Rn Breakfast - Separate Stories Podcast

Some of the world's top swimmers have been left divided by a decision to effectively ban transgender athletes from elite competition. Swimming's world governing body FINA announced yesterday that transgender athletes will need to complete their transition by the age of 12 to compete.

The Coalition has accused Labor of being on a parliamentary go slow - with parliament due to sit for just 8 weeks this year. David Crowe joins RN Breakfast to discuss the latest developments in federal politics.

Health Minister Mark Butler is attending a G20 meeting, which is thrashing out ways to better prepare and respond to global pandemics. He says the Labor Government will announce a Royal Commission or other 'deep' inquiry into the handling of the COVID-19 crisis, once the immediate challenge of winter is overcome.

The NSW government has announced a number of initiatives aiming to boost gender equality and increase women's workforce participation. Many of the key recommendations were put forward by an expert panel, chaired by President of Chief Executive Women, Sam Mostyn.

States and territories are set to have greater power to decide who gets to supply the grid, according to a draft plan on a capacity market issued by the Energy Security Board. It could mean that gas and even coal will have a role to play - meanwhile, overseas, Germany has restarted its coal fired power plants, as Europe tries to conserve its gas.

Australia will attend, as an observer, a UN meeting of countries that have outlawed nuclear weapons. It comes as a group of 55 former Australian diplomats have written an open letter to the Prime Minister urging the government to sign up to a treaty banning nuclear weapons.

A formal count from Sunday's historic election is still underway in Colombia, ahead of the country's first leftist president officially being declared the winner. Former rebel Gustavo Petro narrowly won a run off election over a real-estate millionaire, ushering in a new era of politics for Colombia.

STC Artistic Director  Kip Williams has adapted Oscar Wilde’s only novel into a breathtaking one-person show that seamlessly blends the conventions of cinema and live theatre to stunning effect.

As some of the world's greatest swimmers competed in the World Championships in Budapest, a decision that will redefine the sport was made behind closed doors. The governing body FINA has voted to ban transgender athletes from elite women's swimming if they've gone through male puberty.

Predictions that Australia's remarkable property boom would come to an end have accompanied the last two big economic shocks. But 2022 is shaping up differently. Inflation is soaring, interest rates are rising sharply and household debt is still at record levels.

National Cabinet has agreed to urgently address an unprecedented blowout in visa processing times which could jeapordise the economic recovery from the covid lockdowns. New Immigration Minister Andrew Giles says speeding up approvals is his number one priority to allow skilled migrants, international students and tourists to enter the country without delay

The Albanese Government wants the long running case against Julian Assange brought to a close. The Chief Political Correspondent for The Conversation Michelle Grattan joins RN Breakfast to discuss the latest developments in federal politics.

The Energy Security Board has recommended fossil fuels be included in a proposed capacity mechanism to guarnatee reliable electricity supplies. Greens Leader Adam Bandt says coal and gas generators will be paid compensation even though they have caused the current energy crisis by gaming the market.

Stella Assange, the wife of the WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange, says she will appeal against Britain's decision to approve his extradition to the US to face criminal charges. The Wikileaks co-founder is charged with breaching the Espionage Act and faces up to 175 years in jail if convicted.

New research from the Australian National University shows the majority of Australians are feeling positive about the country's direction after the 2022 federal election.

National COVID reporting data might be falling short of true infection rates in Australia, with new antibody research revealing cases well above official figures.

Nicola Sturgeon plans to hold a second referendum on Scottish independence in October next year if her government secures the legal approval to stage it.

Britain has approved the extradition of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to the US after he fought for years to remain in the United Kingdom. WikiLeaks says it will challenge the order, but what comes next and what appeal avenues are available?