News Breakfast

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Hi everyone. This Twitter account is closing on Monday February 20. Please follow @abcnews for the latest news and information. You can find News Breakfast here on ABC iview: iview.abc.net.au/show/news-brea… and we are still on Facebook here: facebook.com/breakfastnews/

He's spent decades as a fearless singer-songwriter and activist - and now Billy Bragg is delighting fans with a run of concerts in Australia & NZ. Between a busy touring schedule, he stopped by the studio for a chat about his performances and his thoughts on Australian politics.

Richard Dawkins is one of the world's best-known writers and critical thinkers. Five years since his last Australian tour, he's back for a series of unscripted conversations around the country - and he stopped by the studio for a chat before it begins.

"What I'm hoping is that every Australian can see this is a unifying moment. It is a once in a generation opportunity for us to secure Indigenous rights in this country." New Greens First Nations spokesperson @dorinda_cox on the upcoming Voice to Parliament referendum.

There's a major development this morning for kids in Australia diagnosed with cancer. By the end of this year, all of them will be eligible for a world-leading treatment, Michelle Haber, @KidsCancerInst executive director, says it's a very exciting day.

Yesterday's #SuperBowl wasn't just a memorable day for the Kansas City Chiefs... it was also incredibly special for Melbourne man Eamonn Dixon. He caught the match-winning field goal - and caught it all on camera - and he shared his story with Tony 🏈

Beloved actor Miranda Tapsell is back on our screens with the latest season of the ABC's popular kids show, Kangaroo Beach. She joined us earlier for a chat about the new role and the importance of water safety - especially for young children 🏖️

New Zealand has declared a nationwide State of Emergency as Cyclone Gabrielle lashes the North Island. It's only the third such declaration in the nation's history, and Lewis Ferris from @MetService says lives are at risk and multiple areas are affected.

An emergency warning remains in place for residents in parts of Queensland's Western Downs, with 18 bushfires burning in the region. Brad Commens from @QldFES is urging those in the area to remain vigilant.

The next Olympics may be more than a year away, but that's not stopping 13-year-old skateboarder Chloe Covell who has just won silver at the world championships. She's just returned and is now getting ready to head back to school, but she stopped by for a chat with Tony first 🛹

"I'm absolutely overjoyed... the biggest winner is hope." Jana Favero from @ASRC1 on the news that thousands of refugees on temporary protection visas will be allowed to stay in Australia permanently.

"I'm glad he was on my team rather than the opposition!" @jordan_mailata's former teammate, Daniel Hadchiti, speaks from Bankstown about the @Eagles star's chances in today's Super Bowl.

Today marks 15 years since Kevin Rudd's apology to the Stolen Generations, and the anniversary is being marked with fresh investment towards Closing the Gap. Senator Patrick Dodson says it was a significant day & the money will go a long way to improve housing and water supply.

Some of the country's best cricketers with a disability have been competing at the National Inclusion Championships in Brisbane this week. Sixteen teams from across Australia are taking part – and @mf_rennie stopped by to see how it all goes down 🏏

"Please take care and heed the advice... this is probably the worst one we've seen for a long time." George Plant, Norfolk Island Emergency Management Controller, on the preparations underway for category 3 Cyclone Gabrielle - which is expected to hit the island on the weekend.

Dozens of South Australian council members are likely to lose their positions for failing to disclose gifts given to them during their election campaigns. SA's Local Government Minister, Geoff Brock, says up to four mayors could be implicated.

Vladimir Putin has been implicated in the downing of flight MH17, with prosecutors finding he likely supplied the missile as they suspend their investigation. Paul Guard's parents, Roger and Jill, were among the victims on the flight - and he says it's a shocking development.

Tech giants Google and Microsoft are going head-to-head embracing tech behind artificial intelligence chatbots, both announcing changes to put a greater focus on AI. Former Wikimedia CEO @krmaher says it's an important time for the future of online search.

US-China tensions have worsened, the war in Ukraine is approaching its first anniversary, and India is rising in power. Walter Russell Mead is a veteran foreign affairs commentator, and he stopped by to talk through some of the big global topics making headlines at present.