Claire Nichols from The Book Show joined RN Breakfast to recommend a couple of new novels to take you in to different lives and worlds.

The Spoiled Heart by the British writer Sunjeev Sahota and some Australian fiction Dirt Poor Islanders by Winnie Dunn.

Guest: Claire Nichols, host of The Book Show

'The Spoiled Heart' and 'Dirt Poor Islanders' - Books with Claire Nichols

RN Breakfast daily stories separated out for easy listening. RN Breakfast is the program informed Australians wake up to. Start each day with comprehensive coverage and analysis of national and international events, and hear interviews with the people who matter today—along with those who'll be making news tomorrow.

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As protests continue, university leaders in Australia are trying to calm tensions, while emphasising they have "zero tolerance" for racism or harassment.

Shadow Education Minister Sarah Henderson has declared that the University of Sydney is "not a safe space" for Jewish students. Mark Scott, Vice-Chancellor, University of Sydney rejects that idea, and says "there is space" for groups with divergent opinions to have respectful conversations on campus.

Featured: Mark Scott, Vice-Chancellor, University of Sydney.

Australian universities reject 'not safe' label

Following the lead of colleges in the US, pro-Palestine encampments have begun appearing at universities across Australia. 

So far there haven't been any crackdowns on protesters here, but it has made some students increasingly uneasy. At Melbourne University yesterday, tensions threatened to boil over.

Featured:Douglas Mann, 19-year-old student at University of Melbourne

Tension at pro-Palestine campus protests in Australia

In a statement, the group praised the "bravery" of students involved and criticised the White House for its Gaza policy. Its a clear rebuke from the Democrats' official collegiate arm who historically work in partnership with the Party and whoever leads it.

While the College Democrats reiterated its support for Biden and other Democrats in the upcoming election, they also issued a warning to the president's campaign.

Guest: Sunjay Muralitharan, National Vice President, College Democrats

Guest: Sunjay Muralitharan, National Vice President, College Democrats

College Democrats back protests, criticise Biden

Police have used tear gas and water cannons on protesters who have taken  to the streets to protest against a 'foreign agents' bill. If passed, the law would require organisations to state whether they receive overseas funding. 

Opponents say the measures are similar to the ones used in Russia to stamp out dissent. The law could also damage Georgia's hopes of joining the European Union.  

Guest: Natalie Sabanadze, a Senior Research Fellow on the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House and a former Georgian Ambassador to Brussels

Police clash with protesters in Georgia

The Solomon Islands have a new Prime Minister. Former Foreign Minister Jeremiah Manele defeated Opposition Leader Matthew Wale in a vote of 31 to 18. 

As foreign minister,  Manele was one of the key players behind the country's "look north" foreign policy, and its controversial security pact with China. Now, Manele says he wants to pursue a foreign policy of "friends to all, enemies to none" where China and Australia are treated equally.

Guest:Chrisnrita Aumanu-Leong, the ABC's Solomon Islands reporter

'The Spoiled Heart' and 'Dirt Poor Islanders' - Books with Claire Nichols

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