Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast

As Myanmar prepares for its first elections since the military junta took over in 2021, a new documentary from Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit has revealed some of the horrific measures being used by security forces to maintain control, including forced conscription and interrogation centres where it is claimed that detainees are often tortured to death. The tactics are seeing people flee the country, and and the number of soldiers deserting the army is on the rise. Guest: Fiona Macgregor, senior producer of Myanmar Exposed, a series of reports by Al Jazeera’s Investigative Unit.Producer: Catherine Zengerer

As the Liberal Party joins the Nationals in ditching a net zero emissions target for 2050, what is the fate of the remaining moderate MPs in the Liberal Party? Plus, One Nation continues to gain ground in polling. Guest: Anna Henderson, Chief Political Correspondent, SBS 

Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel Laureate economist and former chief economist of the World Bank, discusses the pressing issue of global inequality. He highlights how policy choices have exacerbated this crisis, impacting democracy and fostering social unrest. Stiglitz proposes an international panel on inequality, drawing parallels with climate change. He critiques neoliberal policies and argues that addressing inequality can enhance economic performance. His insights reveal how extreme wealth concentration undermines society and calls for better resources management.

Gareth Evans, former Australian foreign minister and esteemed professor at ANU, dives into the pressing issues of nuclear arms control. He discusses the alarming rise in nuclear risks from major powers and highlights the failures of past arms agreements. Evans argues for Australia's leadership in a new arms control initiative, emphasizing the need for innovative strategies like a no-first-use policy. He also reflects on past nuclear near-misses, the irrationality of using such weapons, and the complex dynamics around Israel's nuclear status and Iran's ambitions.

Historian Henry Reynolds, known for his work on Australia's frontier history and Indigenous relations, delves into the untold stories of northern Australia. He discusses the distinctiveness of this region beyond the Tropic of Capricorn, the reasons behind the success of southern colonization contrasted with northern failures, and the rich presence of Indigenous Nations. Reynolds also highlights the complexities of multicultural interactions, economic aspirations, and the legacy of racial theories, urging us to view history with empathy and curiosity.

The University of Melbourne is celebrating 70 years of Australian computer classes, which were first taught on CSIRAC, the earliest computer ever built in Australia and the oldest surviving computer in the world. What did it take to run a 2,500kg computer back in the 1950s?Guest: Dr Peter Thorne, former head of the Department of Computer Science at the University of Melbourne (and, long before that, the weekend service operator for CSIRAC)Producer: Alex Tighe

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to sue the BBC for 1.6 million dollars, over an inaccurate clip aired on its flagship documentary program, Panorama. Despite the editing mistake, Ian Dunt argues that attacks on the British broadcaster are part of a populist assaultGUEST: Ian Dunt: iNews columnist and regular LNL commentatorPRODUCER: Ali Benton

On October 28, conservative Governor of Rio, Cláudio Castro, ordered over 2,500 police officers and soldiers to storm the city’s favelas at dawn. The goal was to capture leaders of the notorious Comando Vermelho (Red Command) gang. "Operation Containment” was a massacre – at least 120 people were killed, sparking international outrage about police brutality in the country which is hosting the CoP Climate Summit. The dead included a 14-year-old and a 19-year-old who was decapitated and had his head exhibited on a tree.Guest: Ana Lankes, The Economist’s Brazil bureau chiefProducer: Catherine Zengerer

Simon Smith, a curator at the National Film and Sound Archive, unravels the mystery of the lost footage from Gough Whitlam's 1975 dismissal. He discusses how technical limitations led to minimal filming that day and the bizarre vanishing of key ABC reels. Simon reveals intriguing surviving clips, like Whitlam with a megaphone and footage of his filing cabinets being packed up. The conversation highlights the effort of Channel 7 in preserving what little exists, making for a captivating exploration of a pivotal moment in Australian history.

In this engaging conversation, Anna Henderson, Chief Political Correspondent for SBS World News, shares insights on Canberra's political landscape. She discusses Prime Minister Albanese's announcement of a statue for Gough Whitlam amid the 50th anniversary of the dismissal. Anna delves into the Liberal Party's potential abandonment of their net zero policy, citing the struggle to define their identity against rural pressures. With the mining lobby's influence looming, she highlights the risk of losing younger urban voters as moderates grapple with these changes.