It’s been an ordeal for those who embarked on a cruise across in early April and it’s not over yet. 

The ship's passengers are being repatriated across the world after potential exposure to hantavirus, which caused the death of three passengers. 

Among those heading home are four Australians who will soon be placed in a quarantine facility in Western Australia. 

What is the virus, how does it spread and should we be worried about it?  

Today epidemiologist Raina MacIntyre from UNSW on everything you need to know about hantavirus. 

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Raina MacIntyre, epidemiologist and Professor of Global Biosecurity at the University of New South Wales

The Treasurer Jim Chalmers has delivered his 2026 budget, unveiling a new tax cut and some of the most significant tax changes in decades.  

Delivered as war impacts the economy, it’s being sold as a budget that addresses the growing inequality between generations, with the treasurer declaring Labor is on the hard road of reform. 

But will changes to taxes on property investors and family trusts really level the playing field?

The ABC’s chief business correspondent Ian Verrender joins Sam Hawley in the budget lock-up in Sydney. 

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Ian Verrender, ABC Chief Business Correspondent

For decades, Russia’s Victory Day parade has brought tanks and intercontinental ballistic missiles to Red Square to celebrate the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany. 

But not this year. Russia’s President Vladimir Putin scaled back the event due to the risk of a Ukrainian long range attack on Moscow. 

At the same time, media reports citing a European intelligence service suggest security is increasing around Putin and there’s even a risk of a coup. 

Today, Matthew Sussex, Russia expert at the Australian National University on Putin’s paranoia and whether Ukraine has cards to play in the conflict. 

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Matthew Sussex, associate professor at the Centre for European Studies at the Australian National University

Why is it up to the Reserve Bank to control inflation with interest rates? 

Imagine if there were other tools that spread the pain to more people, not just those repaying a home loan. 

Perhaps the government could force workers to put more money into their superannuation accounts or move the GST up and down depending on the inflation rate. 

Today, independent economist Chris Richardson assesses the options. 

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Chris Richardson, independent economist

It’s a new sort of warfare and it’s not taking place on the battlefield.

Backers of Iran are creating so-called ‘slopaganda’ using AI generated videos to mock the United States and President Donald Trump. 

But while Iranian diplomats are sharing the viral videos, are they actually changing anyone’s mind? 

Today, Brett Schafer from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue on how Iran is using meme warfare to soften the regime’s image. 

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Brett Schafer, senior director at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue

Anthony Albanese is about to break a major election promise. 

Next week’s budget will reveal just how dramatic the government’s changes to generous tax breaks for property investors will be. 

The expected shake up to negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount follows the prime minister’s promises during the last election campaign to leave the arrangements as they were.

Have concerns around generational inequality in housing made breaking an election promise feasible?

Today, host of ABC Radio’s AM program, Melissa Clarke, on the prime minister’s gamble. 

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Melissa Clarke, political correspondent and host of ‘AM’

The US President Donald Trump has launched what he’s calling ‘Project Freedom’, promising to rescue commercial ships stranded in the Strait of Hormuz.

Already Iran has resumed firing on the UAE and the US says it’s destroyed Iranian military boats in the Strait.

Today, Jennifer Parker, a former Royal Australian Navy warfare officer, on the new phase of the Iran war. 

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Jennifer Parker, Adjunct Professor at the Defence and Security Institute at The University of Western Australia 

The war in Iran is creating economic uncertainty around the world, with higher inflation putting pressure on central banks, including the RBA, to hike interest rates.

So, why are stocks still surging on Wall Street, driving the value of the world’s biggest sharemarkets to record highs? 

Today the ABC’s finance expert Alan Kohler on why investors remain so optimistic and it’s got a lot to do with AI.  

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Alan Kohler, ABC finance expert

The nation was shocked when 95-year-old Clare Nowland died after being tasered by a NSW police officer at an aged care facility in 2023. 

While police forces defend their policies and training, there are concerns that officers draw the weapon too quickly, not just when danger is imminent. 

There’s also a controversial medical diagnosis called “excited delirium” that’s been used to explain why it’s not the device that’s causing deaths. 

Are the devices really as safe as their maker insists?

Today, reporter Grace Tobin on her Four Corners investigation into the multi-billion-dollar Taser industry. 

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Grace Tobin, ABC investigative reporter

In the past week Donald Trump’s obsession with building his grand ballroom has reared its head again.

He was even talking about it after the suspected third attempt on his life. 

The US president has torn down parts of the East Wing of the White House to make way for the huge structure that will dominate the White House. 

Today, Dan Diamond, White House reporter at the Washington Post on legal efforts to stop the president and what Trump’s motive really is. 

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Dan Diamond, Washington Post White House reporter 

The growth of the NDIS is about to be slashed, but what tool will the government use to determine who gets to stay and whose disability supports are cut?

Today, we speak with Martin Laverty, an architect of the NDIS and now head of disability services provider, Aruma. 

We also speak with Jess Howlett who has autism, about her fears she’ll be unfairly removed from the scheme.

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Jess Howlett, diagnosed with level 2 autism

Martin Laverty, chief executive of disability accommodation and services provider Aruma