Late Night Live - Separate stories podcast

Sometimes described as a 'phantom population', because so little is known about them, the first settlers across the arid interior of Australia are coming to life through a research project which is systematically documenting and dating cultural sites. The researchers say the evidence is very strong that people lived in even the most difficult landscapes well over 50,000 years ago.Guest: Peter Veth, ARC Laureate Professor of Archaeology at the University of Western Australia, leading a multi-party long term research project on the ancient desert people of AustraliaProducer: Ann Arnold

The green energy future depends on batteries. But batteries are not exactly a low-footprint technology; a massive mining and industrial operation will be required to make all of the batteries we need. And: is it worth recycling AA batteries?Guest: Jay Turner, Professor of Environmental Studies at Wellesley College, President of the American Society for Environmental History, and the author of Charged: A History of Batteries and Lessons for a Clean Energy FutureProducer: Alex Tighe

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said the US bombing of Iran had to happen because they had intelligence that Israel was about to take action. He also said the hardest hits are yet to come from the US military. With Iran now bombing various targets across the Middle East and Israel sending ground troops into Southern Lebanon, how long could this war go on? And what are Israel's ultimate objectives in Iran, Lebanon and the broader Middle East? Guest: Gideon Levy, columnist with Ha'aretz newspaper and member of the editorial board. Producers: Catherine Zengerer and David Marr

Behind every great book lies a story — and sometimes, it’s a disaster. In When Books Go Bad, Alexander Johnson uncovers the scandalous mishaps that have shaped literary history. From bitter author feuds and savage reviews, to catastrophic misprints and publishing blunders.Guest Alexander Johnson, author, When books go badProducer Ali Benton

President Trump has put the United States, and the world, into an unpredictable situation: a war without a clear rationale, and without a clear end. In the week before Trump's attacks on Iran, lawmakers in the United States were attempting to rein Trump in. How is the country reacting now that America is at war with Iran?Guest: Bruce Shapiro, contributing editor with The Nation and Executive Director at the Global Centre for Journalism and TraumaProducer: Alex Tighe, Catherine Zengerer

Our regular Canberra correspondent dissects the careful language being used by the Australian Government, in the wake of the US and Israel's surprise attack on Iran.  Guest: Anna Henderson, chief political correspondent with SBS

Bob Carr, former NSW Premier and Foreign Minister and author of Bring Back Yesterday, recalls fifty years with his late wife Helena, born in Taiping to Chinese and Tamil parents. He recounts meeting her in Tahiti, her quiet competence, the shock of her collapse in Vienna, the chaotic early grief and the idea of a ‘leftover life’. He also reflects on reading for solace, politics, and small moments that shaped their life together.

A NSW man who suffered sexual abuse at the hands of a priest in the late 1960’s when he was 13, has won his High Court battle over liability, but had his compensation nearly halved. His lawyers argued the church had a responsibility for the actions of the priest and the High Court agreed. So what could this mean for other compensation cases? Guest: Judy Courtin, Principal and Advocate, Judy Courtin LegalWarning: This story contains details that may be distressing

US President Donald Trump has just given his State of the Union address, saying America is winning so much they don't know what do. But who believes him? Bruce Shapiro dissects the claims, and the realities of Trump's America so far.Guest: Bruce Shapiro, contributing editor with the Nation, Executive Director at the Global Centre for Journalism and TraumaProducer: Catherine Zengerer

Australia's last big drought was from 2017 to 2019; a relatively short drought, but a vicious one. Water storage levels in Sydney dropped by 50% in just two-and-a-half years. In the aftermath of a drought there's always a focus on water policy and preparedness, but it's a focus which tends to evaporate over time. Here on Late Night Live we don't like nasty surprises, so we're checking in on Australian cities' water supplies. Are we ready for the next big drought?Guest: Stuart Khan, Professor and Head of School of Civil Engineering at the University of SydneyProducer: Alex Tighe