After months of talks a deal has been done for a ceasefire in Gaza, with it set to start on the weekend with the first phase to include the release of some Israeli hostages.  

Incoming US president Donald Trump has taken credit for it and his impending inauguration did give the negotiations a boost.

Today, Hussein Ibish from the Arab Gulf States Institute on whether peace will hold.

He says there's enormous relief felt on both sides, with Israelis overjoyed at the prospect of getting hostages back and Palestinians desperate for a break from the violence. 

He highlights the significant pressure placed on Prime Minister Netanyahu by Trump to finalise the deal before his inauguration. 

Dr. Ibish also discusses the complexities of the agreement, including the phased approach and the challenges of ensuring a lasting peace. 

He notes the potential for renewed conflict if key actors are not fully committed to the ceasefire.

Featured: 

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

Key Topics:

• Gaza ceasefire
• Israeli hostages
• Donald Trump
• Benjamin Netanyahu
• Joe Biden
• Humanitarian aid
• Hamas
• Palestinian Authority
• Rebuilding Gaza
• Middle East peace process
• US foreign policy

The Australian dollar is at its lowest level against the US dollar in five years. 

That hurts travellers going to the United States for a holiday, but some economic commentators think it also means Australia’s Reserve Bank should hold off longer on cutting interest rates. 

Our chief business correspondent Ian Verrender doesn’t agree. 

Today, he explains why China and Trump are largely behind the fall in the Australian dollar and why interest rate cuts should still be on the table. 

Ian says the strength of the US dollar, driven by Trump's tariffs and economic policies, is a major factor in the Australian dollar's decline. 

Featured: 

Ian Verrender, ABC chief business correspondent

Key Topics:

• Australian dollar decline
• US dollar strength
• Trump's tariffs
• Reserve Bank interest rates
• Local exporters
• Import prices
• China's economic slowdown
• Economic policies
• Currency speculation

Is there a risk that bushfires as intense and destructive as those that have ravaged Los Angeles could bear down on an Australian city?

The head of Australia’s largest firefighting service says yes, Sydney, with its national parks so close to homes, could see similar devastation. 

Today, the New South Wales Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers, who will leave the service at the end of this fire season, on how firefighters have responded to the threat in LA and how we need to prepare. 

Commissioner Rogers discusses the challenges faced by firefighters in LA, including the impact of strong winds and drought conditions. 

He highlights the importance of timely warnings and the role of AI in improving fire response. 

As he prepares to retire, Rogers reflects on the evolving nature of fire seasons and the critical role of volunteers in firefighting efforts.

Featured: 

Rob Rogers, Commissioner of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service

Key Topics:

• Bushfire risk in Australian cities
• Firefighting strategies in Los Angeles
• Impact of drought and strong winds on fires
• Role of AI in fire management
• Global sharing of firefighting resources
• Fire seasons
• Volunteer firefighters
• Future of firefighting 

For almost two decades Australian artist Mark Whalen has called LA home. 

But last week as wildfires tore through communities, he and thousands of others saw their homes burn to the ground.

Today, Mark describes the apocalyptic scenes he witnessed and the emotional toll of losing his home. 

We also speak with Vivien Thomson who has been a rural firefighter for decades and was a fire captain during the 2003 Canberra bushfires. 

Vivien speaks about the lessons learned over the years and whether we’re better prepared now. 

Featured: 

Mark Whalen, Australian artist in LA

Vivien Thomson, rural firefighter and farmer

Key Topics:

• LA wildfires
• Mark Whalen
• Vivien Thomson
• Rural firefighting
• 2003 Canberra bushfires
• Fire preparedness
• Climate change and wildfires
• Community resilience
• Firefighting resources
• Building codes and fire safety

In 2024, voters in more than 60 countries went to the polls in what’s believed to be the biggest year for elections in history. 

This year it’s Australia’s turn and if we follow the voting trends of other nations, we’ll either kick Anthony Albanese’s Labor party out of office or come close to it. 

That’s because there’s a big movement, particularly in western democracies against incumbent governments.

Today, Mark Kenny from the Australian Studies Institute at the Australian National University explains the major shift in voting patterns. 

He highlights how the post-pandemic economic struggles and rising distrust in democratic institutions are driving voters to seek change.

Mark Kenny warns of the potential long-term implications for democratic stability if current trends continue. 

He says a lot of voters feel betrayed by their governments and there is a factual basis to the sense of umbrage felt by citizens towards their governments. 

Featured: 

Mark Kenny, director of the Australian Studies Institute at the Australian National University and host of ‘Democracy Sausage’ podcast

Key Topics:

• 2024 global elections
• Australian federal election 2025
• Anthony Albanese
• Labor party
• Peter Dutton
• Liberal party
• National party
• Voting trends
• Incumbent governments
• Populist movements
• Cost of living crisis
• Public trust in government

Seven people have been killed and hundreds of thousands have evacuated their homes as wildfires raging across Los Angeles continue to spread, fueled by dry vegetation and howling winds. 

These conditions have highlighted the dangers of climate change and how it’s making life harder for firefighters around the world, something that’s been felt deeply by Australians.

Today, Former Fire and Rescue New South Wales commissioner Greg Mullins on the threat posed by increasing overlap in fire seasons between Australia and the United States. 

We’ll also hear from Maddie Power, a resident of Altadena in LA who has lost everything in the blaze.

Featured:

Greg Mullins, Former Fire and Rescue New South Wales commissioner

Maddie Power, Los Angeles resident

Five people have been killed in wildfires that have been ripping through the mountains and foothills around Los Angeles.

Hurricane-force winds have sent fireballs from house to house, torching entire streets and destroying more than 1,000 buildings.

Celebrities including actor Billy Crystal and heiress Paris Hilton are among the residents whose homes have burnt down across several affluent suburbs, where tens of thousands more people have been forced to evacuate. 

Today, LA-based meteorologist Jonathon Porter explains what’s making the fires so destructive, and reality TV estate agent Jason Oppenheim explains the neighbourhoods most affected.

Featured:

Jason Oppenheim, LA-based real estate agent

Jonathon Porter, AccuWeather Chief meteorologist Jonathon Porter

Two weeks before his second presidency begins, Donald Trump has laid down his hopes to take control of Greenland, the Panama Canal, and even Canada.

He told reporters the United States needs to acquire the Danish territory for national security reasons, and has threatened heavy tariffs on Denmark if they don’t agree. 

Today, ANU professor of International Law Don Rothwell on what Donald Trump wants with these territories, and how far might go to take them.

Featured: 

Don Rothwell, professor of international law at the Australian National University

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has resigned from office after nine years in power.

Despite his immense popularity when he was elected, in recent years he’s faced  increased criticism from the public, with polls showing he was on track to lose badly when Canadians vote later this year. Now he’s bowed to pressure from his own party to step down. 

But what's behind the downfall of the former darling of Canadian politics?

Featured: 

Lori Turnbull, Political analyst and Professor of Political Science at Dalhousie University in Canada

It’s been four years since Donald Trump’s supporters stormed the US Capitol, trying to overturn the result of the 2020 election. 

Now, his win in last year’s election is about to be ratified in that very building, giving him the power to pardon convicted rioters. Will Donald Trump deliver on his promise?

Today, Elie Honig, a former US federal and state prosecutor and senior legal analyst for CNN on how the incoming president will use his executive powers, and what it could mean for the US justice system. 

Featured:

Elie Honig, CNN senior legal analyst 

Both men involved in the violent incidents in New Orleans and Las Vegas on New Year's Day were US military veterans.

It's unclear how much of a role their service played in their violence but data out of the US shows there has been an increase in veterans being involved in violent acts or being recruited by extremist groups.

Today, Todd Helmus, an expert on military extremism with the US think tank RAND on what could be behind the rise in violent behaviour in ex-military personnel. 

Featured: 

Todd Helmus, military extremism expert, RAND