrupt conduct". Guest: Suzanne Le Mire is Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education and Student Experience at the University of Queensland, and a Professor of Law specialising in judicial ethics Producer: Tim Skelton Producer: Tim Skelton

A day after Russia's president rejected a full ceasefire proposal, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke for the first time since their tense Oval Office meeting last month. 

Australia boasts vibrant and beautiful coral reefs country-wide, but, now, at the World Heritage Site, Ningaloo, in Western Australia the coral been sapped of its colour. And, bleaching could become a more prevalent issue due to climate change. Joining Radio National Breakfast to talk about coral bleaching is marine biologist and associate professor at Murdoch University, Mike Van Keulen. He s also the Director of the Coral Bay Research Station at Ningaloo Reef. GUEST: Mike Van Keulen, Marine biologist and associate professor at Murdoch University PRODUCER: Kelly-Anne Taylor

The number of people in New South Wales who are holding down a job, but experiencing homelessness,  has jumped by 66 per cent in the past two years.

The energy regulator's annual Gas Statement of Opportunities has found that while gas consumption is continuing to decline in Australia, production is also falling, leaving shortfalls from 2028 unless more investments are made in the sector. The findings come as Opposition leader Peter Dutton has pledged to approve Woodside's North West Shelf gas project in Western Australia within 30 days if he wins the next federal election. Guest: Daniel Westerman, chief executive of the Australian Energy Market Operator Producer: Grace Stranger