Radio National Breakfast

Coverage and analysis of national and international events.

The Rufous  scrub-bird is one of the world's oldest surviving species of songbirds.The tiny endangered birds can only be found in isolated rainforest areas of south-eastern Australia, but scientists warn another bad fire season could wipe them out.Guest: Dr Brian Hawkins, senior threatened species officer at the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and WaterProducer: Pip Cook

The new year brings with it the start of Hollywood's annual awards season, where filmmakers and stars walk red carpets, give earnest speeches... its all leading up to the Oscars in mid-March.Yesterday, it was the Critics Choice Awards, which went to some frontrunners in the Oscars race.Guest: Wenlei Ma, culture editor of The NightlyProducer: Flint Duxfield

Reverend Bill Crews, founder of The Reverend Bill Crews Foundation, shares his summer reading list with Barbara Miller.Summer list: The Fabric of the Cosmos, Brian GreeneAbundance, Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson The works of Thomas Merton

Australia's red and yellow beach flags are one of the most recognisable symbols of surf safety in the world... but new research suggests they can also be dangerously confusing, particularly for tourists, migrants, and infrequent beachgoers.The debate has taken on new urgency, with a series of drowning deaths already recorded in Australia in the opening days of 2026.Guest: Dr Masaki Shibata, drowning prevention researcher in intercultural studies at Monash UniversityProducer: Jessica Lukjanow