Late Night Live — Full program podcast

Gaza is today in ruins, with over seventy thousand dead and buildings everywhere rendered rubble by the onslaught from Israel since the Hamas attack of October 7, 2023. Many argue the war on Gaza began at this point, but historian Julie Norman has traced the history of both the land, its people and the terrible wars that have plagued what was once a beautiful and prosperous place for a century and destroyed the dreams of the Palestinian people. Guest: Julie M. Norman, Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at University College London, and an Associate Fellow at Chatham House. Author of Gaza: The Dream and the Nightmare, co-authored with Maia Carter Hallward, Director of the PhD Program in International Conflict Management and Professor of Middle East Politics at Kennesaw State UniversityProducer: Catherine Zengerer

NSW Police responded with violence to a Sydney protest against Israeli President Herzog's support of Israel's war on Gaza. An American journalist describes the challenge of working through the Epstein files. And an Australian university librarian found a drawing and an inscription in the back of a very old book, which helped to reveal a 500-year-old mystery about the life of a famous Italian painter.

In parliament's second sitting week of the year, the Liberals are contemplating "non-existence". Australia recently formalised a major security treaty with Indonesia, which Albanese described as a "watershed moment". Plus: the toads are feral. How did cane toads get this way? And what can Australia do about these hopping menaces?

An unauthorised biography of US broadcaster Tucker Carlson shows how he wields his influence. And it's 100 years since the creation of Winnie the Pooh. 

Ian Dunt does not spare Peter Mandelson, the former ambassador to the US who was pictured in his underwear in Jeffrey Epstein's mansion and accused of sharing "market-sensitive information" with Epstein. That's just one of the bombshells from the latest tranche of documents from Epstein's files. In other world news, India has cut two huge trade deals recently; the first with the European Union, followed by one with the United States. Then: a new documentary that exposes the trade in polar bear fur.

US politics commentator Bruce Shapiro looks at the aftermath of the ICE killing of Alex Pretti. President Trump's intended intervention in Iran seems less clear. Professor Ali Ansari, from St Andrews University, canvasses the geopolitical implications of any international interventions. And artist Peter Drew, who is responsible for the 'Aussie' posters around our cities, wants to engage with young right wing men.

As parliament returns, the conservative side of politics is in a moment of upheaval. Leadership questions hang over Littleproud and Ley, and One Nation surges in the polls. Also visiting Canberra next week will be Israel's president, Isaac Herzog, in a trip to mourn the victims of the Bondi attack — but it's a visit that's drawing scrutiny from critics of Israel's war in Gaza. Then: the story of the Colleano family, who gained international fame as circus stars... while hiding their Aboriginal identity on the world stage.

"Our politics is dumb and completely short-sighted and personally obsessed." At 93 Barry Jones, former ALP National President, writer and public intellectual, has a thing or two to say about politics and society. He sits down with David Marr for a long discussion on the nature of parliament, his frustrations about climate inaction, his relationship with Bob Hawke, his view on AUKUS and the numinous experience of hearing the music you love, performed exquisitely. Guest: Barry Jones, former ALP politician, writer and social activist.Producers: David Marr and Catherine Zengerer Barry's music list: Maria João Pires playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 4 with Herbert Blomstedt conducting the NHK Symphony Orchestra. Barry says: “It's like one of the great experiences. Your heart beat changes, your breathing changes, everything changes. It's such a wonderful work.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_juGZePAxpQPires playing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No 3 with Frans Brüggen and the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century. Barry says: “A stunning recording.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hR95EK9fEKo&list=RDhR95EK9fEKo&start_radio=1Alfred Della singing Esurientes implevit bonis from Bach’s Magnificat in D major with the Kalmar Orchestra conducted by Pierre Colombo. Barry says: “Esurientes is just extraordinary.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Amko575QCEBach’s Fuge à la Gigue BWV 577. Tom Koopman on the organ of the Walloon Church of AmsterdamBarry says: “A sort of hustling thing. Get out, get out, get out, get out and do things.”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FHb4d8TwIE

The Australian Coalition is no longer, and the newly alone Nationals are rethinking their leadership. We assess the role of the Nationals in the Coalition over the years, and forecast what might happen next. And the little known story of Thomas Willing, who bankrolled – and in the process helped save – the American Revolution, and then fundamentally shaped the financial architecture of the young Republic. 

Donald Trump will send his border czar to Minnesota and says his administration is "reviewing everything" in relation to the shooting death of nurse, Alex Pretti, by federal agents in Minneapolis. Bruce Shapiro looks at the political backlash in the US, and what it means for the Trump administration. Plus, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is losing faith in the International rules based order - his speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos went viral. And the tiniest creatures you've never heard of- springtails.