ABC News Daily

Has US President Donald Trump actually brought an end to the war in Gaza?

After months of negotiations there’s been a breakthrough, with Hamas agreeing to release the remaining Israeli hostages as part of the first phase of a peace deal.

Today, international relations expert Rajan Menon on what we know so far, and whether this could be the end to hostilities.

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Rajan Menon, professor emeritus of international relations at the City College of New York

Editor’s note: At one point in this episode there is a reference to ‘prisoners held by Hamas’. Those people are accurately described as hostages elsewhere in the episode. 

It’s been more than six weeks since Dezi Freeman allegedly shot and killed two police officers in Victoria and there’s still been no sight of him.

While the manhunt continues, police in Western Australia are taking action, swooping on people in the so-called sovereign citizen movement and confiscating their guns.

Today, Kaz Ross, a researcher into far-right ideology and extremism, on whether other states should be doing the same.

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Kaz Ross, independent researcher into far-right extremism, racism and conspiracy theories

Donald Trump says America is in armed conflict with drug cartels.

The US President has ordered the military to strike “narco-terrorists” in boats off the Venezuela coast, with no questions asked.

Today, Rachel VanLandingham, a former active-duty judge advocate in the US Air Force and law professor at Southwestern Law School in LA, on just how scary that is.

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Rachel VanLandingham, former judge advocate in the US Air Force and law professor at Southwestern Law School

Andrew Hastie has been seen as leadership material ever since he entered the parliament a decade ago.

But are his right-wing beliefs, which have brought the likes of Nigel Farage to prominence in the UK, attractive to enough voters here? 

Today, Tony Barry, a former Liberal Party strategist and director at RedBridge Group, on Andrew Hastie’s resignation from the Coalition front bench, and whether it’s a move that will pay off.

What happens if a financial planner takes your savings and gambles them away? 

They could go to jail, but you won’t be getting your money back. The bookies get to keep the gambling losses, even when it’s the proceeds of crime. 

Today, reporter Steve Cannane on his Four Corners investigation into the actions of the betting firms and why the federal government has been slow to take the industry on. 

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Steve Cannane, Four Corners reporter

Last time she released a new album, more than two million copies were sold or downloaded in the first week.

But can Taylor Swift beat that number again with the much anticipated release of her 12th album ‘The Life of a Showgirl’? 

And what is it that has made her one of the most successful artists of all time? 

Today, Harvard University professor Stephanie Burt, on why studying Swiftmania is a very worthy topic. 

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Stephanie Burt, Professor of English at Harvard University

Melatonin supplements have gained huge traction in the last few years because they can help bring on a good night’s sleep. 

But is it really safe, particularly for kids? 

Now, the Therapeutic Goods Administration has warned consumers to stop using imported melatonin products, after testing showed many do not meet local standards.

Today, paediatric sleep researcher Sarah Blunden on why the advice is changing.

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Professor Sarah Blunden, Head of Paediatric Sleep Research and Lecturer in Clinical Psychology at Central Queensland University

Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu have agreed to a new plan for peace in Gaza.

The leaders were in furious agreement that the proposal, which will see the US president initially lead Gaza’s redevelopment, is the best way forward.

Today, Guy Ziv, associate professor at American University’s School of International Service, on whether Hamas will really agree to the terms it wasn’t involved in negotiating.

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Guy Ziv, associate professor in the Department of Foreign Policy and Global Security, School of International Service, American University 

Donald Trump wants TikTok to be American owned and now a group of billionaire Trump supporters is buying it. 

But how will an American version of the popular Chinese app work, and what kind of influence could its new owners have on the videos its algorithm serves up? 

Today, tech expert and Crikey’s Associate Editor Cam Wilson on the deal and what it might mean for TikTok’s eight million Australian users.

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Cam Wilson, Tech expert and Crikey’s Associate Editor

There’s been a worrying trend in recent weeks with Russia violating the airspace of a growing number of European countries. 

Donald Trump thinks NATO powers should just shoot down the Russian aircraft, but what’s the better option? 

Today Max Bergmann, director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies on what Vladimir Putin is up to and what Europe should do about it.  

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Max Bergmann, director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies