ABC News Daily

It was another act of political violence in a nation too accustomed to assassinations.

Charlie Kirk, a 31-year-old right-wing political activist and staunch Trump supporter, was shot and killed while he addressed a crowd at Utah Valley University.

Today, Geoff Kabaservice from the centre-right think tank the Niskanen Center on what unfolded, and whether political figures are safe in America.

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Geoff Kabaservice, vice president for political studies at the Niskanen Center in Washington, DC

Donald Trump says he’s “not thrilled” following an Israeli attack on Doha, the capital of key US ally Qatar.

The strike targeted Hamas "senior leadership", with five of its members killed alongside a Qatari internal security forces member.

It’s clear the US was given very little notice before the attack unfolded - so will the US President do anything about it?

Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute on the consequences of Israel’s actions.

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Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington

At 94, Rupert Murdoch has finally achieved his succession plan.

The media mogul has secured a deal to have his son Lachlan take complete control of his empire once he dies, following a financial deal with his three older children, Prudence, Elisabeth and James.

Today, journalist Paddy Manning, author of The Successor, the first unauthorised biography of Lachlan Murdoch, on the deal and what it means for the media landscape.

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Paddy Manning, journalist

Erin Patterson, the so-called mushroom murderer, will spend at least the next 33 years in jail with parole a possibility but not a certainty when she’s 81 years old. 

As she sat in the courtroom the convicted triple murderer and mother of two showed no emotion, often with her eyes closed as Justice Christopher Beale handed down the life sentences.  

Today, criminologist Dr Xanthe Mallett explains what comes next for one of the most notorious killers in Australian history. 

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Dr Xanthe Mallett, associate professor of criminology at Central Queensland University

America’s next mining venture could be deep below the sea’s surface, removing nodules on the seabed full of the metals vital for the green energy transition. 

Polymetallic nodules are like golf balls which sit more than four kilometres deep and haven’t been touched for millions of years. 

An Australian-born businessman is leading the push to extract potentially trillions of dollars-worth of the material and he has the support of US President Donald Trump. 

Today, Four Corners reporter Mark Willacy on the potential and risks around seabed mining and what it could mean for Pacific nations. 

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Mark Willacy, Four Corners reporter

Donald Trump’s been so busy upending the norms of democracy, igniting trade disputes and failing to end wars, it’s hard to see how he’s had time for renovations. 

But the US president’s real estate development roots are on full show, from splashing gold around the Oval Office, to ripping up the grass in the White House Rose Garden, he’s on a mission to Trumpify the symbol of American democracy and power. 

Today, policy editor at The Bulwark, Mona Charen on what Trump’s up to and what it says about his leadership. 

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Mona Charen, The Bulwark policy editor

Every year tens of thousands of Australians turn to IVF to start or grow a family.

But is it an industry that can be fully trusted given recent revelations of embryo and sperm mix-ups and women giving birth to strangers’ babies?

Today, ABC journalist Grace Tobin on her latest investigation into one couple’s fraught experience and why the rules need to change.

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Grace Tobin, ABC Investigations reporter

Since the fanfare surrounding Donald Trump’s face to face peace talks with the Russian President, perhaps unsurprisingly, the war continues in Ukraine. 

That’s partly because as part of any deal, Vladimir Putin wants Ukraine to hand over the entire eastern region of Donbas. It’s a demand that Ukraine rejects.  

So, what is so important to Putin about that region?  

Today, John Haltiwanger from Foreign Policy magazine, explains why Donbas is at the heart of Putin’s war. 

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John Haltiwanger, staff writer at Foreign Policy magazine

It’s one man against the might of the Victorian police force as accused police killer Dezi Freeman remains on the run.  

On Monday, Victoria Police suggested someone might be helping the fugitive and they should contact police. 

So, how are police approaching the search and how long are they willing to keep it going? 

Today, Vince Hurley, a criminologist and former police officer and hostage negotiator on the likely police tactics and whether they should re-consider how they approach so-called sovereign citizens. 

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Dr Vince Hurley, fmr NSW police officer and criminologist at Macquarie University

Could artificial intelligence be key to improving Australia’s living standards?

A Productivity Commission report suggests the roll out of the technology could inject more than a hundred billion dollars into the economy over the next decade. 

But there’s a catch. If AI can take over from workers on some tasks, are swathes of humans set to lose their jobs? 

Today, Toby Walsh, the chief scientist at the AI Institute at the University of New South Wales, on whether it's time for the government to step in. 

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Toby Walsh, Chief Scientist at UNSW.ai, the AI Institute of University of New South Wales Sydney