Israel’s killing of seven aid workers in Gaza has been met with international outrage.

The workers at World Central Kitchen, including an Australian woman named Zomi Frankcom, were providing critical relief to Palestinians in the form of food. 

Their deaths now risk entrenching starvation further, as aid organisations begin to doubt whether they’re receiving the protections and safety they should be offered in a war zone. 

Today, world editor for The Saturday Paper, Jonathan Pearlman, on Australia’s response to the Israeli attack and whether this is a turning point in the Middle East.

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Guest: World editor for The Saturday Paper and editor of Australian Foreign Affairs, Jonathan Pearlman

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Donald Trump is known for being the loudest, most controversial and outburst-prone politician of our time. 

Now, a judge has issued a gag order against him in an attempt to prevent further outbursts.

Can Donald Trump really be told to be quiet? And will orders from the courts begin to hamper his chances of being re-elected as president?

Today, senior fellow at the United States Studies Centre and author of Trump’s Australia Bruce Wolpe, on whether Trump’s legal battles are finally catching up with him.

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Guest: Senior fellow at the United States Studies Centre, and author of Trump’s Australia, Bruce Wolpe

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Some of Australia’s most powerful religious bodies have taken aim at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and also the Greens – accusing them of threatening the future of religious freedom.

But the cause of this backlash is simply the possibility that the government would work with the Greens to reform a 40-year-old loophole in our discrimination laws.

So, what’s really at stake? And is there about to be a showdown between religious lobbies and the prime minister?

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe, on religion’s influence in Canberra and the political strategy behind Albanese’s latest move. 

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Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe

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With an election looming in the United Kingdom and chaos among the British Conservative Party, 2024 could see a new prime minister taking residence at 10 Downing Street. 

Amid the political drama, a right-wing broadcaster named GB News has been stirring up debates, igniting culture wars and making headlines for its provocative social commentary.

So, what is GB News? Who’s behind it? And what role has the Australian media played in its rise in popularity? 

Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper, Amy Fallon, on the Australian inspiration behind Britain’s divisive broadcaster. 

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Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper, Amy Fallon

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Over the long weekend, we're featuring episodes from the podcast Read This. Today, we have a treat for those who think about the Roman Empire more than once a week.

Even if you’re not an obsessive Ancient Rome aficionado, you may have heard of Mary Beard. With more than 20 books to her name, including the wildly successful SPQR, Mary might be most famous for her work as a BBC host for shows such as Pompeii: Life and Death in a Roman Town and Julius Caesar Revealed. Her latest book is Emperor of Rome and this week on the show she sits down with Michael to discuss her life sentence — the half dozen words that set her on the path to becoming Britain’s best-known classicist — and why the Roman Empire is so misunderstood.

Reading list:

SPQR, Mary Beard, 2015

Twelve Caesars, Mary Beard, 2021

Emperor of Rome, Mary Beard, 2023

Meditations, Marcus Aurealius, 167 A.C.E..

Tidelines, Sarah Sasson, 2024

You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store. 

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Guest: Mary Beard

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Over the long weekend, we're featuring episodes from the podcast Read This.

In this episode, host Michael Williams chats with author Briohny Doyle, whose most recent novel Why We Are Here explores the complexities of grief, both individual and collective. They discuss the role of writing during the pandemic and how relationships with non-human others enable us to access repressed parts of ourselves.

Reading list:

The Island Will Sink, Briohny Doyle, 2013

Adult Fantasy, Briohny Doyle, 2017

Echolalia, Briohny Doyle, 2021

Why We Are Here, Briohny Doyle, 2023

The Great Undoing, Sharlene Allsopp, 2024

Tremor, Teju Cole, 2023

You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store. 

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Guest: Briohny Doyle

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Many Australians could have been infected with Covid-19 for the second, third or even fourth time in the last couple of months.

That’s because a new variant of the virus has caused the biggest wave in over a year.

But while for many the symptoms are milder, and the risks of serious illness are dropping – what do we need to know about the new variants still emerging? And what evidence do we have about multiple reinfections?

Today, applied mathematician, expert in respiratory diseases, and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Dr James Wood, on the latest Covid wave and what could be in store this year. 

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Guest: Applied mathematician, expert in respiratory diseases, and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Dr James Wood

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Yesterday, Labor’s emergency legislation on immigration detention was slammed by crossbenchers and the Greens as a “race to the bottom” on the way governments treat asylum seekers.

But in the lead up to that move, criticisms that Labor is trying to be tougher than the Coalition on immigration laws have been growing louder. 

So, why is Labor intent on being known for its hardline border policy?

Today, national correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe on whether Labor is attempting to one up Peter Dutton on immigration. 

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Guest: national correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe

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If a child experiences a complex mental health condition like psychosis, everyone would agree that someone at such a young age needs careful and considered care. If drugs are prescribed, the benefits must outweigh the risks. 

But there are fears that isn’t always happening, and that growing demand for mental healthcare means the people who need the most specific treatment aren’t always getting it.

Today, contributor to The Saturday Paper and author of The One Thing We’ve Never Spoken About, Elfy Scott, on how mental health care for young people is becoming an issue of equality.

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Guest: Contributor to The Saturday Paper and author of ‘The One Thing We’ve Never Spoken About’, Elfy Scott

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An Australian court once ruled that the federal government has a duty of care to young people, to protect them from harm the climate crisis will inflict during their lifetimes.

That decision was overturned on appeal, but today there’s an inquiry looking into how that responsibility could be enshrined in law via the parliament.

It’ss been a long journey for the young woman who first brought that case against the federal Environment minister – something she did while still in high school.

Today, climate activist and contributor to The Saturday Paper Anjali Sharma, on her campaign to legislate a duty of care and taking the fight to Parliament House.

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Guest: Climate activist and contributor to The Saturday Paper, Anjali Sharma

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